Comedian and musician Tom Smothers passes away aged 86

American comedian Tom Smothers, one-half of musical-comedy pairing The Smothers Brothers, has passed away at the age of 86.

The late comic had been diagnosed with cancer, according to a statement from the National Comedy Center in the U.S.

Smothers and his brother Dick found success by combining comedy and music, most notably on their 1960's programme The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, on CBS.

Tom played guitar while the younger Dick played bass, with the duo sharing singing duties. Their onstage performances were known for derailing into comedic sketches and arguments.

In 1968, Tommy Smothers plucked me out of the improv group, The Committee, and gave me my first writing job for his show. Tommy was funny, smart, and a fighter. He created a ground breaking show that celebrated all that was good about American Democracy. We loved you best, Tommy.

— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) December 27, 2023

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," said Dick Smothers in a statement. "Our relationship was like a good marriage – the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another."

In the past, Smothers discussed how the brothers had to fight with censors at CBS across the three seasons of their show, which earned a liberal viewership in the late '60s due to its acknowledgement of politcal issues and booking of anti-Vietnam war performers - such as Joan Baez.

Smothers also played guitar on John Lennon's 1969 anti-war song 'Give Peace a Chance', his first solo single as a member of The Beatles.

The National Comedy Center described Smothers as "a true champion for freedom of speech, harnessing the power of comedy to push boundaries and our political consciousness."