Tom Dreesen, Frank Sinatra's Opening Act for 14 Years, Dies at 86
Tom Dreesen, who performed as Frank Sinatra's opening act for 14 years beginning in 1983, has died at age 86. "He had wisdom and endless stories.
Tom Dreesen, the stand-up comedian who served as Frank Sinatra's opening performer for 14 years, has died at 86. His final television appearance came just one week before his death on Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed. His family announced the news via Facebook, with no cause of death disclosed.
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A Career Spanning Decades
Dreesen launched his comedy career in the late 1960s alongside actor and comedian Tim Reid as part of Tim and Tom, which became the first biracial stand-up comedy duo in the United States. After establishing himself independently in the mid-1970s, he opened for major entertainers including Liza Minnelli, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, and Sammy Davis Jr. Beginning in 1983, Dreesen toured alongside Sinatra for the next 14 years, appearing at the legendary singer's final concert in 1995.
Throughout his lifetime, Dreesen made more than 500 appearances on national television. He guest-hosted The Late Show with David Letterman and frequently performed on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. His most recent television credits included Byron Allen's Comics Unleashed, a program that replaced Colbert's late-night slot last month.
Tributes from Comedy Peers
Dreesen maintained a mentorship relationship with Byron Allen, who transitioned from stand-up comedy to become a billionaire media executive. Allen credited Dreesen with guiding his career since 1975. David Letterman, now 79, posted a tribute on Instagram, recalling their first meeting at the Comedy Store in 1975. "Tom was the first comedian I met at Comedy Store in 1975," Letterman wrote. "He had wisdom and endless stories. Everyone admired him, looked up to him and wondered if he ever stopped talking."
Dreesen spoke about his relationship with Sinatra with particular warmth during interviews. "In a lot of ways, he was like a father to me," Dreeson recalled. "I didn't have a father that really cared that much where I was and what I did. But Frank would give me advice and counsel and then he was a buddy in a lot of ways."
Who was Tom Dreesen and what was his connection to Frank Sinatra?+
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