Tom Dreesen, a comedy pioneer whose career spanned more than five decades and included opening for Frank Sinatra for 14 years, died on June 17, 2026, at his home in Los Angeles, his family announced. He was 86. No cause of death was given.
His children posted a message to his official Facebook page saying their father passed away early in the morning. “For more than five decades, Tom Dreesen brought laughter, heart, and humanity to audiences across America. A proud native of Harvey, Illinois, Tom built a remarkable career through perseverance, talent,” his family wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
A Journey From Poverty to Show Business
The third child in a poor family of eight, Tom Dreesen was born on Sept. 11, 1939, and grew up in Harvey, a south suburb of Chicago. He sold newspapers, shined shoes and set pins in bowling alleys to help make ends meet from a young age. He dropped out of Thornton Township High School as a sophomore and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 17, leaving the service in 1960.
Following his Navy service, Dreesen worked a series of jobs in the Chicago area, including selling insurance. During this period, he met Tim Reid, the future “WKRP in Cincinnati” star, and the two formed a comedy team in 1969 that would help break new ground in American entertainment. Dreesen and Reid became one of the first interracial comedy duos in the United States, using humor to break barriers and open doors during a time of great social change.
Years later, Dreesen and Reid co-wrote the 2008 book “Tim and Tom: An American Comedy Act in Black and White,” chronicling their experience performing together during a turbulent era. Reid, who spoke with Dreesen by phone in the days before his death, remembered his partner warmly. “He was the kindest human being I’ve ever known,” Reid wrote on Instagram. “I would not have the success I enjoy if we had not started the journey together in the trenches.” After the duo split, Dreesen built a solo career that would carry him to the heights of show business.
Opening for the Chairman of the Board
In 1983, Dreesen began sharing a bill with Frank Sinatra, launching a partnership that would last 14 years and define much of his legacy. He warmed up audiences for some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Liza Minnelli, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and Sammy Davis Jr. The two grew close, and Dreesen served as a pallbearer and spoke at Sinatra’s funeral after the singer died in 1998.
More Than 500 Television Appearances
As a solo act, Dreesen racked up more than 500 appearances over the course of his career, becoming a familiar face on national television. He made roughly 60 visits to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, establishing himself as one of the most reliable stand-ups of his generation.
His friendship with David Letterman dated back to 1975, when both performed at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. Dreesen was a frequent guest and occasional guest host on The Late Show with David Letterman. “He had wisdom and endless stories. Everyone admired him, looked up to him,” Letterman wrote in a tribute. Dreesen’s final television appearance came on the June 11, 2026, episode of “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.”
Dreesen built a steady career as a character actor beyond stand-up. His film credits included “Spaceballs,” “Man on the Moon” and “Trouble With the Curve,” along with the HBO movies “The Rat Pack” and “Lansky.” On television, he appeared in series such as “Columbo,” “Murder, She Wrote” and “Touched by an Angel.”
Drawing on his roots as a Chicago teamster, Dreesen helped organize a 1979 strike at The Comedy Store to ensure that comedians were paid for their work. He later devoted himself to charitable causes, motivational speaking, and veterans’ work, serving as an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation. “America lost one of our great comedians and patriots, and I lost a dear friend,” actor Gary Sinise wrote following news of his death.
Dreesen is survived by his daughters Amy and Jennifer, and seven grandchildren. His son, Tommy, predeceased him. A memorial service is being planned, according to his family.