Tom Dreesen
Who Tom Dreesen is
Stand-up comedian and actor who first broke ground in the interracial comedy duo Tim & Tom with Tim Reid, then built a solo career that included more than sixty appearances on The Tonight Show and years opening for Frank Sinatra. He also appeared in film and television and later toured a Sinatra-themed one-man show. He died 17 June 2026 at age 86.
At a glance
- Born
- 1939
- Died
- 2026
- Came up through
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Podcasts
- Still Standing... and Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White
- On screen
- The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Spaceballs and 2 more
- WTF with Marc Maron
- Episode 1039
Specials, shows and podcasts
On screen
- The Tonight Show
- Late Show with David Letterman
- Spaceballs
- Man on the Moon
- Trouble with the Curve
Podcasts
- Still Standing... memoir, 2020
- Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White book, 2008
Where they got their start
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson more than sixty appearances
Came up the same way
Other comedians in SUCDb who came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson:
Comedians like Tom Dreesen
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Joan Rivers also in Spaceballs
- Al Lubel also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- David Letterman also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Garry Shandling also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Gary Mule Deer also in The Tonight Show
- Pete Correale also in The Tonight Show
- Melanie Vesey also in Man on the Moon
- Tim Reid also on Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White
Career timeline
- 1939Born
- 2008Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White (book, 2008) Book
- 2020Still Standing... (memoir, 2020) Book
- 2026Died
Questions about Tom Dreesen
What podcast does Tom Dreesen host?
Still Standing... and Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White.
What TV shows and films are they in?
The Tonight Show, Late Show with David Letterman, Spaceballs, Man on the Moon and Trouble with the Curve.
Where did they get their start?
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (more than sixty appearances).
Have they been on WTF with Marc Maron?
Yes — episode 1039.
Who are some comedians like them?
Joan Rivers (also in Spaceballs), Al Lubel (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson), David Letterman (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson), Garry Shandling (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson) and Gary Mule Deer (also in The Tonight Show).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- Television Academy — Tom Dreesen ↗ 1939–2026 dates, stand-up career, Sinatra opening work and screen credits
- Television Academy Interviews — Tim Reid ↗ Tim & Tom comedy-duo history
- Wikipedia — Tom Dreesen ↗ Books: Still Standing... (memoir, 2020); Tim & Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White (book, 2008) (read 1 October 2026)
Updated 5 October 2026 · the record checked 25 September 2026