Net Worth Ranker
What Is Dick Smothers’ Net Worth?
Dick Smothers, a multifaceted American entertainer celebrated as an actor, composer, musician, and comedian, has accumulated a net worth of $2 million. This financial standing reflects his extensive career, primarily recognized as one half of the iconic comedy duo, The Smothers Brothers. Their act, a blend of music and comedy, gained prominence in the 1950s and continued to resonate with audiences for decades.
Early Career and Musical Success
In 1959, Dick and his brother Tom Smothers began their journey at The Purple Onion in San Francisco, marking the inception of their collaborative career. They secured a recording contract with Mercury Records, leading to the creation of albums that resonated with audiences, with “Curb Your Tongue, Knave!” achieving Top 40 success. The Smothers Brothers transitioned into television, with their debut on “The Jack Paar Show” in 1961. This appearance paved the way for roles on shows such as “The Judy Garland Show” and “Burke’s Law,” culminating in their own sitcom, “The Smothers Brothers Show,” in 1965. Although the sitcom only lasted a season, the Smothers Brothers launched “The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” in 1966. The comedy hour showcased a variety of musical guests including George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Buffalo Springfield, Cream, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Steppenwolf, Simon and Garfunkel, and The Who. The show became a vehicle for commentary on the Vietnam War and other political issues. After the cancellation of their show, Dick and Tom continued to appear in various projects. In the latter part of that decade, they reunited for a performance with CBS, honoring the 20th anniversary of their show. Things slowed down in the 90s, although Dick booked a supporting role in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 film, “Casino.” In 2010, the pair announced their retirement after touring extensively, giving their last performance in Las Vegas. However, they would later reunite for one more appearance in Florida.
Financial Challenges and Bankruptcy
Despite a successful career, Dick Smothers has faced financial difficulties. In February 2010, Dick Smothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection due to the fall of the housing market. His bankruptcy filing revealed a debt of $2.8 million against assets of $2 million. The filing indicated that creditors were garnishing his wages and attempting to gather financial information by impersonating him. At the time, he was actively attempting to liquidate real estate holdings in Florida.
Real Estate Ventures
Dick Smothers has been involved in real estate transactions in Florida. In 2006, Dick and his third wife initially listed a property in Sarasota, Florida, for $2.5 million. This property was eventually sold for $1.1 million in April 2010, following their divorce. In 2005, Smothers acquired a condominium in Longboat Key for $1.55 million. He listed this unit for sale in October 2018 at the same price of $1.55 million but did not sell it.
Early Life and Education
Richard Remick Smothers was born on November 20, 1938, in New York City. His father, an Army officer, died as a prisoner of war in 1945 after being captured by Japanese forces. This left his mother to raise Dick and his older brother Tom. The family moved to California, where Dick attended high school. After graduating, Smothers attended San Jose State University and joined the track team.
“The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour” and Controversies
“The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour,” which premiered in 1967, faced controversies. One instance involved The Who’s performance, where the band destroyed their instruments with explosives. A miscalculation led to an amplified explosion that injured Keith Moon and Pete Townshend. In 1967, The Who performed on their show, resulting in a notable controversy. The group destroyed their instruments with explosives after finishing a rendition of “My Generation,” but this led to a much bigger explosion than planned. Instead of just using one small explosive charge on the drum set, three charges were somehow added by mistake, causing shrapnel to fly around the stage. One piece of the drum set sliced into Keith Moon (the drummer), lacerating his arm and leaving him groaning with pain. Guitarist Pete Townshend also suffered – his hair caught on fire, and the blast reportedly helped cause his hearing loss in later life. The show’s focus on topical issues, including the President, racism, and the Vietnam War, led to conflicts with CBS, resulting in censorship and the show’s cancellation in 1969. Despite the cancellation, The Smothers Brothers won an Emmy Award that year.
