Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Pioneer Tom Dreesen, Sinatra’s Opening Act, Dies 86

6/18/2026

22 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Tom Dreesen Dies

Tom Dreesen died on June 17, 2026, at age 86.
He opened for Frank Sinatra for 13 years and was a pallbearer at Sinatra’s 1998 funeral.
Dreesen co-founded the first interracial comedy duo Tim & Tom in 1969 and later appeared on the Tonight Show 61 times.
He led the 1979 Comedy Store strike that secured pay for stand-up comedians and hosted a charity golf tournament.

Summary

Gary Dreesen Dies

The family announced Gary Dreesen’s death on his official Facebook page.
Dreesen thanked fans for the joy they gave him over his five-decade career.
Gary Sinise honored Dreesen on X, citing his 14-year ambassadorship with the Gary Sinise Foundation and his mentorship of Byron Allen since 1975, which led to repeated appearances on “Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen.”

History

Historical Context

In 1968 white insurance salesman Tom Dreesen met African-American DuPont manager Tim Reid at a Chicago Junior Chamber of Commerce meeting and formed Tim & Tom, the nation’s first interracial comedy duo promoting anti-drug messages. Their profile rose in the early 1970s, and in 1979 Dreesen led the Comedy Store strike that won minimum pay for over 300 comedians after a 13-year Sinatra opening stint.

1 of 3

Tom Dreesen Dies

Tom Dreesen died on June 17, 2026, at age 86.
He opened for Frank Sinatra for 13 years and was a pallbearer at Sinatra’s 1998 funeral.
Dreesen co-founded the first interracial comedy duo Tim & Tom in 1969 and later appeared on the Tonight Show 61 times.
He led the 1979 Comedy Store strike that secured pay for stand-up comedians and hosted a charity golf tournament.

1 / 3