Tom Dreesen, who opened for Frank Sinatra for 14 years and became part of the United States' first interracial stand-up comedy duo, died on Wednesday, June 17. He was 86.
The prolific comedian died in Los Angeles, his representative confirmed to USA TODAY. No cause of death was shared.
"He wanted you all to know how much joy you brought him through the years," Dreesen's family wrote on his Facebook page. "He said to tell you that he loved you all. May he rest in peace."
The Chicago native worked as a stand-up comic for more than 50 years and made hundreds of TV appearances, including on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Late Show with David Letterman."
Dreesen is also credited with helping comedians at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California, get paid after convincing the owner, Mitzi Shore, to do so.
The prolific comedian died in Los Angeles, his representative confirmed to USA TODAY. No cause of death was shared.
"He wanted you all to know how much joy you brought him through the years," Dreesen's family wrote on his Facebook page. "He said to tell you that he loved you all. May he rest in peace."
The Chicago native worked as a stand-up comic for more than 50 years and made hundreds of TV appearances, including on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Late Show with David Letterman."
Dreesen is also credited with helping comedians at The Comedy Store in West Hollywood, California, get paid after convincing the owner, Mitzi Shore, to do so.
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