Tom Dreesen, a comedian who was Frank Sinatra’s opening act for 14 years, died Wednesday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86.

Early Career

Dreesen formed a comedy duo with Tim Reid in 1969, becoming one of the first interracial stand-up comedy duos in the United States. They used humor to address social issues and promote understanding between audiences of different backgrounds.

After splitting with Reid, Dreesen honed a solo comedy act, making over 500 national TV appearances, including 60 visits to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” He also was a frequent guest and sometime guest host on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”

Legacy

Dreesen was active in charitable work, motivational speaking, and veterans’ causes, including serving as ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation. He is survived by his daughters Amy and Jennifer, as well as seven grandchildren.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.