For over 60 years, Tom Dreesen, who hailed from south suburban Harvey, made significant contributions to the entertainment world. He made more than 500 TV appearances, including 61 on ‘The Tonight Show.’ Dreesen opened for legends like Smokey Robinson, Tony Orlando, Liza Minnelli, Gladys Knight, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra. For 13 years, he was Sinatra’s opening act, even serving as the master of ceremonies at Sinatra’s 1998 wake and as a pallbearer at his funeral.
David Letterman once praised him, saying, ‘He is one of my oldest friends and a born storyteller. And he’s got such a good heart.’ On Wednesday, at age 86, Dreesen passed away in a California hospital after battling cancer.
Born on September 11, 1939, Dreesen was the third of eight children of Glenore, a waitress, and Walter Dreesen, an Acme Steel worker and part-time trumpet player. They lived in a makeshift home behind a Harvey factory, struggling with poverty and alcoholism. In a 2006 interview, Dreesen recalled his childhood hardships, saying, ‘We were raggedy-ass poor.’
Despite attending Thornton Township High School, he did not graduate. Instead, he found escape by enlisting in the Navy, where he served for four years, traveling the world. During leave, he met Maryellen Subock, and they married in 1958. They had three children: Amy, Tom, and Jennifer.
After leaving the Navy, Dreesen worked tirelessly in construction. He joined the Jaycees, creating a drug-education program for schools and often joined by Tim Reid in their educational presentations. This collaboration evolved into Tim & Tom, the first interracial comedy duo, gaining bookings despite limited financial success. Their act dissolved in 1974 when Reid moved to Los Angeles.
Dreesen struggled initially in Los Angeles, living in an abandoned car and surviving on minimal funds. He persevered by frequenting comedy clubs like the Comedy Store, cultivating talent and connections with future stars like David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Robin Williams. Letterman acknowledged Dreesen’s influence, saying, ‘Tom taught me, taught a lot of us, what to worry about, what to care about.’
Dreesen eventually secured management and moved his family to California. His breakthrough came with an electrifying performance on ‘The Tonight Show,’ leading to a development deal with CBS and consistent work, including lucrative gigs in Las Vegas. In Lake Tahoe, an introduction to Sinatra’s lawyer led to Dreesen becoming Sinatra’s opening act.
Performing as part of Sinatra’s entourage introduced Dreesen to Hollywood’s elite. Despite Sinatra’s passing in 1998, Dreesen continued performing, including his autobiographical show, ‘Shoeshines to Sinatra.’
Dreesen’s charitable contributions were notable, often performing for free and supporting various causes. He lived later years in Sherman Oaks and continued to engage with his roots, often visiting Chicago.
After his passing, tributes poured in. Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts highlighted that Dreesen ‘never forgot where he came from,’ while Gary Sinise noted the loss of ‘one of our great comedians and patriots.’
Dreesen’s life held a long-kept secret regarding his parentage, revealed only in later years. He recounted the emotional meeting with Frank Polizzi, the man who turned out to be his biological father, who expressed regret for never being able to publicly acknowledge him.
A memorial service for Tom Dreesen is being arranged, celebrating the life of a comedian whose legacy transcends humor, reflecting a life of perseverance, talent, and generosity.
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