With their tidy suits, neat haircuts, and a classic brothers act, the Smothers Brothers didn't look like counterculture icons. Yet, the pair became famous for their brand of edgy, provocative comedy that thumbed its nose at any authority, even if it cost them.

Thomas Smothers, the elder of the two, was born in 1937. Along with his younger brother, Dick, he joined a folk music group called the Casual Quintet for a short time before the pair set off on their own. With Tom on the acoustic guitar and Dick on the upright bass, their musical comedy quickly became a hot ticket in clubs and released several successful albums.

Before long the two started appearing on TV shows like The Jack Paar Show, The Judy Garland Show, The New Steve Allen Show, and more. In 1965, the Smothers were given their very own program, aptly titled The Smothers Brothers Show.

The sitcom followed Dick, a rising executive and bachelor, and his deceased brother Tom, who played a guardian angel-in-training. Of course, as you might expect, Tom's attempts to improve life on earth for his charges inevitably led to mishaps that had to be dealt with by Dick. The show had very little music and Tom especially clashed with executives over the fact that it didn't allow the brothers to play to their strengths, which led to the show's cancellation after one season.

However, that cleared the way for what the brothers are now best-known for: The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

This time the format was a variety show. Tom played the dimwitted brother with Dick as the straight man, and the running gag of their sibling rivalry led to the famous catch phrase "mom always liked you best!" The Smothers' show launched the careers of talented writers and performers including Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, Lorenzo Music, and more. In addition to a hip, edgy writer's room, the brothers often had on musical guests that other variety shows of the time shied away from due to their style or political views. Acts included The Who, Cass Elliot, Peter, Paul and Mary, Pete Seeger, and other now-classic artists.

The brothers found themselves at odds with the network censors on a regular basis. Unafraid to take aim at topics like religion, politics, and the Vietnam War, the show was subject to segments or entire episodes being deleted, delayed, or banned in certain markets. In 1969, CBS abruptly cancelled the show due to the controversies. 

“I was so young and naive about what Tommy was going through,” Rob Reiner said. “He protected us while fighting tooth and nail to put things on TV that no one had before."

In 1969, while the show won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedic Series, Tom declined to include his name on the list of writers, fearing that the volatility attached to it at that point would hurt the rest. In 2008, Steve Martin, who was one of the writers who won the 1969 Emmy, presented Tom with a special Emmy to recognize his work as well. Two years later, the brothers entered the TV Academy Hall of Fame.

"Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner," Dick Smothers said. "I am forever grateful to have spent a lifetime together with him, on and off stage, for over 60 years. Our relationship was like a good marriage — the longer we were together, the more we loved and respected one another. We were truly blessed."

The groundbreaking comedian, actor, and musician was 86.