I don’t normally get starstruck, but my next guest on The Richard Robbins Show is someone who I’ve admired from television shows like Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson.
Tom Dreesen, a well-established stand-up comedian of 51 years, has rubbed shoulders with some of Hollywood’s most illustrious stars. His career took him from performing on stage at The Comedy Store to becoming Frank Sinatra’s opening act for over 14 years.
Born in Harvey, Illinois, Tom had the simple childhood ambition of simply supporting his family. “We were raggedy poor. We had no bathtub, no shower, no hot water. Sometimes rat infested, roach infested shack. If a window broke you stuck a rag in it, you got holes in your shoes, you put cardboard in it.”
As one of eight brothers and sisters, Tom began shining shoes at local taverns and saloons to make ends meet.
“I love making people laugh.” Tom tells me and at 81 years young, he’s still doing it to this day.
Tom tells me about his career alongside one of the most famous crooners of all time, Frank Sinatra. “It turned into 14 years of 45-50 cities a year and an incredible friendship. He was a boss at first, later he became a buddy and toward the end of his life he became a father to me.”
In the 49th episode of The Richard Robbins Show, I sit down with a man who has done and seen it all. Tom tells me stories about old Hollywood and what it was like to dine amongst legends. He shares some life secrets he learned from Mr. Sinatra and tells listeners about how to live a fulfilling life filled with laughter, friendship and gratitude.
Listen to the Full Episode:
What You’ll Learn In Today’s Episode
- Tom Dreesen’s Amazing Life Story.
- A Behind the Scenes Look at a Life Alongside Frank Sinatra and the Chicago Comedy Scene.
- The Importance of Self Talk.
- Why Positive Thinking is Crucial to Living a Beautiful Life.
- The Power of Gratitude.
Ideas Worth Sharing
If you possess something that you can’t give away, then you don’t possess it, it possesses you. @tomdreesencomic @richardlrobbins Share on X
All of life is about perception. Next is visualization, whatever the mind can see and believe it will achieve. Thirdly, self talk, the most important person you will ever talk to is yourself. @tomdreesencomic @richardlrobbins Share on X
Develop a sense of humour. It's not the ability to laugh at someone else’s shortcomings or misfortunes, it’s the ability to laugh at your own. @tomdreesencomic @richardlrobbins Share on X
Resources in Today’s Episode
- Tom Dreesen
- Still Standing… by Tom Dreesen
- Frank Sinatra
- David Letterman
- The Comedy Store
- Gregory Peck
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Robert Wagner
- The Godfather
- The Magnificent Seven
- Remember the Titans
- The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy
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