NSU Press Release Print

Norfolk, Va.—Norfolk State University alumnus Tim Reid, a noted actor, author and standup comedian, and celebrated comedian Tom Dreesen will speak at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, October 16 at the L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center, which is located on the NSU campus. Immediately following their talk, Reid and Dreesen will sign copies of their book “Tim and Tom: An American Comedy in Black and White.” 

As part of the School of Business Speaker’s Series in partnership with the Honors College new Lyceum Speaker’s Series, the comedy duo’s talk will focus on their experiences as the first and only interracial American comedy team during a time of widespread civil unrest and violence.  They developed their own unique brand of standup comedy that focused on race and the differences between blacks and whites during the highly tumultuous civil rights era.

A native of Norfolk, Reid earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from NSU in 1968. He began his career as a marketing representative for DuPont. Shortly after, he entered the show business world. For three decades, Reid has been a familiar face to the entertainment industry.  He is best known for his roles in prime time television programs such as Frank’s Place, Stephen King’s IT, Sister Sister, and WKRP in Cincinnati.  

Tom Dreesen has made more than 500 television appearances as a standup comedian including 61 appearances on The Tonight Show. He is a frequent guest on the Late Show with David Letterman and even hosted the show in Letterman’s absence. Dreesen toured the nation as Frank Sinatra’s opening act for 14 years and has written a one-man play titled Shining Shoes and Sinatra.  

            For more information, call the NSU Office of Communications and Marketing at 757-823-8373.