Terry Ree, “The Indian” in Williams and Ree Comedy Team, Dies at 75

by

As a gamer who’s grown up with a deep appreciation for the world of comedy and music, I can’t help but feel a sense of loss upon hearing about Terry Ree’s passing. His unique blend of humor and musical talent, alongside his partner Bruce Williams, has been a staple in my entertainment diet for as long as I can remember.

Terry Ree, a key part of the Williams and Ree comedy and music team alongside Bruce Williams, has sadly passed away at the age of 75.

Terry Ree, a longtime partner of the comedy duo Williams and Ree, passed away on Saturday, according to Sharon Hallingdal Williams on her Facebook page. She expressed her sorrow by saying, “I regretfully announce that Terry Ree has passed away this morning.” Bruce and Terry had been working together for over fifty years in their comedy act. Sharon asked everyone to keep his wife Carol, as well as their sons Michael and Rob, in their thoughts and prayers. This message was posted on December 21st.

Ree and Williams refer to their act as “The Indian and The Caucasian,” given their frequent appearances on the North American country music scene, which includes clubs, casinos, and the prestigious Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Their performances combine traditional country music with humor that sometimes strays into politically incorrect territory.

Williams and Ree have shared the stage with country music legends such as Garth Brooks, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Tim McGraw. They’ve made appearances on shows like HeeHaw, Laff TV, and Comedy Central, and they teamed up with Florence Henderson (from The Brady Bunch) for the cooking and talk show Country Kitchen on The Nashville Network.

In 2018, Williams and Ree were enshrined in the South Dakota Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their comedy, as described on their website, is devoid of political correctness and conventional norms. It derives humor from the unique blend of a Plains Indian (Terry Ree) and a Western Angloid (Bruce Williams).

In a 2022 interview with the Citrus County Chronicle, Ree, a member of the Crow Creek Sioux tribe, shared the origin story of their comedy act’s nickname. “We began referring to ourselves as The Indian and The White Guy since nobody could remember our actual names,” he said. “Our act involves discussions about how my land was taken away from me, and Bruce expressing his desire to be my business partner if we ever get paid for it.

Originally from Huron, South Dakota, Ree completed high school at Pierre in 1968. The same year saw him cross paths with Williams at Black Hills State University in Spearfish. After a ten-year stint opening for local musical acts, gradually infusing their performances with sometimes crude humor, Williams and Ree ventured to Los Angeles, eventually becoming mainstays at the Comedy Store during the late 70s.

They first appeared on TV shows such as “Make Me Laugh”, “Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert”, “The Jim Nabors Show”, “Dinah!”, and “Norm Crosby’s Comedy Shop” in earlier times. In a 2023 interview with The Dakota Scout, Ree discussed the reason behind their decision to not modify their comedy and music act that remains politically incorrect over the years.

Ree expressed his heartfelt passion for their work, stating that they’ve been cherishing it for 55 years as countless individuals have chosen to visit them. Their gratitude knows no bounds. They aspire to continue this journey until they are unable to do so any longer.

Read More

2024-12-23 19:24