Age, Biography and Wiki
Tommy Smalls (Thomas Smalls) was born on 5 August, 1926 in Savannah, Georgia, United States, is a Disc jockey (1926–1972). Discover Tommy Smalls's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 46 years old?
Popular As |
Thomas Smalls |
Occupation |
Radio disc jockey |
Age |
46 years old |
Zodiac Sign |
Leo |
Born |
5 August 1926 |
Birthday |
5 August |
Birthplace |
Savannah, Georgia, United States |
Date of death |
1972 |
Died Place |
New York City, New York, United States |
Nationality |
Georgia
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We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 5 August.
He is a member of famous jockey with the age 46 years old group.
Tommy Smalls Height, Weight & Measurements
At 46 years old, Tommy Smalls height not available right now. We will update Tommy Smalls's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.
Physical Status |
Height |
Not Available |
Weight |
Not Available |
Body Measurements |
Not Available |
Eye Color |
Not Available |
Hair Color |
Not Available |
Dating & Relationship status
He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.
Family |
Parents |
Not Available |
Wife |
Not Available |
Sibling |
Not Available |
Children |
Not Available |
Tommy Smalls Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Tommy Smalls worth at the age of 46 years old? Tommy Smalls’s income source is mostly from being a successful jockey. He is from Georgia. We have estimated Tommy Smalls's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
House |
Not Available |
Cars |
Not Available |
Source of Income |
jockey |
Tommy Smalls Social Network
Instagram |
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Linkedin |
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Twitter |
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Facebook |
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Wikipedia |
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Imdb |
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Timeline
Tommy Smalls (August 5, 1926 – March 8, 1972), known as Dr. Jive, was an influential African-American radio disc jockey in New York City during the early days of rock and roll.
Born Thomas Smalls in Savannah, Georgia, he attended Savannah State College, and, after a period in the US Coast Guard, became the first black disc jockey in Savannah in 1947 on radio station WSAV.
He owned the Smalls Paradise club in Harlem in the 1950s.
In the late 1950s, he married teen model Dolores De Vega, who years later in 2009, appeared on the TV Land series, "She's Got the Look."
Their first child, a daughter, Sharon, born in July, 1950 from a previous marriage.
In 1952 he moved to New York, and became the original "Dr. Jive" on radio station WWRL.
His weekday afternoon radio shows - with the slogan "Sit back and relax and enjoy the wax / From three-oh-five to five-three-oh, it's the Dr. Jive show" - became popular with teenagers and featured vocal groups, blues, rock and roll and Latin music.
In 1955 he began to present live rhythm and blues revues from the Rockland Palace and the Apollo Theater, and in November 1955 presented an unprecedented 12-minute segment on the nationally-networked The Ed Sullivan Show featuring Bo Diddley, LaVern Baker, the Five Keys, and Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson.
By the end of 1955, he had purchased the Smalls Paradise club in Harlem, and in May 1956 he was elected to the unofficial post of "Mayor of Harlem", with a parade held through the town in his honor.
Then in November 1955, Tommy Smalls and Dolores DeVega had another daughter, Laura.
Soon following was Shawn-nee in June 1957 and finally their son, Tommy Smalls, Jr., in September 1959.
In 1960, he appeared (uncredited) on the Bobby Hendricks single "Psycho" as the voice of the psychiatrist.
In 1960, Smalls, along with fellow disc jockey Alan Freed, was arrested and charged in the "payola" scandal, when both were accused of taking bribes to play records on their radio shows, and his radio career ended.
He later became promotions manager for Polydor Records in New York.
He was also one of the founding members of the National Association of TV and Radio Announcers (NATRA).
He died after a long illness in New York City on March 8, 1972, aged 45.