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Who Is Tim Allen?
Tim Allen is a celebrated American actor and comedian who transformed his life from a troubled past to become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. After overcoming a period of imprisonment for drug dealing in his youth, Allen found success as a stand-up comedian, which paved the way for his breakout role in the iconic sitcom Home Improvement in 1991. This success fueled a Hollywood career, making him a prominent voice in both The Santa Clause and Toy Story franchises. Additionally, Allen returned to television with the long-running sitcom Last Man Standing, further solidifying his status as a beloved entertainer.
Early Years and Family Tragedy
Tim Allen Dick was born on June 13, 1953, in Denver, Colorado, to Gerald and Martha Dick, as one of six children. He developed a sense of humor early in life, often using it as a defense against childhood teasing related to his surname. Allen shared a close bond with his father, who instilled in him a love for automobiles. Reflecting on his father, Allen once stated, “I loved my father more than anything… He was a tall, strong, funny, really engaging guy.” Tragically, when Allen was just 11 years old, his father was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. This devastating loss led the family to relocate to Detroit, Michigan, where his mother remarried a successful businessman who emphasized strong values.
Troubled Teen
As a teenager, Allen struggled academically, finding more enjoyment in practical classes like shop. He graduated from high school and initially attended Central Michigan University before transferring to Western Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in television and radio production. During this time, he began a relationship with Laura Deibel, which would last several years. However, Allen also found himself involved in narcotics dealing as a means of income.
Arrest and Prison Stint
After graduating in 1976, Allen took a job at a sporting goods store and later transitioned to the company’s advertising agency. Despite his professional successes and marriage to Deibel in 1978, he continued his drug activities. His criminal actions culminated in his arrest on October 2, 1978, at the Kalamazoo airport for possession of nearly 1.5 pounds of cocaine. After being released on bail, Allen attempted stand-up comedy, making a successful debut at Detroit’s Comedy Castle. On November 26, 1979, he faced court and received a reduced sentence for testifying against his accomplice, resulting in an eight-year federal prison term. Ultimately, Allen served 28 months at Sandstone Federal Correctional Institution, where he honed his comedic talents, often eliciting laughter from fellow inmates and guards.
Stand-Up Success
Upon his release in 1981, Allen returned to Detroit, balancing a job at an advertising agency with performing regularly at the Comedy Castle. It was here that he developed his hyper-masculine persona and trademark call, characterized by three ape-like, staccato grunts. As his stand-up career flourished, he also began appearing in commercials, including notable ads for Mr. Goodwrench. In 1989, he welcomed the birth of his daughter, Katherine. By 1990, his comedy routine “Men Are Pigs,” which humorously addressed male fascination with tools, was adapted into a Showtime special. This segment captured the attention of Disney executives, who offered him leading roles in potential adaptations, but Allen insisted on creating his own material.
‘Home Improvement’ Star
Allen successfully pitched Home Improvement to Disney, with himself starring as Tim Taylor, a family man and host of a show called Tool Time. Before the series debuted in 1991, Allen made headlines by publicly acknowledging his past incarceration. This revelation did not hinder the show’s success, which quickly rose to the top of the Nielsen ratings in its first season. By 1992, he received his first People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Television Performer, a title he held for eight consecutive years. By the third season in 1993, Allen had earned an Emmy nomination, and Home Improvement continued to be a ratings powerhouse.
‘The Santa Clause’ and ‘Toy Story’
The year 1994 was pivotal for Allen, as he achieved remarkable success across various media: he topped the bestsellers list with his book Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, starred in the No. 1 television show, and headlined the box office hit The Santa Clause. His momentum continued, as he lent his voice to the beloved character Buzz Lightyear in Pixar’s Toy Story (1995), earning widespread acclaim. In the same year, he received a Golden Globe Award for his performance on Home Improvement. Despite a setback in 1997 due to a drunk driving arrest that led to rehab, Allen maintained a successful career, earning approximately $1.25 million per episode by the show’s conclusion in 1999.
‘Galaxy Quest,’ ‘Wild Hogs,’ and Sequels
Following Home Improvement, Allen remained active in film, reprising his role as Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 2 and starring in the cult classic Galaxy Quest (1999). However, while his career flourished, his personal life faced challenges, culminating in a divorce from Laura later that year. In 2006, he married longtime girlfriend Jane Hajduk shortly before releasing the third installment of The Santa Clause. He continued to work in film, appearing alongside notable actors in Wild Hogs (2007) and later directing Crazy on the Outside (2010). That year, he returned to voice Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story .
‘Last Man Standing’
In 2011, Allen experienced a resurgence in sitcom success with Last Man Standing on ABC. The series features Allen as Mike Baxter, a marketing director for an outdoor sporting goods store in Colorado, drawing on elements from his earlier career. Despite strong ratings, ABC announced in May 2017 that it would not renew the series for a seventh season. However, Fox revived Last Man Standing for the fall 2018 season, allowing Allen to continue his legacy as a beloved television personality.