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Tim Allen
File:Tim Allen cropped.jpg
Allen in 2014
Birth nameTimothy Alan Dick
Born (1953-06-13) June 13, 1953 (age 71)
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
MediumStand-up, film, television, books
Alma mater
  • Western Michigan University
  • Central Michigan University
Years active1975–present
GenresObservational comedy, physical comedy, surreal humour
Subject(s)Marriage, gender differences, family, everyday life, social awkwardness, politics
Spouse
Laura Deibel
(m. 1984; div. 2003)
Jane Hajduk
(m. 2006)
Children2
Websitetimallen.com

Timothy Alan Dick[1] (born June 13, 1953), known professionally as Tim Allen, is an American actor and comedian. He is known for playing Tim "The Toolman" Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1999) and Mike Baxter on the ABC/Fox sitcom Last Man Standing (2011–). He voices Buzz Lightyear for the Toy Story franchise and played Scott Calvin and Santa Claus in the Santa Clause film trilogy (1994–2006). Allen's other films include For Richer or Poorer (1997), Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), Galaxy Quest (1999), Big Trouble (2002), Christmas with the Kranks (2004), The Shaggy Dog (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), Redbelt (2008), and Crazy on the Outside (2010).

Early life[]

Allen was born in Denver, Colorado, to Martha Katherine (née Fox), a community-service worker, and Gerald M. Dick, a real estate agent.[2][3] He is the third oldest of six children. Allen has two older brothers as well as two younger brothers and a younger sister. His father died in a car accident in November 1964, colliding with a drunk driver when Allen was 11.[2][4] Two years later, his mother married her high school sweetheart, a business executive,[3] and moved with her six children to Birmingham, Michigan, to be with her new husband and his three children.[5]

Allen attended Seaholm High School in Birmingham, where he was in theater and music classes (resulting in his love of classical piano). He then attended Central Michigan University before transferring to Western Michigan University in 1974.[6] At Western Michigan, Allen worked at the student radio station WIDR and received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications specializing in radio and television production in 1976 with a split minor in philosophy and design.[5] In 1998, Western Michigan awarded Allen an honorary fine arts degree and the Distinguished Alumni Award.[6]

Career[]

File:Tim Allen (2076447441).jpg

Allen at the 45th Emmy Awards, 1994

Allen started his career as a comedian in 1975.[2] On a dare from one of his friends, he participated in a comedy night at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit. While in Detroit he began to get recognition appearing in local television commercials and appearing on cable comedy shows such as Gary Thison's Some Semblance of Sanity.

On October 2, 1978, Allen was arrested in the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for possession of over 650 grams (1.43 lb) of cocaine. He subsequently pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking charges and provided the names of other dealers in exchange for a sentence of three to seven years rather than a possible life imprisonment. He was paroled on June 12, 1981, after serving two years and four months in Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone in Sandstone, Minnesota.[7][8][9] Following his release from prison, he returned to comedy. He moved to Los Angeles and became a regular performer at The Comedy Store. He began to do stand-up appearances on late-night talk shows and specials on record and film.[2]

Despite his admitted limited acting range (he once told a magazine his range as an actor is "... strictly limited. I can only play a part if I can draw on personal experience, and that well can go dry pretty quickly"),[10] Allen rose to fame in acting with the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1999) produced for ABC by Wind Dancer Productions, a company he co-founded with producer Carmen Finestra. Allen played the main character Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor.[2] In November 1994, he simultaneously starred in the highest-grossing film (Disney's The Santa Clause), topped the New York Times bestseller list with his book Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, and appeared in the top rated television series (Home Improvement) within the span of one week.[2] Home Improvement ran until 1999, for which he was paid US$1.25 million per episode.

In 1995, Allen provided the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Disney/Pixar blockbuster Toy Story.[2] In 1997, he starred in the family comedy Jungle 2 Jungle from Disney. The next year he returned to voice Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 2 which was a financial and critical hit. That same year, Allen was arrested for DUI in Birmingham, Michigan. At the time, his blood alcohol content was 0.15, nearly double the legal limit in Michigan.[11] He was sentenced to one-year probation and entered a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol abuse as part of his court obligation.[12] In 1999, he starred in the sci-fi parody Galaxy Quest alongside Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Sam Rockwell.

In 2002, he reprised his role as Scott Calvin in The Santa Clause 2. Two years later, he starred as Luther Krank in Christmas with the Kranks. In 2006, Zoom was released, starring Allen as Jack Shepard. The same year, he also starred in The Shaggy Dog and The Santa Clause 3. 2008 marked his first dramatic turn with a supporting role as an aging action movie star in David Mamet's Redbelt.

File:Last Man Standing Cast - Men.png

Allen, with co-stars Hector Elizondo and Christoph Sanders, on the set of Last Man Standing

Allen began narrating the "Pure Michigan" television and radio commercials for the "Travel Michigan" agency. These commercials can be seen and heard throughout the Midwest and began airing nationally in 2009.[13]

In December 2009, he started a preview tour of Crazy on the Outside, a film that debuted in January 2010. Allen accompanied the film, helping promote it with a series of stand-up acts beforehand. During the performances, he told audiences that he planned a 2010 comedy tour. Allen also directed the film, marking his film directorial debut.[14]

Allen hosted the 8th Annual TV Land Awards on April 25, 2010.[15] That same year, he became the official voice of the Chevrolet Cruze, narrating commercials for the vehicle, and he became the voice of Campbell Soup's "It's Amazing What Soup Can Do" campaign.[16] Allen returned to ABC with the sitcom Last Man Standing (2011–2017). He played the role of Mike Baxter, a conservative father fighting for his manhood in a house filled with women.[17] The character is loosely based on his own life, as a Republican father of three girls.[18] After six seasons, the show was canceled in May 2017. ABC Entertainment Chief Channing Dungey denied claims of political bias against Allen, explaining that the network simply could not accommodate the program on their schedule.[19] On May 11, 2018, Fox TV's CEOs and chairmen announced that Fox had officially picked up Last Man Standing for a seventh season.[20][21][22][23]

Shortly before the cancellation of Last Man Standing, Allen had been announced as part of the cast of the Netflix original comedy film El Camino Christmas (2017).[24]

Personal life[]

File:US Navy 100722-N-7705S-096 Actor Tim Allen talks with Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) during a tour of the ship.jpg

Allen with members of the United States Navy, 2010

Allen was raised as an Episcopalian.[3] He married Laura Deibel on April 7, 1984. In December 1989, their daughter Katherine was born. He and Laura legally separated in 1999. Their divorce was finalized in 2003.[25] Allen married actress Jane Hajduk on October 7, 2006, in a small private ceremony in Grand Lake, Colorado. They had dated for five years.[26] In March 2009, their daughter Elizabeth Dick was born.[27]

Allen is a Republican.[28] He has appeared on Sean Hannity's show[29] and announced support for John Kasich,[30] and later Donald Trump, in the 2016 presidential election.[31]

Filmography[]

Film[]

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1988 Tropical Snow Baggage Handler
Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen Himself
1989 Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place
1990 Tim Allen: Men Are Pigs
1991 Tim Allen Rewires America
1994 The Santa Clause Scott Calvin / Santa Claus
1995 Toy Story Buzz Lightyear Voice role
1997 Meet Wally Sparks Himself Cameo
Jungle 2 Jungle Michael Cromwell
For Richer or Poorer Brad Sexton
1999 Toy Story 2 Buzz Lightyear Voice role
Galaxy Quest Jason Nesmith
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins Buzz Lightyear Voice role; direct-to-video
2001 Who Is Cletis Tout? Critical Jim
Joe Somebody Joe Scheffer
2002 Big Trouble Eliot Arnold
The Santa Clause 2 Santa Claus / Scott Calvin / Toy Santa
2003 Top Speed Narrator Voice role
2004 Christmas with the Kranks Luther Krank
2006 Cars Buzz Lightyear Car Voice cameo
The Shaggy Dog Dave Douglas
Zoom Jack Shepard/Captain Zoom
The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Santa Claus / Scott Calvin
2007 Fired! Documentary
Wild Hogs Doug Madsen
2008 Redbelt Chet Frank
2009 The Six Wives of Henry Lefay Henry Lefay
2010 Crazy on the Outside Tommy Zelda Also director
Toy Story 3 Buzz Lightyear Voice role
I Am Comic Himself
2011 Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation Buzz Lightyear Voice role
Toy Story Toons: Small Fry
2012 Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex
Chimpanzee Narrator Documentary
The Penguin King U.S. version
2013 3 Geezers! Tim
Adventures of the Penguin King Narrator
2017 El Camino Christmas Larry Michael Roth
2018 Ralph Breaks the Internet Buzz Lightyear Voice cameo
2019 Toy Story 4 Voice role
No Safe Spaces Himself [32][33][34]

Television[]

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1991–99 Home Improvement Tim Taylor Lead role (204 episodes); also executive producer (seasons 6–8)
1996 The Drew Carey Show Himself Episode: "The Front" (Uncredited)
1997 Soul Man Tim Taylor Episode: "Communion Wine and Convicts"
The Wonderful World of Disney Buzz Lightyear Episode: "Toy Story" (voice role)
1998 The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode: "Flip"
Spin City Rags (voice) Episode: "The Kidney's All Right"
2003 These Guys Narrator Television film
2004 Jimmy Neutron: Win, Lose and Kaboom Meldar Prime (voice) Television film
2011–present Last Man Standing Mike Baxter Lead role (160 episodes); also executive producer
2013 Toy Story of Terror! Buzz Lightyear Voice role
2014 Toy Story That Time Forgot
2015 Cristela Mike Baxter Crossover appearance: "Last Goose Standing"
Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond Himself Documentary
2016 88th Academy Awards Buzz Lightyear Voice role

Video games[]

Year Title Role Notes Ref(s)
1994 Home Improvement: Power Tool Pursuit Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor
1999 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue Buzz Lightyear
2001 Toy Story Racer
2010 Scene It? Disney Magical Moments
Toy Story 3: The Video Game
2016 Disney Magic Kingdoms

Accolades[]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Association Category Work Result Ref(s)
1992 People's Choice Awards Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series Home Improvement Won [35]
1993 Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated [36]
1993/94
1996/97
Golden Globe Awards Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy Nominated [37]
1995 Won [37]
1993–99 People's Choice Awards Favorite Male TV Performer Won
1994–97 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male TV Actor Won
1998/99 Nominated
1995 People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedy Motion Picture Actor The Santa Clause Won [35]
MTV Movie Awards Best Breakthrough Performance Nominated
Best Comedic Performance Nominated
1996 Kids' Choice Awards Hall of Fame induction N/A Template:Included [38]
1997 Golden Satellite Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical Home Improvement Nominated
1999 TV Guide Awards Favorite Actor in a Comedy Won [39]
2000 Annie Awards Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production Toy Story 2 Won
2009 TV Land Awards Fan Favorite (given to the cast) Home Improvement Won
2011 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie Toy Story 3 Nominated
2012 TV Guide Awards Favorite Comeback Last Man Standing Won
2017 People's Choice Awards Favorite Comedic TV Actor Nominated [40]

Other honors[]

  • 1999: Named a Disney Legend for his work on the Toy Story and The Santa Clause franchises[41]
  • 2004: Received a motion pictures star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard for his contributions to the film industry[42]
  • 2017: Inducted into the Diecast Hall of Fame[43]

Books[]

References[]

  1. "Tim Allen Marries Longtime Girlfriend Jane Hajduk – Marriage, Tim Allen". People.com. October 9, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Stated in interview on Inside the Actors Studio
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Rader, Dotson (October 27, 2002). "Facing My Fear of Intimacy". Parade. Archived from the original on November 26, 2006. Retrieved February 25, 2007 – via timallen.com.
  4. "Tim Allen Biography". Yahoo! Movies.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Tim Allen: Actor: Biography". timAllen.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "WMU awards Tim Allen honorary degree". Western Michigan University. June 27, 1998. Retrieved June 12, 2010.
  7. Pratt, Monica (March 3, 1997). "650-Lifer Punishment Is a Crime". Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Retrieved January 9, 2010.
  8. Connelly, Chris (April 1997). "Broken Home". Ladies' Home Journal. Archived from the original on November 13, 2010. Retrieved September 25, 2010 – via timallen.com.
  9. King, Gary C. "Tim Allen: From Convicted Drug Dealer to Hollywood Star". Investigation Discovery. Discovery. Retrieved September 25, 2010.
  10. "Tim Allen: 'Home' is where the heart is". Midwest Today Magazine. April–May 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  11. "Tim Allen Enters Rehab Clinic". CBS News. CBS Interactive. April 17, 1998. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  12. Sutton, Larry; Baram, Marcus (April 17, 1998). "Self – 'Improvement': Tim Allen Enters Rehab". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2009.
  13. "Tim Allen and Pure Michigan". michigan.org. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  14. "Stand Up and Show It Tour Dates". TimAllen.com.
  15. Ward, Kate (March 30, 2010). "Tim Allen to Host TV Land Awards". News Briefs. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  16. Brady, Shirley (September 7, 2010). "Campbell's Soup Shirks Canned Cool for Wholesome Warmth". brandchannel. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  17. "Tim Allen to Join ABC's The Last Days of Man". tvguide.com. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  18. "Tim Allen: 'I'm What They Call Fiscal Conservative' – Washington Free Beacon". Washington Free Beacon.
  19. "ABC Is Reiterating Its Claim That 'Last Man Standing' Wasn't Canceled Because Of Tim Allen's Politics". MoviePilot.com. Moviepilot. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  20. Corriston, Michele (May 11, 2018). "Tim Allen's Last Man Standing Is Returning to TV 1 Year After Cancellation". People. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  21. Levin, Gary (May 11, 2018). "Last Man Standing' resurfaces at Fox, a year after ABC canceled it". USA Today. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  22. Andreeva, Nellie (May 11, 2018). "'Last Man Standing' Resurrected At Fox For Season 7 With Original Cast Led By Tim Allen". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  23. Battaglio, Stephen. "Tim Allen's 'Last Man Standing' returns — this time on Fox's fall schedule". latimes.com. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  24. Busch, Anita. "'Hidden Figures' Filmmaker Ted Melfi Lines Up Strong Ensemble Cast For 'El Camino Christmas' At Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  25. "Actor Tim Allen and wife settle their divorce | Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET". Findarticles.com. March 15, 2003. Archived from the original on November 2, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2010.
  26. "Tim Allen Marries Longtime Girlfriend Jane Hajduk". People.com. October 9, 2006.
  27. Lapowsky, Issie (March 30, 2009). "It's a girl for Tim Allen, wife Jane Hajduk". Daily News. New York. NYDailyNews.com.
  28. Paulette Cohn. "'Last Man Standing' star Tim Allen: 'We're going to drill Hillary'". Fox News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  29. "Tim Allen, Sean Hannity Slam Feds on Debt, Political Correctness, Spending". NewsBusters.
  30. "Tim Allen backs John Kasich: 'He's a Republican a Democrat could vote for' – Washington Times". The Washingtion Times.
  31. France-Presse, Agence. "ABC denies axing Tim Allen's Last Man Standing over Donald Trump support". Telegraph. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  32. Schultz, Marisa (January 29, 2018). "Tim Allen joins docudrama taking down PC culture".
  33. "Review: Free speech doc 'No Safe Spaces' clearly sides with one set of voices". Los Angeles Times. November 15, 2019.
  34. "No Safe Spaces Roundtable "Can't Say It Anymore"" – via www.youtube.com.
  35. 35.0 35.1 "People's Choice Awards". E! Online.
  36. "Tim Allen". Television Academy.
  37. 37.0 37.1 "Golden Globes". GoldenGlobes.org. Archived from the original on August 30, 2008.
  38. "Kids' Choice Awards, USA: 1996".
  39. TV Guide Book of Lists. Running Press. 2007. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-7624-3007-9.
  40. "People's Choice Awards 2017: Nominees and Winners List – Us Weekly". Deadline. January 18, 2017.
  41. "Disney Legends". Walt Disney Company.
  42. "Hollywood Walk of Fame – Tim Allen". walkoffame.com. Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  43. "Diecast Hall of Fame 2017 Inductees Announcement". Archived from the original on November 24, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.

External links[]

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