Allen, Tim (1953-…), is a popular American comic actor. He is known for his friendly, pleasant, “regular guy” style. Allen gained fame as the star of the television comedy series “Home Improvement” (1991-1999). The show became one of the most popular comedies on television.
Allen was born in Denver, Colorado, on June 13, 1953. His full name is Timothy Allen Dick. He and his family moved to Michigan in 1967, and he graduated from Western Michigan University in 1976, majoring in television production. Allen had a troubled youth and served 28 months of an 8-year sentence for selling narcotics. After his release from prison in 1983, he began a career as a stand-up comedian . He also worked as a graphic artist and creative director in a Detroit advertising agency during the 1980’s. Allen’s success in comedy nightclubs led to appearances on television and eventually the “Home Improvement” series.
Allen starred in the motion pictures Jungle2Jungle (1997); Joe Somebody (2001); The Santa Clause (1994) and its sequels, The Santa Clause 2 (2002) and The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006); the science-fiction comedy Galaxy Quest (1999); Christmas with the Kranks (2004); The Shaggy Dog (2006); and Wild Hogs (2007). He provided the voice of the toy astronaut Buzz Lightyear in the popular “Toy Story” series of animated films (1995-2019). In 2011, Allen began starring on the television series “Last Man Standing.”
Allen wrote a best-selling book of humorous observations about relations between men and women called Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man (1995). He also wrote the more serious book I’m Not Really Here (1996).
