Tim Allen

Timothy Alan Dick (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) for which he won a Golden Globe Award and Mike Baxter on the ABC/Fox sitcom Last Man Standing (2011–2021). He voices Buzz Lightyear for the Toy Story franchise for which he won an Annie Award and played Scott Calvin and Santa Claus in The Santa Clause franchise (1994–present).
Allen's other films include Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), Galaxy Quest (1999), Joe Somebody (2001), Big Trouble (2002), Christmas with the Kranks (2004), The Shaggy Dog (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009) and Crazy on the Outside (2010).
== Early life and education ==
Allen was born in Denver, Colorado, on June 13, 1953. He is the third oldest of six children of Martha Katherine (née Fox), a community-service worker, and Gerald M. Dick, a real estate agent.[1][2] Allen has two older brothers, 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.[1][3] Two years later, his mother married her high school sweetheart, a business executive,[2] and moved with her six children to Birmingham, Michigan, to be with her new husband and his three children.[4] Allen has said the move meant going from "being in a cool group at one school to being at the bottom [of the social hierarchy at another]."[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. In 1976 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in communications, specializing in radio and television production, with a split minor in philosophy and design.[4]
== Career ==
=== 1975–1990: Standup comedy and film debut ===
link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Allen_at_1993_Emmy_Rehearsals_cropped.jpg|left|thumb|Allen in 1993
Allen started his career as a comedian in 1975.[1] 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.[7] 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. Following his release from prison in 1981, he returned to comedy. He moved to Los Angeles and became a regular performer at The Comedy Store. He began performing stand-up appearances on late-night talk shows and specials on record and film.[1] In 1998, Western Michigan awarded Allen an honorary fine arts degree and the Distinguished Alumni Award.[6] In a magazine interview, Allen once said, "I can only play a part if I can draw on personal experience, and that well can go dry pretty quickly".[8] His initial film debut was as a baggage handler in Tropical Snow (1988).
=== 1991–2010: Home Improvement and franchise roles ===
Allen rose to fame in acting with the sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1999) produced for ABC by Wind Dancer Productions. Allen played the main character Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor, the father of three boys. [1] Much of the show was based on his stand-up comedy act. In November 1994, Allen simultaneously starred in the highest-grossing film (Walt Disney Pictures'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 one week.[1] Home Improvement ran until 1999, for which he was paid US$1.25 million per episode during the eighth and final season.[9]
link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tim_Allen_(2076447441).jpg|right|thumb|Allen at the 45th Emmy Awards, 1994
In 1995, Allen provided the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the Disney/Pixar blockbuster Toy Story.[10] 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.[11] In 1999, he starred in the sci-fi parody Galaxy Quest alongside Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, and Sam Rockwell.[12] 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. The year 2008 marked his first dramatic turn with a supporting role as an aging action film star in David Mamet's Redbelt.[13]
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.[14] 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 he planned a 2010 comedy tour. Allen also directed the film, marking his film directorial debut.[15]
Allen hosted the 8th Annual TV Land Awards on April 25, 2010.[16] That same year, he returned the role of Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 3 and also became the official voice of the Chevrolet Cruze, narrating commercials for the vehicle, and he became the voice of Campbell Soup Company's "It's Amazing What Soup Can Do" campaign.[17][18]
=== 2011–present: Last Man Standing and other roles ===
Allen returned to ABC with the sitcom Last Man Standing (2011–2021). He played the role of Mike Baxter, a conservative father fighting for his manhood in a house filled with women.[19] The character is loosely based on his own life. After six seasons, the show was canceled in May 2017. 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] The show ended in May 2021 after nine seasons.[24]
Shortly before the 2017 cancellation of Last Man Standing, Allen had been announced as part of the cast of the Netflix original comedy film El Camino Christmas (2017).[25] In 2018, he had a cameo voice role as Buzz Lightyear in Ralph Breaks the Internet. In 2019, he voiced the character in Toy Story 4 and appeared as himself in No Safe Spaces, a documentary film.[26] In 2022, it was announced that Allen would reprise the role of Scott Calvin in a Disney+ mini-series, The Santa Clauses, based on The Santa Clause franchise.[27]
On June 30, 2022, the History Channel series More Power premiered, with co-host Allen reunited with Richard Karn. The show covered the history of tools and included field reports of people who use powerful tools.[28] In February 2023, Allen announced that he would return as the voice of Buzz Lightyear for a fifth installment of the Toy Story franchise.[29]
On March 6, 2024, Tim announced on his Facebook page that he will be starring in a third sitcom called Shifting Gears. His character is Matt, a “stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. When Matt’s estranged daughter and her teenage kids move into his house, the real restoration begins.” The show will premiere on ABC.
== Personal life ==
=== Marriages and family ===
link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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|thumb|Allen (left) with members of the United States Navy, 2010
Allen was raised as an Episcopalian.[2] He married Laura Deibel on April 7, 1984. Their daughter, Katherine, was born in December 1989. He and Deibel legally separated in 1999 and finalized their divorce in 2003.[30] Allen married actress Jane Hajduk on October 7, 2006, in a small private ceremony in Grand Lake, Colorado.[31][32] They had been dating for five years.[31] Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in March 2009.[33]
link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mug_Shot_of_Tim_Allen.jpg|thumb|Tim Allen's mug shot after his arrest on October 2, 1978.
=== Legal issues ===
On October 2, 1978, Allen was arrested at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for possession of over 650 grams (1.43 lb) of cocaine.[34][35][36][37] 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.[34] He was paroled on June 12, 1981, after serving two years and four months in Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone, in Sandstone, Minnesota.[38][39][40]
In 1998, Allen was arrested for driving under the influence in Birmingham, Michigan. At the time, his blood alcohol content was 0.15, nearly double the legal limit in Michigan.[41] He was sentenced to one-year probation and entered a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol abuse as part of his court obligation.[42]
=== Political views ===
Allen is a supporter of the Republican Party, describing himself as "fiscally conservative and emotionally liberal".[43] In 2021, he condemned then-president Donald Trump and those taking part in the 2021 United States Capitol attack, calling the incident "horrible, embarrassing, and shameful" and opining that the rioters must have had inside help. He also said the riot had caused people to be embarrassed to be known as conservative.[5]
Allen is also involved in philanthropic efforts to help reduce homelessness.[44]
=== Car interests ===
Allen is a car enthusiast and competed in endurance racing for Saleen in a co-owned car in the 1990s, including the 24 Hours of Daytona.[45][46] He also owns a car collection, which he houses in a former paint shop in Southern California. As of 2022, the collection includes a 1956 Ford F-100 custom made by McLaren, a 1965 Shelby Cobra, and a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC.[47] While some sources claim the latter's standalone value to exceed $3,000,000,[48] there is no proof of this, and typical sales of the same model are worth far less.[49]
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
Year	Title 	Role 	Notes 	Ref(s)
1988	Tropical Snow 	Baggage Handler 	 	
1988	Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen 	Himself 	 	
1994	The Santa Clause 	Scott Calvin / Santa Claus 	 	
1995	Toy Story 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role 	
1997	Meet Wally Sparks 	Himself 	Cameo 	
1997	Jungle 2 Jungle 	Michael Cromwell 	 	
1997	For Richer or Poorer 	Brad Sexton 	 	
1999	Toy Story 2 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role 	
1999	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 	 	
2001	Joe Somebody 	Joe Scheffer 	 	
2002	Big Trouble 	Eliot Arnold 	 	
2002	The Santa Clause 2 	Santa Claus / Scott Calvin / Toy Santa	 	
2004	Christmas with the Kranks 	Luther Krank 	 	
2006	The Shaggy Dog 	Dave Douglas 	Producer 	
2006	Cars 	Buzz Lightyear Car 	Voice cameo 	
2006	Zoom 	Jack Shepard / Capt. Zoom 	 	
2006	The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause 	Santa Claus / Scott Calvin 	 	
2007	Wild Hogs 	Doug Madsen 	 	
2008	Redbelt 	Chet Frank 	 	
2009	The Six Wives of Henry Lefay 	Henry Lefay 	Also executive producer 	
2010	Crazy on the Outside 	Tommy Zelda 	Also director 	
2010	Toy Story 3 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role 	
2011	Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role; short film 	
2011	Toy Story Toons: Small Fry 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role; short film 	
2012	Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role; short film 	
2012	Chimpanzee 	Narrator 	Documentary 	
2012	The Penguin King 	Narrator 	U.S. version 	
2013	3 Geezers! 	Tim 	 	
2013	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 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role 	
2019	No Safe Spaces 	Himself 	Documentary 	[50]
=== Television ===
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes 	Ref(s)
1990 	Tim Allen: Men Are Pigs 	Himself 	Stand-up special 	
1991 	Tim Allen Rewires America 	Himself 	Stand-up special 	
1991–1999 	Home Improvement 	Tim Taylor 	Lead role; also executive producer (seasons 6–8)	
1996 	68th Academy Awards 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role 	
1996 	The Drew Carey Show 	Himself 	Episode: "The Front"; uncredited 	
1997 	Soul Man 	Tim Taylor 	Episode: "Communion Wine and Convicts" 	
1998 	The Larry Sanders Show 	Himself 	Episode: "Flip" 	
1998 	Spin City 	Rags 	Voice role; episode: "The Kidney's All Right" 	
2000 	72nd Academy Awards 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role 	
2004 	The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius	Meldar Prime 	Voice role; episode: "Win, Lose and Kaboom" 	
2011–2021 	Last Man Standing 	Mike Baxter / Tim Taylor 	Main role; also executive producer 	[51][52]
2013 	Toy Story of Terror! 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role; television special 	
2014 	Toy Story That Time Forgot 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role; television special 	
2015 	Cristela 	Mike Baxter 	Episode: "Last Goose Standing" 	
2016 	88th Academy Awards 	Buzz Lightyear 	Voice role; television special 	
2020 	Reno 911! 	Space Force Commander 	Episode: "Space Force" 	
2021 	Assembly Required 	Himself / Host 	Main role; also creator and executive producer 	[53]
2022 	More Power 	Himself / Host 	Main role; also creator and executive producer 	[54]
2022–present	The Santa Clauses 	Scott Calvin / Santa Claus	Main role; also executive producer 	
Category:1953 births
Category:Living people
Category:20th-century American comedians
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Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American comedy actors
Category:Amateur radio people
Category:American drug traffickers
Category:American male comedians
Category:American male film actors
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Category:American male video game actors
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