Timothy Alan Dick born June 13, 1953 professionally known as Tim Allen, is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1999), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe Award. Allen also portrayed Mike Baxter on the ABC/Fox sitcom Last Man Standing (2011–2021).
Tim Allen Biography 2024
Additionally, he voices Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise, for which he won an Annie Award, and played Scott Calvin/Santa Claus in The Santa Clause series (1994–present). Other notable films in Allen’s career 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).
Tim Allen Biography Details
| Born | Timothy Alan Dick June 13, 1953 (age 71) Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
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| Children | 2 |
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| Medium | Stand-up, film, television |
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| Alma mater | Western Michigan University (BS) |
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| Genres | Observational comedy, physical comedy, surreal humour |
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| Subject(s) | Marriage, gender differences, family, everyday life, social awkwardness, politics |
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| Website | timallen.com |
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Tim Allen Early Life
Tim Allen was born on June 13, 1953, in Denver, Colorado, and is the third oldest of six children. His mother, Martha Katherine was a community-service worker, and his father, Gerald M. Dick, was a real estate agent. Allen had two older brothers, two younger brothers, and a younger sister. When he was 11 years old, his father died in a car accident after colliding with a drunk driver. Two years later, his mother remarried her high school sweetheart, a business executive, and the family relocated to Birmingham, Michigan, to be with him and his three children. Allen has noted that this move felt like a significant social shift, going from “being in a cool group at one school to being at the bottom [at another.”
Allen attended Seaholm High School in Birmingham, where he participated in theater and music classes, which sparked his passion for classical piano. He initially attended Central Michigan University before transferring to Western Michigan University in 1974. At Western Michigan, Allen worked at the student radio station, WIDR, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1976, with a focus on radio and television production, and a dual minor in philosophy and design.
Tim Allen Bio
Personal Background | Details |
Full Name | Timothy Alan Dick |
Date of Birth | June 13, 1953 |
Place of Birth | Denver, Colorado |
Education | Western Michigan University (BS in Communications) |
Family | Third oldest of six children, Father died in a car accident in 1964 |
High School | Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan |
Career Beginnings
Early Career | Details |
First Stand-up Performance | 1975, performed at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Detroit |
TV Appearance | Local commercials and cable comedy shows |
First Film Role | Tropical Snow (1988) |
Major Breakthrough | Home Improvement (1991–1999) |
Other Early Films | Galaxy Quest (1999), Jungle 2 Jungle (1997) |
Home Improvement and Role of Tim Taylor
Show Name | Home Improvement |
Character | Tim “The Toolman” Taylor |
Network | ABC |
Years Aired | 1991–1999 |
Award Won | Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Comedy |
Impact on Career | Solidified Tim Allen as a major TV star |
The Santa Clause and Buzz Lightyear Roles
Role | Details |
Scott Calvin / Santa Claus | The Santa Clause series (1994–present) |
Buzz Lightyear | Toy Story franchise (1995–present) |
Awards | Annie Award for Voice Acting (Toy Story) |
Popularity | Iconic roles for both family audiences and adults |
Relevance | Both roles became cultural icons in the 1990s and 2000s |
Later Career and Last Man Standing
TV Show | Last Man Standing |
Character | Mike Baxter |
Network | ABC/Fox |
Years Aired | 2011–2021 |
Show Theme | Conservative father in a house filled with women |
Show Cancellation | Originally cancelled in 2017, revived in 2018 |
Other Notable Films
Film | Role |
Galaxy Quest | Jason Nesmith |
Joe Somebody | Joe Scheffer |
Big Trouble | Eliot Arnold |
Wild Hogs | Doug Madsen |
The Shaggy Dog | Dave Douglas |
Personal Life
Personal Facts | Dates |
Marriages | Laura Deibel (1984–2003), Jane Hajduk (2006–present) |
Children | Two daughters: Katherine (born 1989), Elizabeth (born 2009) |
Religion | Raised Episcopalian |
Legal Issues | Arrested in 1978 for drug possession, sentenced to prison |
Car Enthusiasm
Car Interest | Details |
Car Collection | Includes a 1965 Shelby Cobra, 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC, 1956 Ford F-100 |
Endurance Racing | Competed in 24 Hours of Daytona in the 1990s |
Ownership | Housed in a former paint shop in Southern California |
Total Value | Estimated at millions of dollars |
Political Views
Political Stance | Years |
Party Affiliation | Republican |
Political Views | Fiscally conservative, emotionally liberal |
Notable Comment | Criticized Capitol riot in 2021 |
Philanthropy
Charity Work | Details |
Focus | Reducing homelessness |
Notable Contributions | Actively involved in community services |
More Career Highlights
Project Name | Role/Contribution |
Crazy on the Outside | Director, Producer, and Actor |
TV Land Awards | Hosted the 8th Annual TV Land Awards in 2010 |
Pure Michigan Campaign | Narrator for Michigan tourism ads |
Family and Early Life
Family Background | Details |
Father’s Death | Father died in a car accident in 1964 |
Mother’s Remarriage | Moved to Birmingham, Michigan with her new husband |
Sibling Order | Third oldest of six children |
Influence on Pop Culture
Pop Culture Impact | Describe |
Buzz Lightyear | Iconic character in Disney’s Toy Story franchise |
Tim Taylor | Represented family-oriented TV fathers in the ’90s |
Influence on Stand-up | Known for observational and physical comedy |
Legal and Personal Challenges
Legal Trouble | Points |
Drug Conviction | Arrested for cocaine possession in 1978, served 2+ years |
DUI Incident | Arrested for DUI in 1998, entered rehab |
Future Projects and Roles
Upcoming Role | Details |
Shifting Gears | Upcoming sitcom, role of Matt, a widowed classic car restoration shop owner |
The Santa Clauses | Reprised role of Scott Calvin/Santa Claus for a Disney+ mini-series |
Toy Story 5 | Returning as Buzz Lightyear |
Awards and Recognition
Award | Facts |
Golden Globe Award | Best Actor in a TV Series for Home Improvement |
Annie Award | Best Voice Acting for Toy Story franchise |
Tim Allen Legacy
Legacy | Details |
Iconic Roles | Tim Taylor, Buzz Lightyear, Santa Claus |
Career Span | Over four decades in film, television, and stand-up |
Contribution to Family Entertainment | Key figure in family films and TV shows |
Tim Allen Net Worth
His net worth is $100 million.
Tim Allen Summary
Tim Allen has had a prolific career marked by major television and film roles, including his iconic portrayals of Tim Taylor in Home Improvement, Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, and Scott Calvin in The Santa Clause. His influence spans multiple genres, from stand-up comedy to family films, and he remains a beloved figure in pop culture. Despite facing personal challenges, Allen has continued to thrive in both acting and voice roles, with recent projects like The Santa Clauses and Toy Story 5. His personal life, philanthropy, and political views have also shaped his public image, making him a multifaceted figure.
