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 2025
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).
Marriage, gender differences, family, everyday life, social awkwardness, politics
Website
timallen.com
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.
