Tim Allen

1.1. Birth and family

Allen was born Timothy Alan Dick in Denver, Colorado, on June 13, 1953. He is the third oldest of six children born to Martha Katherine (née Fox), a community-service worker, and Gerald M. Dick, a real estate agent. He has two older brothers, two younger brothers, and a younger sister. A tragic event occurred in November 1964 when Allen 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, who had three children of his own. The blended family, consisting of nine children, moved to Birmingham, Michigan. Allen has reflected that this move was a difficult transition, as he went from being part of a "cool group at one school to being at the bottom [of the social hierarchy at another]."

1.2. Education

Allen attended Seaholm High School in Birmingham, where he developed an interest in theater and music, leading to a lifelong appreciation for classical piano. He later enrolled at Central Michigan University before transferring to Western Michigan University in 1974. During his time at Western Michigan, he worked at the student radio station WIDR. In 1976, Allen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in communications, with a specialization in radio and television production, complemented by a split minor in philosophy and design. Years later, in 1998, Western Michigan University recognized his achievements by awarding him an honorary fine arts degree and the Distinguished Alumni Award.

2.1. Stand-up comedy

Allen began his career in comedy in 1975. His entry into stand-up was prompted by a dare from a friend, leading him to participate in a comedy night at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. While performing in Detroit, he started gaining recognition through appearances in local television commercials and on cable comedy shows, such as Gary Thison's Some Semblance of Sanity. Following his release from prison in 1981, he resumed his comedy career. He relocated to Los Angeles and became a regular performer at The Comedy Store. His stand-up appearances soon extended to late-night talk shows and various specials. Allen once commented on his acting approach, stating, "I can only play a part if I can draw on personal experience, and that well can go dry pretty quickly."

2.2. Television career

Allen's television career is primarily defined by his leading roles in two highly successful sitcoms, alongside numerous other appearances and hosting duties.

2.2.1. Home Improvement

Allen achieved widespread fame with the sitcom Home Improvement, which aired on ABC from 1991 to 1999 and was produced by Wind Dancer Productions. In the series, Allen played the main character, Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor, a father of three boys whose on-screen persona was largely based on Allen's own stand-up comedy act. The show was a massive success, and in November 1994, Allen simultaneously held the top spot on The New York Times bestseller list with his book Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, starred in the highest-grossing film of the year (The Santa Clause), and appeared in the top-rated television series (Home Improvement). For his role on the show, Allen was awarded a Golden Globe Award in 1995. By the eighth and final season of Home Improvement, he was reportedly paid 1.25 M USD per episode. He also served as an executive producer for seasons six through eight.

2.3. Film career

Tim Allen has had a prolific film career, marked by several iconic roles, particularly in family-friendly franchises.

2.4. Directing and writing

In addition to his acting career, Tim Allen has expanded his creative endeavors into directing and writing. He made his film directorial debut with the comedy Crazy on the Outside, which premiered in January 2010. Allen actively promoted the film by accompanying it on a preview tour, performing stand-up acts before screenings.

As an author, Allen has published two books. His first book, Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, released in 1994, became a The New York Times bestseller, a rare achievement for an actor at the time. He followed this with his second book, I'm Not Really Here, published in 1996.

2.5. Other ventures

Beyond his primary acting and creative roles, Tim Allen has engaged in various other media and commercial ventures. He became the narrator for the "Pure Michigan" television and radio commercials, a campaign for the "Travel Michigan" agency. These commercials, initially seen and heard throughout the Midwest, began airing nationally in 2009. In 2010, he lent his voice to commercials for the Chevrolet Cruze, becoming its official voice. That same year, he also became the voice for Campbell Soup Company's "It's Amazing What Soup Can Do" campaign.

3.1. Marriages and family

Allen was raised as an Episcopalian. He married Laura Deibel on April 7, 1984. They had one daughter, Katherine, born in December 1989. The couple legally separated in 1999, and their divorce was finalized in 2003.

Allen later married actress Jane Hajduk on October 7, 2006, in a small private ceremony held in Grand Lake, Colorado. They had been dating for five years prior to their marriage. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in March 2009.

4.1. Drug trafficking arrest and imprisonment

On October 2, 1978, Allen was arrested at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for possession of over 23 oz ^{(650 g)} of cocaine. He subsequently pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking charges. In exchange for a reduced sentence, he provided the names of other dealers, thereby avoiding a potential life imprisonment sentence and receiving a term of three to seven years. He was incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone, in Sandstone, Minnesota. Allen was paroled on June 12, 1981, after serving two years and four months of his sentence.

4.2. DUI arrest and rehabilitation

In 1998, Allen was arrested for driving under the influence in Birmingham, Michigan. At the time of his arrest, his blood alcohol content was 0.15, which was nearly double the legal limit in Michigan. As a result, he was sentenced to one-year probation. As part of his court obligation, Allen entered a rehabilitation clinic to address his alcohol abuse.

5.1. Political views

Allen identifies as a supporter of the Republican Party. He has described his political stance as "fiscally conservative and emotionally liberal." In 2021, he voiced criticism regarding then-former President Donald Trump and those involved in the 2021 United States Capitol attack. He characterized the incident as "horrible, embarrassing, and shameful," suggesting that the rioters must have received inside assistance. He also remarked that the riot had caused people to feel embarrassed to be identified as conservative.

5.2. Philanthropy

Beyond his political statements, Allen is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors. He contributes to efforts aimed at addressing and reducing homelessness.

6.1. Car enthusiasm

Allen is a well-known car enthusiast. In the 1990s, he actively participated in endurance racing for Saleen, competing in a co-owned car, including the prestigious 24 Hours of Daytona. He also possesses a notable car collection, which he houses in a former paint shop located in Southern California. As of 2022, his collection includes a 1956 Ford F-100 that was custom-made by McLaren, a 1965 Shelby Cobra, and a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC.

7.1. Major awards and nominations

7.2. Other honors and accolades

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

7.3. Honorary degrees