Tim Allen was born Timothy Allen Dick in Denver Colorado on June 13, 1953 and is one of seven brothers. At age 13, he moved with his family to the Detroit Michigan suburb of Birmingham.

In High School, Tim's favorite subject was shop (naturally) and he filled the shoes of class clown. He attended Western Michigan University from which he graduated in 1975 with a degree in Television production.

Tim was arrested for dealing drugs in 1978 and spent two years in prison, when he was released, Tim had a new outlook on life and in 1979, Tim started his stand-up comedy career at the Comedy Castle in Detroit (on a dare from a friend), he hasn't looked back since. He has played at every major comedy club in the US, and sells out concert engagements all over the USA. He has also been featured in several major cable specials including "Tim Allen: Men Are Pigs" (available on video from Paramount), the "Just For Laughs" comedy festival, "Comedy Club All-Stars II", "Tim Allen Rewires America" and "Comedy Club All-Stars VII". He recently has made appearances on "Howard Stern", "Good Morning America", "The Late Show With David Letterman", "The Tonight Show" and "Nick News".

He has worked in advertising both in front of the camera and as creative director for a firm in Detroit. He is still involved with advertising with his company Boxing Cat Productions.

In addition to Home Improvment, Tim has had a minor role as a baggage handler in "Tropical Snow" and has done a video for GM called "General Motors Presents: The Ultimate Driving Challenge" as well as an appearance in a computer game "You Don't Know Jack, Volume 2" by Berkely Systems.

Tim starred in the Disney film The Santa Clause where he played the role of Scott Calvin / Santa Claus [now available on video; in European theatres in early December]. In his most recent project, entitled Toy Story (Pixar/Disney), Tim plays the voice of Buzz Lightyear, the latest greatest spaceman action figure, who is one of a collection of toys who become involved in a series of comic misadventures when their owner Andy isn't around. Toy Story will be the first film to ever be *entirely* animated on computers (became available on video on November 5, 1996). During the summer of 1996 Tim worked on "Jungle to Jungle" (Disney/Touchstone), shooting started in Venezuela and moved to New York where it filmed until July 15, 1996; Tim plays a man by the name of Michael Cromwell. Jungle 2 Jungle premiered on March 1, 1997 with a benefit at the Fox Theatre in Detroit and hit the theatres for the general public on March 7, 1997.

Tim has developed his own line of designer tools. The first tool in the line is an ergonomically designed hammer. Tim unveiled the first in his signature line of power tools on August 13th, 1996... it's a power drill (the Rrr 722) manufactured by Ryobi.

In addition, Tim ventured into writing with his first book, Don't Stand Too Close To A Naked Man (Hardcover: ISBN 0-7868-6134-7; Paperback: ISBN 0-7868-8902-0 both published by Hyperion) and now has published a second titled I'm Not Really Here (ISBN 0-7868-6257-2 published by Hyperion)

Tim also proves that he's a real "car guy" with Tim Allen/Saleen RRRRacing, his very own racing team. After a recent racing accident, however, Tim admits he is now going for a little less racing power.

Tim now lives with his wife and daughter in their two homes, one in the Los Angeles area, the other in Detroit.

Tim Allen Filmography

What acting work has Tim done? Find out here:

• The summer of 1997 saw Tim starring in a movie titled "For Richer or Poorer for Universal Pictures, principal filming began April 28, 1997 in Baltimore, MD... May 7 in Westminster, MD (used as a standin for Lancaster County, PA)... filming began on May 15, 1997 in Muddy Creeks Fork, PA... the film also features other locations in York County, PA. Kirsty Alley co-stars in this film about an unhappy Manhattan couple who are ripped off by their accountant and decide to flee the country rather than pay their back taxes... a wrong turn lands them in Amish country where they hide from the IRS. The film was released to theatres on December 19, 1997. Directed by Bryan Spicer, Written by Jana Howington & Steven LuKanic. A Scheinberg Production in association with Yorktown Productions, produced by Sid, Jon and Bill Scheinberg... Executive Producers Richard Baker, Rick Messina and Gayle Baigelman. Several people have reported that Tim signed autographs and was very appreciative of the fans who came out to see him during the filming of the movie. The film made 6 million in its opening week, placing it at #3 for the week. Rated PG-13 with a running time of 115 minutes.
• Tim spent the summer of 1996 working on a movie called "Jungle 2 Jungle" (formerly An Indian In The City) for Disney/Baboon Productions, Tim's co-stars in this movie are Martin Short, JoBeth Williams and newcomer Sam Huntington. Tim's character is named Michael Cromwell, the father of a 13 year old boy raised in the Amazon Jungle. When he brings the boy back to the urban jungle of New York, havoc ensues... filming took place in Venezuela and in New York City in June and July 1996. The movie is based upon a french film entitled "Little Indian, Big City". A bunch of MORE POWER ants apparently took after Tim during filming in Venezuela... luckily doctors were on hand to make sure Tim was OK. The movie had a benefit premier on March 1, 1997 at Detroit's Fox Theatre with proceeds going to "Lighthouse of Oakland County, Inc."., a non-profit human services agency established to assist low-income families and seniors. It hit the theatres for the general public on March 7, 1997. The film was released on video on July 29, 1997. The film's Taiwan release saw it take $282,000 in six days, a more than acceptable take.
• Tim narrated a number of films produced for the Detroit Zoo, the films are shown daily in the Detroit Zoo's Wildlife Interpretive Gallery.
• Tim will reportedly be working on a live action special effects movie for DreamWorks based on the book "Cat in a Hat"... the film is reported to be scheduled for a summer 1998 release.
• Tim plays the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Disney's "Toy Story". The movie was chosen to air as the Season Premier of ABC's "The Wonderful World of Disney" on September 28, 1997

Take One!

• Tim's movie "Wild Hogs" was released on DVD and Blu-Ray on August 14, 2007
   

  	Buy Wild Hogs on DVD or Blu-Ray *** Check out the video clips below *** United States - Widescreen DVD or Blu-Ray (NTSC - Region 1 - August 14, 2007) Canada - Widescreen DVD or Blu-Ray (NTSC - Region 1 - August 14, 2007)
  DVD Trailer http://www.wildhogsdvd.com		Click to view
  Camping The Hogs get to know each other intimately.		Click to view
  Break his Legs William H. Macy confronts the age old question - what do you need more – hands or legs?		Click to view
  Slap the Bull To know you’re alive, sometimes you gotta slap the bull.		Click to view
  Bonus Clip How to Get Your Wife To Let You Buy a Motorcycle.		Click to view
  Bonus Clip Bloopers		Click to view
  Bonus Clip Actors and Stand Up Comedians		Click to view
  *Wild Hogs video clips courtesy of Buena Vista Home Entertainment

   

• The Biography Channel series "Cult TV Stars" featured episodes on Home Improvement (Saturday February 28, 2004 8pm ET / 9pm PT) and Tim Allen (Saturday February 28, 2004 9pm ET / 10pm PT).  
• February 8, 1998... Tim's page reaches the milestone 100,000 hits!!!
• Tim has signed a contract for an 8th (and final) season of Home Improvement which will see him make 1.25 million per episode, a raise from the 750,000 per episode he made in the 7th season.
• Tim's 1995 yellow and white Saleen/RRR Speedlab Mustang was sold at auction on January 15-18, 1998 in Scottsdale, AZ
• A Harris Poll released on December 24, 1997 shows Tim as being the nation's 2nd most poplular television personality.
• Tim appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on September 22, 1997
• Tim was listed as #13 of 20 wealthiest entertainers in Forbes Magazine in September of 1997... Tim earned 66 million in the 1996-1997 year.
• Tim appeared on "Good Morning America"'s salute to Joan Lunden on September 5, 1997
• Tim appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on August 26, 1997 (repeat)
• "Comedy Club Superstars" talked with Tim and other stars about their early days in stand-up and how they coped with hecklers and bombing on stage... re-aired August 2, 1997 on ABC.
• "Television's Comedy Classics" on CBS showcased some of Tim's classic comedy on July 25, 1997.
• In recent poll "Tim Taylor" was rated by 33.7% of respondants as having traits similar to those of their own fathers.
• Tim played golf in the American Heart Association's "Hollywood Branch Celebrity Classic" held May 19, 1997 at the North Ranch Country Club in Thousand Oaks, CA.
• Keep your eyes open for a drawing done by Tim's real-life daughter Kady in the episode of Home Improvement entitled "The Kiss, and Kiss Off"
• DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!!! Tim Allen was arrested for driving under the influence in Bloomfield Township, MI on May 24, 1997... he was pulled over for doing 70 mph in a 40 mph zone, and tested with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 (Michigan's limit is 0.10). Tim was convicted... put on probation for a year, license suspended for 90 days, a further 90 days of "work only" driving, sentenced to rehabilitation, and fined $500, after his probation Tim is required to do community service work... and has already done a voice-over in a drunk-driving video as part of his sentence. Tim was quoted in the Detroit Free Press as telling the judge at his sentencing hearing, "I had two Miller Lites on the golf course. And while my wife was having her head attended to - somebody hit her with a golf ball or a golf club and she was bleeding - I went to the Men's Grille and had a vodka and orange juice. Then we went up to dinner and I had two more, and that did it."
• Tim attended the premier of "Dante's Peak" on February 5, 1997
• Tim Allen raced in the "Rolex 24" at Daytona Speedway in January 1997
• Tim has received a nomination for "Favourite Male Actor" in the "Kids's Choice Awards"!
• Tim Allen Signature tools will distribute the NACK Auto Knife in North America. The NACK Auto Knife won the Grand Prix award for best invention of the year at INPEX, the gold medal in the tools/hardware category and silver in the household items category... the knife has also won a World Trade Centre Association award.
• An "Entertainment Weekly" poll has rated Tim Allen #42 on the list of the 50 Funniest People Alive.
• Tim has tentatively agreed to reprise the role of Buzz Lightyear in a made for video sequel to "Toy Story".
• Looking for Books, Videos or Soundtracks dealing with Tim... check out our new bookstore (in association with Amazon.com Books).
• Tim participated in the "2nd Annual NHL & Celebrity All-Star Hockey Game on June 22, 1997 in Detroit's Joe Lewis Arena. The event was held in benefit of The Coulier Foundation.
• Tim received a nomination for Funniest Leading Male Performer in a TV series in the 1996 American Comedy Awards.
• Tim made a cameo appearance in the new Rodney Dangerfield movie, "Meet Wally Sparks".
• Tim participated in the "2nd Annual NHL and Celebrity All-Star Hockey Game" in Detroit on June 22, 1997.
• Tim made an appearance on "Politically Incorrect" on January 16, 1997
• Tim read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs" on "Storytime" on January 20, 1997.
• Tim's MORE POWER Chevy!!! Tim's taken car-shopping to the extreme when he went to Chevrolet with a request for a 1996 Chevy Impala SS with some custom modifications. The mods Tim was looking for included a 446 HP Corvette ZR1 V8 engine, custom transmission, driveline and steering. Of course you can't forget the custom exterior, the leather and wood interior, and of course the custom Bose sound system. Auuuughhhh, Auuuuughhhhh AUUUUUUGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
• Tim was recently emcee'd a Humanitarian Award Dinner dedicated to Walt Disney Studio's Chairman Joe Roth.
• Tim was honored by the mayor of Burbank, CA (the city where HI is taped) on the week of October 27, 1996 and received the key to the city.
• Tim appeared with Jonathan on the "Nickelodeon Big Help-A-Thon" on September 29, 1996 at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier in California.
• Tim's second book, "I'm Not Really Here" is now available in bookstores everywhere.
• "Toy Story" is now available for purchase or rental on video.
  
• Tim unveiled a power drill (the Rrr 722), the first in his new signature line of power tools manufactured by Ryobi at The National Hardware Show on August 13th, 1996.
• Tim recently purchased the former site of the Shady Trails camp on Lake Michigan for an estimated 2 million dollars.
• Tim was rated top TV dad by 40% of participants in MCI's Friends & Family Father's Day survey.
• Tim recently placed 9th in an SCCA Trans-Am race... way to go Tim!

On the Lookout for Tim!

Where Tim's been, or will be!

• "Hollywood's Best Comedy Stars" - May 25, 1997
• "E!'s Celebrity Sports" - May 19, 1997

Did I miss an appearance? ... Please E-Mail Me and let me know what I missed.

Awards / Nominations!

Awards

• ACE Award for Best Performance in a Comedy Special; 1990
• American TV Awards - Best Actor
• Golden Globe Award as "Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series - Muscial or Comedy"; 1994
• Kid's Choice Award - Favorite Male Actor; 1994
• Kid's Choice Award - Favorite Male Actor; 1995
• Kid's Choice Award- Favorite Male Actor; 1996
• Kid's Choice Award - Hall of Fame; 1995
• People's Choice Award - Favorite Male Actor; 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996
• People's Choice Award for "Favorite Male Performer in a TV Series"; 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996
• People's Choice Award for "Funniest Actor in a Comedy Motion Picture" for his role in Santa Clause; 1994
• TV Guide Reader's Poll - TV's funniest star; 1995

Nominations

• American Comedy Award Nomination - Funniest Male Performer in A TV Series (Lead); 1994, 1996
• Emmy Nomination - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series; 1993
• Golden Globe Award Nomination - Best Performance by an Actor in a TV Series; 1996

Consideration

• Blockbuster Entertainment Awards - Family Favourite "Jungle 2 Jungle"
• Emmy Nomination Consideration - Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
  The Longest Day; 1996

Contacting Tim

In the Press!

• CNN - The Hollywood Minute, from CNN Interactive
• Tim Allen, from The Late Show with David Letterman
• Tim at the Top, from TIME Magazine, December 12, 1994, Volume 144, No. 24
• Saleen R-R-R Mustang, from Road and Track, June 1994 Volume 45, No. 10
• Home for the Holidays, from Ladies' Home Journal, December 1993
• The Joy of Doing it yourself, from Popular Mechanics, April 1993
• 20 Questions Tim Allen, from Playboy, February 1993, Vol. 40, No. 2
• Q&E, from Unknown
• Reflecting on Success, from Chicago Tribune
• Christmas in Paris, from RTE Guide
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (Transcript)
• The Late Show with David Letterman (Transcript)
• CNN - The Hollywood Minute, from CNN Interactive
• Entertainment Weekly - Tim Allen

Many articles courtesy the Home Improvement Archive

On the Net!

If you know of any Web pages about Tim that are not listed here, CLICK HERE to tell us about them.

• Tim Allen Tools OFFICIAL Website
• Tim Allen OFFICIAL Page
• TNEF Tim Allen Page
• Left Handed Celebrities - Tim Allen (submitted by Sharman Weeks)
• Saleen/Allen RRR Speedlab Racing (submitted by Christofer Hoff)
• BeCkY's Tim Allen PaGe (submitted by Becky Mueck)
• Tim Allen at Sears Point Raceway - October 9, 1996 (Submitted by Camille K.)
• ABC's Tim Allen Page
• Unofficial Tim Allen Page (submitted by Morris Gordon)
  Jungle 2 Jungle (submitted by Mike Tinsley)
• For Richer or Poorer (submitted by Mike Tinsley)
• For Richer or Poorer (Official Site)
• Jungle 2 Jungle (Official Site)
• Tim Allens Standup Comedy (submitted by Carly)