Last Updated on February 23, 2024
Timothy Alan Dick, professionally known as Tim Allen, is an American actor, filmmaker, television producer, and television director. Allen is best known for his role on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1999), as well as on the ABC/Fox sitcom Last Man Standing (2011–2021).
In the film industry, Tim Allen is most noted for starring in Tropical Snow (1988), Joe Somebody (2001), The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009), and 3 Geezers! (2013). He also had lead roles in Galaxy Quest (1999), Zoom (2006), Wild Hogs (2007), Crazy on the Outside (2010), and El Camino Christmas (2017).
Tim Allen’s acting career also includes voicing numerous characters. Allen lent his voice as Scott Calvin and Santa Claus in the Santa Clause film trilogy (1994–2006). He currently voices Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story film franchise.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Timothy Alan Dick |
Popular Name: | Tim Allen |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | June 13, 1953 |
Age: | 69 years |
Parents: | Gerald M. Dick and Martha Katharine Fox |
Siblings: | 5, including 2 older brothers, 2 younger brothers, and 1 younger sister |
Birth Place: | Denver, Colorado, United States |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Mixed (English, German, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh) |
Education: | Ernest W. Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Central Michigan University, and Western Michigan University |
Marital Status: | Married to actress Jane Hajduk (since 2006); was previously married to Laura Deibel (from 1984 until their divorce in 2003) |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Jane Hajduk |
Children: | Katherine Allen (with his first wife Jane Hajduk) and Elizabeth Allen Dick (with his current wife Laura Deibel) |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 100 million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Comedy, Filmmaking, Television Producing, Television Directing, Endorsement Deals, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 5′ 10″ (1.79 m) |
Weight: | 82 kg; In pounds: 182 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Timothy Alan Dick was born on June 13, 1953, in Denver, Colorado, United States, to Gerald M. Dick and Martha Katharine Fox. His father was a real estate agent, whereas his mother was a community service worker.
Alan’s father perished in a tragic car accident in November 1964. Two years later, his mother remarried and subsequently relocated with her children to live with her new husband in Birmingham, Michigan.
Alan attended Ernest W. Seaholm High School in Birmingham. He then enrolled at Central Michigan University but later transferred to Western Michigan University, eventually earning a Bachelor of Science degree in communications in 1976.
Comedy Career
Tim Allen launched his comedy career in 1975. He began by performing at various local events, including at Mark Ridley’s Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, Michigan. Allen gained widespread recognition after he started appearing in television commercials as well as on cable comedy shows like Some Semblance of Sanity.
In 1978, Tim Allen was arrested on drug trafficking charges. He was subsequently convicted and went on to serve a 3-year jail term.
After his release from prison, Allen moved to Los Angeles and decided to pursue comedy full-time. He performed regularly at The Comedy Store while also doing stand-ups on various late-night talk shows. Allen has continually pursued comedy alongside his acting career.
Film and Television Career
Tim Allen made his television debut in a 1984 episode of Northwest Afternoon. In 1988, Allen made his film debut in Tropical Snow. The same year, he appeared in the film Comedy’s Dirtiest Dozen.
Allen’s breakout television role came in 1991 when he joined the cast of the ABC sitcom Home Improvement. He starred in the sitcom until 1999, appearing in a total of 204 episodes. Besides starring in Home Improvement, Allen also served as the show’s executive producer of seasons 6 to 8.
In 1992, Tim Allen appeared as himself in an episode of Hot Country Nights. He also appeared in two episodes of Maury from 1992 to 1993.
In 1994, Allen starred in the Walt Disney film The Santa Clause. The following year, he voiced Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story.
From 1994 to 1996, Allen featured in episodes of Charlie Rose. And from 1994 to 1997, he appeared as himself in various episodes of Late Show with David Letterman. Allen continued making numerous television appearances throughout the 90s. Notable ones include Showbiz Today (1995), Soul Man (1997), The Wonderful World of Disney (1997; as a voice actor), Spin City (1998; as a voice actor), and Modern Marvels (1999). He also featured in a number of films over the same period, including Jungle 2 Jungle (1997), For Richer or Poorer (1997), Toy Story 2 (1999), and Galaxy Quest (1999).
In 2000, Tim Allen voiced Buzz Lightyear in the direct-to-video film Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins. He then appeared in Who Is Cletis Tout?’ and ‘Joe Somebody,’ both in 2001.
In 2002, Allen had lead roles in the movies Big Trouble and The Santa Clause 2. His next film role was in Christmas with the Kranks (2004), where he portrayed Luther Krank.
In 2006, Tim Allen made a voice cameo in ‘Cars.’ He also contributed to the films ‘Zoom’ and ‘The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.’ The following year, Allen starred in Wild Hogs. He also featured in Redbelt (2008) and The Six Wives of Henry Lefay (2009).
Allen’s next major film role was in the 2010 movie Crazy on the Outside. He also reprised his role as Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 3.
In 2011, Tim Allen lent his voice to two Toy Story films, namely Toy Story Toons: Hawaiian Vacation and Toy Story Toons: Small Fry. The same year, Allen returned to ABC with the sitcom Last Man Standing. He starred in the sitcom until 2017, playing the role of Mike Baxter in the series’ 194 episodes.
The following are other noteworthy films and television shows featuring Tim Allen:
Films
• Toy Story Toons: Partysaurus Rex (2012)
• 3 Geezers! (2013)
• El Camino Christmas (2017)
• Toy Story 4 (2019; as a voice actor)
Television Shows
• Toy Story of Terror! (2013; as a voice actor)
• Toy Story That Time Forgot (2014; as a voice actor)
• Reno 911! (2020)
Other Ventures
Tim Allen has also worked as a television host and author. Allen has been a co-host of the show Assembly Required since 2021.
As an author, Allen published his first book titled ‘Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man,’ in 1994. Two years later, he published his second book, ‘I’m Not Really Here.’
Awards and Recognition
Tim Allen has been feted with numerous prestigious awards over the years.
Notable ones include:
• 1 Annie Award
• 1 Golden Globe Award
• 1 Kids’ Choice Award
• 1 TV Land Award
• 2 TV Guide Awards
• 3 People’s Choice Awards
Tim Allen’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Tim Allen had a net worth of $100 million. Allen has earned his wealth from his various endeavors in the entertainment industry, which include comedy, acting, and filmmaking, as well as television producing and directing.
At the height of his role in Home Improvement, Tim Allen was taking home as much as $1.25 million per episode. That works out as about $1.9 million per episode in today’s dollars.
Allen also earned $235,000 per episode in Last Man Standing. His other notable salaries include $2 million for Galaxy Quest, $5 million for Toy Story 2, and $12 million for Joe Somebody.
Outside of the entertainment industry, Allen’s paychecks also likely come from book royalties and endorsement deals. His book, Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, topped the New York Times bestseller list.
Lessons from Tim Allen
1. It’s okay to start small
Tim Allen is considered one of the richest actors on the planet. However, Allen accepted a salary of just $50,000 for his role in the first Toy Story movie. This was definitely a humble beginning considering that he went on to earn $5 million from the movie’s second installment.
2. Inject some personal experiences into your professional job
In a past interview, Allen claimed that he only accepted acting roles where he could draw on personal experiences.
3. Stay true to your dreams
In 1978, Tim Allen was arrested and went on to serve a 3-year jail term. However, that incarceration dealt no blow to Allen’s comedy ambitions as he returned to comedy immediately he was released from prison.
Famous Quotes by Tim Allen
• A guy knows he’s in love when he loses interest in his car for a couple of days.
• All men like to think that they can do it alone, but a real man knows that there no substitute for support, encouragement or a pit crew.
• Being wealthy when no one else is, is like being the only one at the party with a drink.
• Experience demands you being able to decide where you are going.
• Women are like cars: we all want a Ferrari, sometimes want a pickup truck, and end up with a station wagon.
Summary
Tim Allen is a celebrated actor, comedian, and filmmaker who rose to prominence in the early 80s.
Allen has continually contributed to movies and television series over the years. His current net worth is a staggering $100 million.