A Michigan native, Allen began his career in comedy on a dare. He could wield colored pencils and paintbrushes just as well as a wry punch line.
During one week in November of 1994, he hit the New York Times best-seller list with his book Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, appeared in the top rated TV show Home Improvement, and voiced Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story.
Home Improvement
The sitcom Home Improvement put Allen on the map. He starred as Tim Taylor, the mishap-prone host of a home repair TV show, and the series became a hit in its first season. After that, Allen appeared in big-budget movies like The Santa Clause and lent his voice to Disney/Pixar’s computer animated smash Toy Story.
When it comes to recognizable TV names, few are as iconic as Home Improvement’s bumbling handyman Tim Taylor. The show, which ran for eight seasons from 1991 to 1999, was beloved for its slapstick antics and hilarious family dynamics. Allen starred alongside co-stars Al Borland (Richard Karn) and the lovable “Tool Time Girl,” first Pamela Anderson and later Debbe Dunning.
Last Man Standing
As Last Man Standing winds down this, its ninth and final season on Fox, it might seem like Tim Allen has said everything there is to say about family, manliness, and power tools. But that would be a mistake. The actor is back and grouchier than ever as Mike Baxter, the marketing executive for an outdoor sporting goods store with three daughters and a grandson.
During the series’ latest episode, Mike hires a repairman who happens to look just like Home Improvement’s Tim Taylor. And naturally, he and Vanessa realize the resemblance right away.
Showrunner Kevin Abbott explains to TheWrap how he and the show’s writers landed this unlikely crossover. The result was an episode that paid tribute to the classic sitcom while also kicking off Season 9 with a big bang. It’s the kind of move that might have been a little too risky in any other era. But in 2022, it’s the perfect way to wrap up this beloved niche comedy.
The Santa Clause
After he stopped performing as a stand-up comedian, Allen found his niche in building things. He started with hotrods, then moved on to designing wheelchairs for kids with cerebral palsy. If it has wheels, he can soup it up. He’s even designed a special wheelchair for Kady, his daughter with cerebral palsy. She loves to ride on the Dragonfly, which is outfitted with anodized aluminum foot pads and black perforated leather upholstery, and can tackle sand, snow and mud.
In The Santa Clause, a limited series airing on Disney+, Allen reprises his role as Scott Calvin, aka Santa Claus. He’s been delivering presents to children worldwide for more than 30 years, but he starts to wonder if it’s time to step aside and pass the reins. He has a new elf-in-training, and his son and daughter from his first marriage (Austin Kane and Elizabeth Allen-Dick). He can also count on the return of David Krumholtz as his beloved cantankerous head elf, Bernard.
Toy Story
From his iconic role on Home Improvement to the beloved character of Buzz Lightyear, Allen is a household name. His filmography includes a mix of comedy and drama. He also uses his voice for commercials like the Chevrolet Cruze and Campbell Soup’s “It’s Amazing What Soup Can Do.”
Toy Story is a classic tale of toys coming to life when their owner isn’t around. It’s filled with a ton of humor and adventure, and it has a great message about the value of friendship. It’s a movie that adults will love, and it’s one that parents will want to show their children.
Allen was a mainstay on Home Improvement until it ended in 1999. He moved on to Last Man Standing, which was canceled in 2017 but resurrected by Fox in May 2018. The show centers on Allen and co-host Al Borland hosting Tool Time, which is a show that highlights skilled makers and their creations. The show is a mixture of drama and comedy, with some satire as well.