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Early life and career -

Born in Denver, Colorado, on June 13, 1953, Tim Allen started his career as a comedian in 1975 at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle in Royal Oak, a suburb of Detroit.

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Busted! -

Three years later, he was in prison, busted in 1978 after pleading guilty to felony drug trafficking charges. Allen was paroled on June 12, 1981, after serving two years and four months in a Minnesota federal correctional institution.

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Marriage to Laura Deibel -

Allen married Laura Deibel in 1984. A daughter, Katherine, was born in 1989. By 1999, the couple had separated. Their divorce was finalized in 2003.

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From stand-up to sitcom -

Disillusioned and drinking too much, Allen hit the rewind button. He relocated to Los Angeles and became a regular stand-up performer on stage at The Comedy Store. In 1988, he made his movie debut with a cameo as a baggage handler in 'Tropical Show.'  Three years later, he got his big break with 'Home Improvement.'

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'Home Improvement' (1991–1999) -

'Home Improvement' made its debut on ABC on September 17, 1991. It quickly became one of the most watched sitcoms in the United States during the 1990s.

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Sitcom success -

In fact, 'Home Improvement' was one of the highest-rated sitcoms for almost the entire decade, and won numerous awards.

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'The Santa Clause' (1994) -

Two movies in the mid-1990s cemented Tim Allen's reputation as an A-lister. Released in 1994, 'The Santa Clause' was one of the highest-grossing films of that year and the first installment in the hugely successful 'Santa Clause' franchise.

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'Toy Story' (1995) -

The following year he voiced Buzz Lightyear, a superhero Space Ranger action figure, in 'Toy Story.' The character would become synonymous with Allen, who would go on to voice him again in subsequent installments in the 'Toy Story' franchise.

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Golden Globe win -

In 1995, Allen was recognized for his work on 'Home Improvement' with a Golden Globe Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy award.

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Allen is the People's Choice -

The same year, 1995, Allen won a quartet of accolades at the 21st Annual People's Choice Awards. He's pictured with the four awards: two are for 'The Santa Clause' (Favorite Comedy Motion Picture and Favorite Actor In A Comedy Motion Picture), and two are for 'Home Improvement' (Favorite TV Comedy and Favorite Male TV Performer).

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'Jungle 2 Jungle' (1997) -

But Tim Allen struggled to find his form in the comedy 'Jungle 2 Jungle,' a remake of the far more successful 1994 French film 'Un indien dans la ville.'

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'Toy Story 2' (1999) -

In 'Toy Story 2,' considered by critics to be one of the few sequel films superior to the original, the comedian reprised his voice role to equal acclaim. 'Toy Story 3' followed in 2010, and in 2019 'Toy Story 4' was released.

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'Galaxy Quest' (1999) -

'Galaxy Quest' was a deliberate parody of and homage to science-fiction films and series, especially 'Star Trek.' A stellar cast that included Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman won the picture positive reviews from critics. Eventual cult status also followed.

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A Disney Legend -

Allen ended the 1990s by being named a Disney Legend for his work on the 'Toy Story' and 'The Santa Clause' franchises.

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'Joe Somebody' (2001) -

Allen's portrayal of an ordinary guy forced into violence by a workplace bully in 'Joe Somebody' garnered mixed reviews from critics. While billed as a comedy, the film was a more dramatic challenge for Allen, who admitted to a limited acting range.

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'Christmas with the Kranks' (2004) -

'The Santa Clause 2,' released in 2002, was an expected box-office hit. Unfortunately, 'Christmas with the Kranks' flopped big time, with one critic describing it as "a mirthless movie as fresh as last year's fruit cake."

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A starring role -

But 2004 wasn't all bad. That year, the actor and comedian was honored with his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

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'The Shaggy Dog' (2006) -

Allen's unfunny streak continued with remake 'The Shaggy Dog,' which simply failed to wag tails. Indeed, the mid-2000s saw Allen's movie career barking up the wrong tree.

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'Zoom' (2006) -

'Zoom' also backfired, and was declared a box-office bomb. To rub salt into his wounds, Allen was nominated for a Razzie Award, Worst Actor—as he had been previously for 'The Shaggy Dog.' 

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Marriage to Jane Hajduk -

Allen pressed the pause button in 2006 to tie the knot with actress Jane Hajduk. Their daughter, Elizabeth, was born in March 2009. The couple remain happily married.

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'Wild Hogs' (2007) -

Riding high at the box office, 'Wild Hogs' performed well throughout its run with Allen—a car and motorbike enthusiast—providing input to the custom design of his Harley-Davidson Fat Boy.

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'Redbelt' (2008) -

Tim Allen acted against type in 'Redbelt,' a martial arts film directed by David Mamet and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor. While box-office returns were poor, the picture, and especially Chiwetel Ejiofor's performance, packed a critical punch.

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'Crazy on the Outside' (2010) -

Despite reuniting Allen with co-stars from many of his previous films (Sigourney Weaver from 'Galaxy Quest,' Ray Liotta from 'Wild Hogs,' and Kelsey Grammer from 'Toy Story 2')—and the fact that the picture marked the actor's debut as a director—'Crazy on the Outside' drew unfavorable reviews and a lamentable box-office return.

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'Last Man Standing' (2011–2021) -

Tim Allen had been working on and off in television throughout the 1990s and 2000s, but it was with 'Last Man Standing' that he made a triumphant return to the small screen. The sitcom costarred Nancy Travis and ran for 10 years. Allen is pictured on set with Amanda Fuller.

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'The Santa Clauses' (2022–present) -

Allen today divides his time between film, television, and voice roles. He is currently appearing in 'The Santa Clauses,' a Christmas comedy television series broadcast by Disney+ and based on 'The Santa Clause' film series.

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Tim Allen is Buzz Lightyear -

Meanwhile, Allen has taken Buzz Lightyear to new heights by voicing the character in several cameo movie roles and in video games.

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Leisure time -

Tim Allen is a dedicated petrol head, and has always been known for his love of cars. His modest but prestigious collection of classic automobiles include a 1966 Ferrari 330 GTC and a 1967 Porsche 911S. His favorite set of wheels, however, is a 1965 Jaguar E-Type.

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A charitable guy -

In fact, Allen is great friends with another Hollywood car nut, Jay Leno. In 2001, the comedian donated the '56 Chevy Nomad used in his sitcom 'Home Improvement' to E-Bay's Auction for America on 'The Tonight Show.' It was a charitable gesture typical of Allen and his commitment to philanthropy.

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Putting his money where his mouth is -

Allen's a pretty good golfer, a sporting skill he puts to good use when helping to raise funds for various social causes. Here, the comedian is seen teeing off during the 2005 Golf Digest Celebrity Invitational to Benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

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A stand-up guy -

And despite cinema and television stardom, Tim Allen has never forgotten how it all started—stand-up gigs in front of a live audience. He's pictured making them laugh in 2022 at the Hard Rock Live held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.

Sources: (People) (Detroit Historical Society) (Pioneers of Television)

See also: Laugh out loud—the best comedians in history. 

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