Tim Allen

Photo of Tim Allen

Biography

Smarter than his grunting comedic persona suggested, Tim Allen turned his stand-up into one of the most successful Hollywood careers of all time. Early setbacks like the death of his father and a stint in prison gave Allen the drive to pursue comedy, and his affectionate dissection of the differences between the genders - focusing especially on the confusions of modern masculinity - spring-boarded him to stand-up stardom, leading to the …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer

Born

Timothy Allen Dick on June 13, 1953 in Denver, Colorado, USA

Career Milestones

2011

Returned to series television with a starring role as a sporting-goods store marketer on ABC's "Last Man Standing"

2010

Reprised the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the animated blockbuster "Toy Story 3"

2008

Featured in the David Mamet-directed "Redbelt"

2007

Cast in the comedy-adventure "Wild Hogs," as one of four middle-aged friends who decide to rev up their routine suburban lives with a freewheeling motorcycle trip

2006

Reprised role for "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause"

2006

Cast as Captain Zoom, an out-of-shape former superhero in "Zoom"

2006

Played a man who sometimes turns into a sheepdog in a remake of Walt Disney's 1959 favorite "The Shaggy Dog"

2004

Co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in "Christmas with the Kranks"

2004

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (November)

2002

Reprised role for "The Santa Clause 2"

2002

Co-starred with Rene Russo and Stanley Tucci in "Big Trouble"

2001

Played the title role in the comedy "Joe Somebody"

1999

Starred in the cult favorite hit comedy "Galaxy Quest"

1999

Returned as the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the phenomenally successfull "Toy Story 2"

1997

Starred in the Disney comedy "Jungle 2 Jungle"

1995

Provided the voice of Buzz Lightyear in Disney's animated classic "Toy Story"

1994

Made his feature acting debut in Walt Disney's "The Santa Clause"

1994

Published the book Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man

1991

Made his TV debut as a writer/producer on the Showtime special "Tim Allen Rewires America"

1991

Cast in breakthrough starring role in ABC sitcom "Home Improvement" as Tim 'The Tool-Man' Taylor

1990

Headlined his first TV comedy special "Men Are Pigs" (Showtime)

1990

Spotted by a Disney talent scout during a gig at the Los Angeles Improv comedy club

1988

Made his film debut, performing stand-up in "Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen" (only received festival screenings)

1988

Performed stand-up on "Showtime Comedy Club All-Stars II"

1984

Formed Boxing Cat Productions to work in graphic arts, design and commercial production

1983

Began playing the comedy circuit while working days at a Detroit ad agency

1979

Made stand-up comedy debut at Detroit's Comedy Castle

Moved with family from Denver, CO to Birmingham, MI

Awards

2000

MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo in Toy Story 2

1996

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Home Improvement

1996

MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo in Toy Story

1995

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Home Improvement

1995

MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance in The Santa Clause

1995

MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance in The Santa Clause

1994

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Home Improvement

1993

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Home Improvement

1993

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in Home Improvement

1992

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Home Improvement