They say that some of the funniest people have some of the saddest stories; perhaps that’s why comedy is so important to them. It is a necessary hopeful optimism to triumph over tragedy.Tim Allenlost his father at theyoung age of 11when his car was hit by a drunk driver. Allen also has been outspoken and transparent about his past struggles with substance use (and decades of sobriety). Allen used his past experiences to propel himself forward and soon became an international celebrity with an extremely successful career in the entertainment industry.
Starting out as a stand-up comedian, Allen has gone on to write, direct, produce, and act in many hit television series and blockbuster films. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling bookDon’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man. Hisaccessible style of humorand unique masculine presentation have solidified his personal brand of performance and made him a Hollywood veteran like no other. Almost everything he touches finds success with audiences. These are 10 of the best movies and TV shows featuring Tim Allen.
10’Christmas with the Kranks' (2004)
Appeared as Luther Krank
Long before the pandemic ever prevented millennials from going home for Christmas, there was the Krank family’s dilemma. Luther (Tim Allen) and Nora Krank’s (Jamie Lee Curtis) daughter, Blair (Julie Gonzalo) informs her parents that she is not coming home for Christmas. So, they decide to cancel Christmas altogether, which does not sit well with their festive suburban neighborhood. The situation becomes even more unpredictable again when Blair suddenly changes her mind and decides to come home after all, leaving Luther and Nora scrambling to procure all the festive cheer in a matter of hours.
Dan Aykroyd,Cheech Marin, andM. Emmet Walshadd hilarious supporting performances to this Christmas-themed comedy. Despite mixed reviews from critics, it has become a holiday favorite with audiences, and Allen plays his role spectacularly with the timbre of physical comedy he is famous for.
Christmas With the Kranks
9’Last Man Standing' (2011-2021)
Appeared as Mike Baxter
Slightly similar to his hit TV seriesHome Improvement, but with a fun twist, Allen’s sitcomLast Man Standingcast him as the father of three girls, instead of three boys. This gender swap made for great comedic tension as his delightfully masculine character, Mike Baxter found himself outnumbered with so many women at home.
Luckily, Mike (Allen) could take refuge at his job,working at a sporting goods store. Allen’s quick-witted banter and deadpan delivery worked its way into audiences' hearts again, and it became a favorite primetime watch for many fans.
Last Man Standing
8’Wild Hogs' (2007)
Appeared as Dr. Doug Madsen
With a cast of costars such asJohn Travolta,Martin Lawrence, andWilliam H. Macy, the 2007 adventure-comedyWild Hogsis sure to be entertaining. Watching the talented cast interact with each other is highly amusing, as they portray older suburban motorcycle enthusiasts who decide to form their own cycling group. Living fairly uneventful and mundane lives, they decide to take a walk on the wild side.
However, the quartet gets more than they bargained for on the open road, and hilarity ensues as all the misadventures play out in the amusing film. Allen’s bravado works specifically well for his character, and the onscreen chemistry with his costars makes him not only a talented lead actor, buta great ensemble performeras well. Mixed reviews from critics didn’t stop the film from grossing over $250 million worldwide, nearly five times its budget.
7’More Power' (2022-)
Appeared as himself (and executive produced)
Allen’s character on the hit seriesHome Improvementloved power tools, so the History seriesMore Poweris agreat fit for him and his many fans. Allen has produced some episodes of the show and plays one of the hosts. The informational program features an opportunity for him to reunite withHome Improvementcostar,Richard Karn.
The duo is joined by home renovation expertApril Wilkersonas they explore some of the most innovative power tool technology and mechanicsthat make modern life possible. Although there is only one season filmed so far, there may be more episodes to come in the future.
Watch on History
6’Jungle 2 Jungle' (1997)
Appeared as Michael Cromwell
The phrase “It’s a jungle out there,” takes on a whole new meaning in the 1997 family comedy remakeJungle 2 Jungle. Allen stars as successful businessperson Michael Cromwell. Michael enjoys a life of prominence in New York City with his fashionable fiancé, Charlotte (Lolita Davidovich). His life soon takes many unexpected turns in profound ways he could never have imagined when he has to travel to a remote village in the Amazon where his estranged wife, Patricia Cromwell (JoBeth Williams) has been living. As he presents legal papers to Patricia to finally have their divorce finalized so he can marry Charlotte, she hits him with the startling news that he has a son (Sam Huntington).
Allen’s comedic delivery coupled with costarMartin Short’s zany antics makes the film a great one to watch. His performance gets to explore more tenderhearted scenes as well when his characterfinally learns to bondwith his adolescent son, Mimi-Siku (Huntington). Despite unenthusiastic reviews from critics at the time, the film was a financial success.
Watch on Disney +
5’For Richer or Poorer' (1997)
When most people say their wedding vows, the phrase “for richer or poorer” is included. But how many couples get to go through such extremes? Brad (Allen) and Caroline Sexton (Kirstie Alley) do in the romantic comedyFor Richer or Poorer. A wealthy couple enjoying a life of luxury, their marriage appears perfect from the outside, butbehind the glittering facade, they are deep in debt and estranged from each other. Things go from bad to worse when their accountant, Bob Lachman (Wayne Knight) steals millions of dollars from them via tax fraud.
As the couple goes on the run to evade IRS agents, played byLarry MillerandMiguel A. Núñez Jr., they find shelter in a most unlikely place, an Amish community. As they struggle to fit into the Amish way of life, they begin to reflect on their marital and societal misgivings. The immensely talented cast delivers strong performances in this heartfelt comedy. Though the film was not well-received in general by critics at the time, it’s worth notingGene SiskelandRoger Ebertboth praised the two lead performances.This is a hidden gem, and one worth adding to your watchlist.
Watch on Tubi
4’Home Improvement' (1991-1999)
Appeared as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor
Although Allen started in the entertainment industry as a stand-up comic, he soon landed a role that would define the rest of his career: Tim “The Toolman” Tayloron the popular ’90s sitcomHome Improvement. The series follows Allen’s character as he faces various exploits both at home and at work, where he is the host of a home improvement show called “Tool Time.”
Allen’s inspired performance, exploring all the nuances that come with the societal expectations of manhood created an iconic character that remains a staple in the history of sitcom television. Many catchphrases were coined from the show, including Allen’s grunt, which becamesynonymous with the show. The series also featured wise and visually obscured neighbor Wilson (Earl Hindman) and costar Richard Karn as plaid-decked cohost, Al Borland. The show launched the career ofJonathan Taylor Thomas, who played one of Tim’s three sons, and among the laughs and silly situations, featured some poignant and honestly vulnerable scenarios as well.
Home Improvement
3’The Santa Clause' (1994)
Appeared as Scott Calvin
When divorced father Scott Calvin (Allen) accidentally scares Santa into falling off his rooftop, he is unwittingly obliged to take his place as Father Christmas. As Scott begins to accept his new role, he grows closer to his son, Charlie (Eric Lloyd), and discovers that themagic of Christmas is for everyone, whether you’re a child or an adult.
Coming up with a new way to spin a classic topic is no small task. The writers ofThe Santa Clausewere ingenious when they came up with the idea that the “Claus” part was a legal clause, causing the new wearer of the Santa suit to become the man himself. The costumes, set, and makeup departments portray whimsical ideas without going overboard or making the themes overdone. Allen’s performance is one of great range as the storyline calls for his character to go on quitean emotional and magical journey.
The Santa Clause
When a man inadvertently makes Santa fall off his roof on Christmas Eve, he finds himself magically recruited to take his place.
2’Toy Story' (1995)
Appeared as Buzz Lightyear
The cherished animated filmToy Storyfeatures Tim Allen among a cornucopia of talent. TheAcademy Award-winning filmwould inspire audiences everywhere with its innocent humor and touching, emotive scenes. The widespread admiration and success of the first fully CGI movie (Pixar’s first feature) would go on to createits own franchisethat included three universally acclaimed film sequels and several TV specials.
In the debut movie, Allen’s character Buzz Lightyear, a sentient astronaut toy, has to come to grips with reality when a fellow toy, Woody (Tom Hanks) tells him the true nature of his existence. A throwback to a time when space exploration enthusiasm swept the country, the idea to feature an astronaut as an action figure was brilliant. Juxtaposed with another famous era of American nostalgia, westerns, the cowboy character of Woody (Hanks) makes for a charming odd couple partner to Allen’s Buzz. Themovie is rated 100%on Rotten Tomatoes andcontinues to be a fan favorite.
A cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy’s bedroom.
1’Galaxy Quest' (1999)
Appeared as Jason Nesmith
Oscar-nominated writer and directorDavid Mametlisted three movies he considered to be “perfect”, and one of the distinguished wasGalaxy Quest. The late ’90s gem follows the actors of a space-themed television series as they are taken into outer space for real and asked to help a race of aliens called Thermians. The actors must face challengesboth from without and from withinas they go on the adventure that no amount of table reads could have prepared them for.
Tim Allen joins a dynamic cast that includesAlan Rickman,Sigourney Weaver,Tony Shalhoub,Sam Rockwell, andDaryl Mitchell. Each actor brings their own flavor of performance to the movie, which makes for a rich and multifaceted film. Somehow, like lightning in a bottle, the various personalities, strengths, and abilities of all the actors combine in this singular project to createsomething greater than the sum of its parts. Many fans of the film have saidthatGalaxy Questisthe bestStar Trekmovie ever made,Star TrekactorWil Wheatonamong them. Allen shows great gravitas and reaches levels of emoting that simply aren’t seen in his other films. His role of Jason Nesmith experiences regret, pride, shame, self-loathing, and confidence in the film,making his performance a complexand fascinating one to watch.
Galaxy Quest
NEXT:Tim Allen’s ‘Shifting Gears’ Adds Daryl Mitchell and Froy Gutierrez
