Getting his start as a comedian in local comedy clubs around the area in the 1970s prior to his conviction, Allen landed his own sitcom, Home Improvement in 1991 where he played “Tim the Tool Man,” a suburban husband and father who hosts his own local television show set around manly endeavors, such as house renovations and muscle cars. Set in Metro Detroit, the show went on to great heights, becoming a ratings powerhouse for the ABC Television Network almost immediately.
The show ended in 1999. For the past two years, Allen has been starring in the ABC sitcom, Last Man Standing.
Allen has also found success on the silver screen, starring in numerous popular movies like The Santa Claus, Galaxy Quest, Wild Hogs and the incredibly profitable Toy Story franchise.
Keeping a residence in Birmingham for much of his Hollywood career, Allen was arrested for drunk driving on Cranbrook Road in 1997 and was sentenced to rehab and a year of parole by the 48th District Court.
Publishers note: The above piece was penned by author Scott M. Burnstein. However, the original publication it was intended for decided against running it. ANP is happy to help. Additionally, ANP published a similar piece in 2010 that you may access by clicking here.
19 Comments
We (myself included) all have things in our youthful past we are not proud to admit to doing or saying.
With age comes knowledge and a little common sense. Hopefully!
ACL,
I am the first to give someone a second chance. In the case of Tim Allen, I believe that he did pull it together in life. However, his change in life was motivated by his desire to get out of prison (in my opinion). Only when he was facing life in prison did he take issue with his partners actions. I see a man that turned on his partners for a better deal that only included himself. I see nothing honorable here.
Joe, there are no loyalties or friends when it comes to the drug business. What he had possession of could have led to a very very long sentence. You think any of his drug friends were coming to his rescue? Regardless of his motives he did the right thing and turned his life around. He got a second chance and did pretty swell with it. When a person does the next right thing they will always reap the rewards. The rewards don’t always happen right away but with time and patience love,prosperity,and respect will return.Sometimes people have to be be cornered in a very tight space to choose the right thing.
Wait, is this the same Scott M. Burnstein who wrote the book on the Outfit from a few years back?
Yes.
Joe, I really suggest you bring Scott on as a regular contributor if possible. He really knows his stuff about the Outfit…and obviously Detroit as well.
Interesting idea. I would have to look into it.
Why in the hell would you write an article on Tim Allen?
regarding the piece that was published yesterday, I clearly did not write it. Please refer to editors note at bottom. Thanks.
Let me rephrase: “Why in the hell would you allow someone to put an article on your website about Tim Allen?” Your website is supposed to be about political corruption and organized crime. Not the boring non-relevant past of washed-out actors.
Dear Logic,
We write about everything. However, organized crime seems to be some of our regular stuff.
Speaking of drugs,I’m jonesing for a podcast.
I thought we might have been able to do a show today. However, we will do one on Sunday, November 3. Thank you.
I never found Tim Allen to be very funny. I mean other than that creep 70’s mustache. he probably had at least a few dusty coke bumps in that beast. Tool man.
This is a very disssapointing article Joe. I don’t see the relevance to your site, I’m sorry. The fact that you or Frank, or Ashleigh couldn’t come up with a new article or video in over three weeks disappoints me. What about that piece on Jack Indurante you promised? Or an update on Mags? Although you might want to wash your hands of him, your readers are curious. Also, what a better way to introduce Ashleigh to your readers than with an article. C’mon buddy, show us what u can do.
Well, we updated on Magnafichi in today’s Roundtable.
Nice job Joe! Best Roundtable yet.
Are you referring to the article where you posted under or something else?
Dear Joe, you have a great thing going here. Chicago has always been the seat of organized crime in America. They were the wildest, the most colorful and the most lethal. Our family has been flavored by those spices since my grandfather came over to the USA with his boyhood friend Louie Greenberg, who was trunked by God knows who, after Nitti died. he was partners with Nitti in Mannheim Beer. Grandfather started a custom furniture shop; which father joined after WWII where he served in Africa and then the Isle of Capri. He tried to start a wire service with some mob guys but grandfather said furniture only and threw them out on their ear.
Father was only a pea shooter but he did know them all. At 18 years old, bartender’s night off, he’d take me wit Gus G. to Tufanos (pre-restoration) where we would dine with some apparent heavy hitters as I would look them uo in Captive City where their photos were. We’d retire with The German to his Meat Block for an annisette and Joey’s aunt would bring over some Italian cookies. I was heavily influenced by the Italian culture all my life and learned enough to keep my mouth shut when it comes to names. Some of your wanna be’s should take my advice.
A story told to me by a friend doing time today told me this story: There were two men digging a hole outside of a town in Calabria. Some guy walks down the road, stops, and says, “Hey, why are you digging a hole?”
Silently, the men get out of the hole, hit him on the head with the shovel, bury him, and go home just as the sun sets.
Working on a book called crime, which ranges from anecdotal stories like the above and the last words of Doc Holiday to longer novellas about Chicago crime and the myth that drugs were never a part of Taylor Street. Of course the big boys didn’t want the smaller guys to make that kind of money. How else could they control them?