Tim Allen's Controversial Past: From Prison Time to Allegations of Misconduct
Discover the intriguing journey of Tim Allen, from his early days in comedy to overcoming addiction Uncover controversies, political affiliations, and allegations surrounding the beloved actor Explore the darker side of fame and his turbulent relationships with co-stars
Tim Allen has portrayed family-friendly characters on screen, but he has also faced his own controversies. Prior to his career as a comedian and actor, Allen battled with alcohol and drug addiction from a young age.
"Since my father passed away [when I was 11], I spent my time playing games with people and telling adults what they wanted to hear, all while stealing their alcohol," the Santa Clauses actor revealed during a March 2021 episode of the “WTF With Marc Maron” podcast. "I was essentially like Eddie Haskell [from Leave It to Beaver]. 'Yes, Mrs. Cleaver. No, Mrs. Cleaver.' I knew exactly how to please adults - make your bed, be polite, use a napkin - and then I’d go and take everything in the house."
By the age of 25, Allen was arrested in Michigan on drug trafficking charges. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in federal prison. After being released in the 1980s, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Hollywood and made the decision to get sober.
"I have been living a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle for approximately 22 years," he shared during an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show in March 2020. "When I had money and fame, people would assist and enable me to continue down that path. The program I follow emphasizes the importance of giving back as soon as you receive help. Recovery is a gradual process and requires daily dedication. It's something that I have to reaffirm every single day." For more on Allen's most controversial moments over the years, continue reading.
Life Behind Bars
"We were a group of college students — a few of us who went overboard," Allen explained to podcast host Marc Maron in 2021 regarding the arrest for cocaine possession. "Two of us took the fall for about 20 guys."
After being arrested, Allen was moved between three different prisons. “I really had to learn how to take things one day at a time and how to keep my mouth shut,” he reflected on his experience. “I followed the rules and played along. You have to be careful with your sense of humor in prison. Being light-hearted and doing funny voices can be entertaining, but sarcasm doesn’t go down well. I learned that the hard way.”
He went on to say: “There were some good times. Saturdays meant better food. Eventually, I moved from a temporary holding cell to having my own cell. I remember calling my mom at that time. I proudly told her that I had my own cell now.”
Allen was released on parole in 1981.
Dealing With Addiction
The Toy Story voice actor admitted on Maron's podcast that he now regrets his past drunken behavior, which included driving friends home while intoxicated as a teenager. In 1997, Allen was arrested in Michigan for driving under the influence. At the time, he was starring in Home Improvement and subsequently pleaded guilty to the charges. He voluntarily entered a rehab facility after being sentenced to court-ordered counseling.
Uncensored on the Set
Allen plays Scott Calvin/Santa Claus in the Santa Clause franchise, which has required working with multiple child actors.
"I'm not a huge fan of kids, to be honest. I have my own and I like them, sort of. But I'm not really a fan of other people's kids," he admitted during an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show in January 2021. "It was like dealing with cats. They just wouldn't leave me alone. I'm dressed as Santa Claus, I'm fully transformed into Santa Claus. We had a North Pole set."
At one point, Allen overheard two kids bickering during a serious scene. "Fifteen takes later, these kids said one more word and I let out the loudest F-bomb,” he recounted. “I turned around and there are twelve kids looking at me like I had just ripped their legs off. Their Santa had just yelled the F-bomb."
Allen said Disney attempted to calm the kids down by asserting that he used a Swedish word instead, but apparently “nobody bought it.”
Sharing Political Affiliations
Allen's open embrace of his politically conservative views has been evident for some time. However, in 2021, some of his followers were disheartened when he expressed admiration for former President Donald Trump. This came to light when it was revealed that Allen had attended Trump's inauguration in January 2017. During an interview on Maron's podcast, Allen stated, "Once I realized the last president pissed people off, I kinda liked that," before delving into his reasons for being a fiscal conservative. "Once I started making money, I had this silent partner that just took almost half of my money and never gave me anything for it. That's taxes. I've never liked taxes."
He stated: "I don't preach anything. I've simply chosen not to be part of what I referred to as the 'we culture.' I'm not dictating how others should live. I don't agree with that."
Despite this, Allen publicly criticized Trump's endorsement of the U.S. Capitol attack and insurrection in January 2021.
Pamela Anderson’s Allegations
Working alongside Allen on the set of Home Improvement, Anderson portrayed Lisa the Tool Girl in 23 episodes. She claimed that during her time on the set, Allen allegedly exposed himself to her.
"In her memoir Love, Pamela, she recounted an incident on the first day of filming where Tim allegedly flashed her while wearing his robe, claiming it was only fair since he had seen her naked. However, Allen denied these claims and stated that the incident never happened."
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‘Santa Clauses’ Costars Say He Was ‘F–king Rude’
In 2022, Casey Wilson starred in the Disney+ spinoff The Santa Clauses. A year later, she made waves by criticizing Tim Allen's behavior on set during an episode of her "Bitch Sesh" podcast in December 2023. Wilson described it as the worst experience she has ever had with a co-star.
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Wilson claimed that Allen was “so f–king rude” on set, never making eye contact or directly speaking to her despite sharing the screen.
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At the end of the scene, Tim Allen says, "Leaving!" as he picks up his Santa cape, drops it on the floor, and walks out," she continued, "Then his stand-in comes in, who is a much nicer person to work with. Everyone rushes to pick up his velvet Santa coat. He is difficult to work with."
At the time, Allen did not respond to Wilson's claims. Us has reached out for comment.
