Tim Allen
Allen in 2012
Birth name	Timothy Alan Dick
Born	(1953-06-13) June 13, 1953 (age 59) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, film, television, books
Nationality	American
Genres	Observational comedy, improvisational comedy, physical comedy, character comedy
Subject(s)	Relationships, marriage, masculinity, gender differences, parenting, everyday life
Spouse	Laura Deibel (1984–2003; 1 child) Jane Hajduk (2006–present; 1 child)
Notable works and roles	Tim Taylor on Home Improvement Mike on Last Man Standing Jason Nesmith in Galaxy Quest Scott Calvin/Santa Claus in The Santa Clause film series Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story film series
Website	http://www.timallen.com

Tim Allen (born Timothy Alan Dick;^[1][2] June 13, 1953) is an American comedian, actor, voice-over artist, and entertainer, known for his role in the sitcom Home Improvement. He is also known for his starring roles in several popular films, including the Toy Story film series, The Santa Clause film series, and Galaxy Quest.^[3][4] Allen currently stars in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing.

Early life[link]

Born in Denver, Colorado, Allen is the son of Martha Katherine (née Fox), a community-service worker, and Gerald M. Dick, a real estate agent.^[3][5][6] He is the third oldest of five brothers. His father died in a car accident, colliding with a drunk driver, when Allen was 11.^[3][7] Two years later, his mother married her high school sweetheart, a successful business executive,^[5] and moved with her six children to Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, to be with her new husband and his three children.^[8] Allen attended Ernest W. Seaholm High School in Birmingham, where he was in theater and music classes (resulting in his love of classical piano). He then attended Central Michigan University and transferred to Western Michigan University in 1974.^[9] At Western Michigan, Allen worked at the student radio station WIDR and received a bachelor of science degree in communications specializing in radio and television production in 1976 with a split minor in philosophy and design.^[10] In 1998, Western Michigan awarded Allen an honorary fine arts degree and the Distinguished Alumni Award.^[9]

Career[link]

Allen started his career as a comedian in 1975.^[3] On a dare from one of his friends, he participated in a comedy night at a comedy club in Detroit. While in Detroit he began to get recognition appearing in local television commercials and appearing on cable comedy shows such as Gary Thison's Some Semblance of Sanity. He later moved to Los Angeles and became a member of The Comedy Store there. He began to do stand-up appearances on late-night talk shows and specials on record and film.^[3] Allen rose to fame in acting with the television series Home Improvement (1991–1999) on ABC, playing Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor.^[3] During one week in November 1994, he simultaneously starred in the highest grossing film (The Santa Clause), topped the New York Times best-seller list with his book Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, and appeared in the top rated television series (Home Improvement).^[3] The following year, he provided the voice of Buzz Lightyear in the blockbuster Toy Story.^[3] Simultaneous with his time acting in Home Improvement, Allen formed a race team with Steve Saleen and race driver Bob Bondurant, called the Saleen/Allen "RRR" Speedlab. The team raced Saleen Mustangs in the SCCA World Challenge, with Allen and Saleen as the team's drivers.

In 1997 he starred in the family comedy Jungle 2 Jungle from Disney. The film was poorly received by critics. The next year marked the final year of Home Improvement, for which he was paid $1.25 million per episode. The next year he returned to voice Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story 2 which was a financial and critical hit. Also in 2000 he starred in the sci-fi parody Galaxy Quest alongside Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman and Sam Rockwell. The movie was a critical hit and connected with audiences as well. In 2003 he had a cameo as Seann William Scott's father in American Wedding.

In 2006, Zoom was released, featuring Allen as Jack Shepard. The same year, he also starred in The Santa Clause 3 and The Shaggy Dog.

Allen began narrating the "Pure Michigan" television and radio commercials for the "Travel Michigan" agency. These commercials can be seen and heard throughout the Midwest and began airing nationally in 2009.

In December 2009, Allen started a preview tour of Crazy on the Outside, a film that debuted in January 2010. Allen accompanied the film, helping promote it with a series of stand-up acts beforehand. During the performances he told audiences that he plans a 2010 comedy tour. Allen also directed the film, marking his film directorial debut.^[11]

Allen with Jay Leno at the 45th Emmy Awards.

Allen hosted the 8th Annual TV Land Awards on April 25, 2010.^[12]

As of September 2010, Tim Allen is the official voice of the Chevrolet Cruze, narrating commercials for the vehicle. Also in September 2010, Allen was named the voice of Campbell Soup's new "It's Amazing What Soup Can Do" campaign.^[13]

As of 2011, Allen currently stars in the ABC sitcom Last Man Standing. He plays the role of Mike Baxter, a dad who is fighting for his manhood in his house filled with women.^[14]

Personal life[link]

On October 2, 1978, Allen was arrested in the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for possession of over 650 grams (1.4 lb) of cocaine. He subsequently pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges, and provided the names of other dealers in exchange for a sentence of three to seven years rather than a possible life imprisonment. He was paroled on June 12, 1981, after serving 2 years and 4 months in a Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone in Sandstone, Minnesota.^[15][16][17] Allen had the Federal Bureau of Prisons Register # 04276-040.^[18]

Allen was raised as an Episcopalian.^[5] He was married to Laura Diebel from April 7, 1984, until they legally separated in 1999. Their divorce was finalized in 2003.^[19] They have a daughter, Katherine, born in 1989. Allen married actress Jane Hajduk on October 7, 2006, in a small private ceremony in Grand Lake, Colorado. They had dated for five years.^[20]

In 1997, Allen was arrested for DUI in Birmingham, Michigan, and was recorded as having a .15 percent blood-alcohol content.^[21] He was sentenced to one year probation. He entered a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol abuse as part of his court obligation.^[22]

On January 5, 2009, it was announced that Allen and Hajduk were expecting their first child together.^[23][24] On March 28, 2009, Allen's second child, a baby girl named Elizabeth, was born.^[25]

Awards[link]

Allen was nominated for one Emmy^[26] and 5 Golden Globe Awards. He won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy in 1995 for Home Improvement.^[27]

In 1999, Allen was named a Disney Legend for his work on the Toy Story and Santa Clause franchises.^[28]

In 1999 Allen won a TV Guide Award for Favorite Actor in a Comedy.^[29]

For contributions to the television industry, Tim Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6898 Hollywood Blvd.^[30]

In 1996, he won the Hall of Fame award at the Kids Choice Awards.

The cast of Home Improvement was honored with a "Fan Favorite" award at the 2009 TV Land Awards.

Filmography[link]

Films[link]

Television[link]

Books[link]

• Don't Stand Too Close to a Naked Man (1994) – ISBN 0-7868-6134-7
• I'm Not Really Here (1996) – ISBN 0-7868-6257-2

References[link]

External links[link]

	United States portal
	Biography portal
	Film portal

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tim Allen

• Official website
• Tim Allen at the Internet Movie Database
• Tim Allen at AllRovi

Allan Miller (born February 14, 1929) is an American actor, best known for the role of Harland Richards in Santa Barbara.

Miller was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Anna (née Diamond) and Benedict Miller.^[1]

He is best known for his appearances on television, including Kojak, The Rockford Files, The Streets of San Francisco, Hawaii Five-O, Nero Wolfe, Lou Grant, Wonder Woman, Starsky and Hutch, Barnaby Jones, Soap, Galactica 1980, Barney Miller, Knots Landing, Quincy, M.E., Cagney & Lacey, Highway to Heaven, Dallas, Airwolf, Scarecrow and Mrs. King, thirtysomething, Matlock, Who's the Boss?, Northern Exposure, L.A. Law, Murder, She Wrote, NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope, Judging Amy and Law & Order.

Allan Miller is also known as one of the greatest living acting coaches of our time. He has coached Meryl Streep, Geraldine Page, Barbra Streisand, and hundreds of the leading actors at The Actors Studio since Lee Strasberg took him under his wing in the 1950s.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Allan Miller at the Internet Movie Database
• Allan Miller Official Site
• Allan Miller at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)

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Carlos Enrique Estremera Colón (born 2 September 1958 is a Puerto Rican Salsa singer^[1] who is a native of San Juan. Estremera, who is an albino, is nicknamed -and billed- as "El Cano" ("The Light-Colored Haired One"), a word which is commonly use in Puerto Rico to refer to people of light complexion. He is arguably the most famous albino in the Caribbean country, and as such, has raised public awareness of the condition's traits and limitations (such as limited vision, which Estremera openly acknowledges, even in the occasional song).

Estremera developed his talent as a singer while residing in Residencial Las Casas,^{[citation needed]} a public housing complex in the area of Santurce, not far from Trastalleres, where Daniel Santos, Andy Montañez and Ossie Ocasio were raised. As Héctor Lavoe did before him, Estremera acknowledges Puerto Rican jíbaro country singers as a strong influence. He developed a reputation for being a fast and clever improviser, in the same vein as Marvin Santiago, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oscar D'León and other salsa singers who could improvise dozens of soneos (improvisations within a call–response format) on the spot. Later in his life Estremera would use the title "Dueño del soneo" ("Owner of the Soneo") as a marketing concept, emphasizing his prowess as an on-the-spot improviser.

In 1978, Estremera joined Bobby Valentín, among other replacements to Vaentín's band -namely Santiago and former Sonora Ponceña singer Luiggi Texidor. Estremera recorded six albums before stating his own band in 1984. He was the lead singer on many of the best selling hits by Valentín's band, particularly the band's best seller ever, "La boda de ella" ("Her Wedding"), written by Roberto Angleró.

Estremera began touring all over Latin America by 1989.^{[citation needed]} He enjoyed wild success in Puerto Rico as well as in Brazil and Peru, among other places. His best known hit as a solo artist is "El Toro" ("The Bull"), a humorous take on infidelity (and, in one line, about his low vision).

Estremera has participated in "soneo" battles with other salsa singers, most famously with Domingo Quiñones. He has also faced two incidents where he has been blacklisted from venues in Puerto Rico for using profanity onstage. As a result, he often polls audiences before addressing specific subjects onstage.

A 2003 CD release celebrated his twenty years in the music industry.

Discography[link]

• Puerto Rican Maestra, La Historia de la Salsa (2003)
• Opera Ecuajey Vol. 1 (2002)
• Sonora Ponceña 45 Años (1999)
• Diferente (1999)
• Encuentro Histórico (1998)
• Punto y Aparte (1996)
• Cambio de Sentido (1994)
• Éxitos del Dueño del Soneo (1991)
• Dueño del Soneo, Vol.2 (1990)
• Dueño del Soneo, Vol.1 (1989)
• Salvaje '88 (1988)
• El Niño de Oro (1986)

With Bobby Valentín

• En Acción (1984)
• Brujería (1983)
• Presenta a el Cano Estremera (1982)
• Siempre en Forma (1981)
• El Gato (1980)
• La Espinita (1979)
• La Boda de Ella (1978)

See also[link]

	Puerto Rico portal
	Biography portal

• List of Puerto Ricans

References[link]

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This article on a Caribbean singer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

José Feliciano, better known as Cheo Feliciano (born July 3, 1935), is a composer and singer of salsa and bolero music.

Early years[link]

Feliciano (birth name: José Luis Feliciano Vega ^{[note 1]}) was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the second largest city in the island located in the southern part of Puerto Rico. There he was raised and educated. As a child, he was nicknamed "Cheo" by his family - a name which means José and is a term normally only used by close friends and family. However, the name stuck and became part of his everyday name (using the nickname avoids confusion with José Feliciano, another major Puerto Rican singer to whom he is not related). At a young age he was influenced by the bolero music of the Trio Los Panchos. When he was only eight years old he formed his first group with his friends and named it "El Combo Las Latas". They were so poor that their musical instruments were made out of cans. Feliciano attended the Free School of Music in Ponce after finishing his primary education where he studied and became a percussionist.^[1][2][3]

Musical career[link]

In 1952, Feliciano moved with his family to New York City and settled down in Spanish Harlem. Here he auditioned as a percussionist in the "Ciro Rimac's Review" band - giving him his first professional musical job. Bandleader Tito Rodríguez, heard Feliciano play and offered him a job in his orchestra; this he accepted but after playing for some time with Tito, he left the band to play the conga for Luis Cruz. Despite leaving he always remained on friendly terms with Tito. Feliciano also played percussionist for Kako y su Trabuco orchestra. He was also a roadie for Mon Rivera.^[1][2][3]

In 1955, Rodríguez found out that Joe Cuba was in need of a singer for his sextet. Aware that Feliciano was also a talented singer, he recommended Cuba that he try out for the position. Feliciano auditioned and became a vocalist for the Joe Cuba Sextet. He was the rare baritone among salsa singers, and his deep voice and quick wit as an improviser made him a favorite among the Latino public.^[1][2][3]

Singing debut[link]

On October 5, 1957, Feliciano made his professional singing debut with the song "Perfidia" (he was also married on that same day). He sang for the sextet for a total of 10 years. In 1967, he joined the Eddie Palmieri Orchestra and sang for them for two years. However, an increasing addiction to heroin threatened his life and career. He decided to cure himself "cold turkey" and eventually join Puerto Rico's rehabilitation center, Hogares CREA. Feliciano credits Tite Curet Alonso, the author of most of his hits and his best friend, with pushing him through his rehabilitation. As a result, he is a candid (and vehement) anti-drug spokesperson, who has volunteered to assist in the rehabilitation of fellow salsa artists who fall prey to drug addiction.^[1][2][3]

Feliciano returns[link]

In 1972, Feliciano came back to music and made album "Cheo", his first solo recording, which broke all sales records in the Latino music market. The album included:

• "Anacaona" and
• "Mi Triste Problema" (My Sad Problem).

During the 1970s, Feliciano recorded for the "Fania Record Co." and had "Hits" with "Amada Mia" (My Love) and "Juan Albañil". He also participated in the first salsa opera "Hommy".

In 1982, Feliciano formed his own recording company called "Coche Records" and in 1985 he became the first tropical singer to perform at the Amira de la Rosa Theater in Barranquilla, Colombia. In 1987, he landed the role of Roberto Clemente's father in the musical "Clemente".^[1][2][3]

In 1990, Feliciano recorded the bolero album titled "Los "Feelings" de Cheo" a romantic music album. 17 years had past since his all bolero recordings of La Voz Sensual and Looking for Love, both recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina and orchestrated and arranged by Maestro Jorge Calandreli. He has traveled all over Europe,Japan, Africa, and South America. In Venezuela, he had a reunion with Eddie Palmieri. In 1995, Feliciano won a Platinum Record Award for "La Combinación Perfecta" (The Perfect Combination).^[1][2][3]

In 2000, Feliciano recorded "Una Voz, Mil Recuerdos" (One Voice, A Thousand Memories) as a tribute to various Puerto Rican singers. The album was named among the 20 outstanding recordings of the year by the National Foundation of the Popular Culture of Puerto Rico. In 2002, he recorded "Cheo en la Intimidad". Currently Feliciano is working with Panamanian singer and actor Ruben Blades. This production will have them singing each others' music. A Release date has not been determined. Feliciano is still very active and continues to travel and perform all over the world.^[1][2][3]

Recordings[link]

During the years, he enjoyed successes with the following "hits",:

• "A las Seis" (1962),
• "El Pito"(1967)
• "Busca Lo Tuyo"(1968) Eddie Palmieri
• "anacaona"(1971)
• "Mi Triste Problema"(1971)
• "Salome"(1973)
• "Nabori"(1973)
• "Mapeye"(1973)
• "El Ratón" (1974), Fania All Stars
• "Canta" (1976)
• "Los Entierros" (1979)
• "Amada Mia" (1980)
• "Juan Albañil" (1980)
• "Sobre Una Tumba Humilde" (1980)
• "Ritmo Alegre" (1981), Eddie Palmieri
• "Trizas" (1982)
• "Yo No Soy Un Angel" (1990)
• "Mentiras" (1990)

Discography[link]

Awards and recognitions[link]

Over the years, Cheo Feliciano has received the following recognitions:

• 1975-The Golden Cup-Venezuela,
• 1976-"Most Popular Artist" by Latin New York magazine,
• 1977-Daily News Front Page Award "Best Latin Vocalist",
• 1985-Owl of Gols-Panama, The Silver Chin Award-Miami, A Golden Agueybana Award-Puerto Rico,
• 1983 & 1984-Honorable Son of Ponce,
• 1999-A tribute in his honor from the Puerto Rican Senate.
• 2008- In honor of 50 years in the music industry, Michael Bloomberg (Mayor of New York at the time)

declared June 20 Cheo Feliciano Day in New York City.

• 2008-Grammy for Excellence in Music at the Latin Grammy Awards.
• In Ponce, he is recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens.

Recent years[link]

Cheo Feliciano currently resides in Puerto Rico and continues to record boleros. He is also the anti-drugs spokesperson for the Government of Puerto Rico.

See also[link]

	Puerto Rico portal
	Biography portal

• List of famous Puerto Ricans
• Black history in Puerto Rico

Notes[link]

1. ^
   This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Feliciano and the second or maternal family name is Vega.

References[link]