Skip to content
Join free
Steve Allen
Actor

Steve Allen

26 Dec 1921Born
30 Oct 2000Died
78Age at death
51Credits

Biography

Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen was an American television personality, radio personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, writer, and advocate of scientific skepticism. In 1954, he achieved national fame as the co-creator and first host of The Tonight Show, which was the first late night television talk show.

Though he got his start in radio, Allen is best known for his extensive network television career. He gained national attention as a guest host on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. After he hosted The Tonight Show, he went on to host numerous game and variety shows, including his own The Steve Allen Show, I've Got a Secret, and The New Steve Allen Show.

Read the full biography

He was a regular panel member on CBS's What's My Line?, and from 1977 until 1981 wrote, produced, and hosted the award-winning public broadcasting show Meeting of Minds, a series of historical dramas presented in a talk format.

Allen was a pianist and a prolific composer. By his own estimate, he wrote more than 8,500 songs, some of which were recorded by numerous leading singers. Working as a lyricist, Allen won the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Original Jazz Composition. He also wrote more than 50 books, including novels, children's books, and books of opinions, including his final book, Vulgarians at the Gate: Trash TV and Raunch Radio.

In 1996 Allen was presented with the Martin Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSICOP). He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Hollywood theater named in his honor.

Known for

Filmography

  1. 1996Sabrina, the Teenage WitchSeries: Fear (1 episode)
  2. 1995CasinoFilm: Steve Allen
  3. 1995Pinky and the BrainSeries: Steve Allen (voice) (1 episode)
  4. 1994The CriticSeries: Steve Allen (voice) (1 episode)
  5. 1993Diagnosis: MurderSeries: Ray Masters (1 episode)
  6. 1993Homicide: Life on the StreetSeries: Mr. Cochran (1 episode)
  7. 1992The PlayerFilm: Steve Allen
  8. 1989The SimpsonsSeries: Bart's Altered Voice (voice), Steve Allen (voice) (1 episode)
  9. 1989Great Balls of Fire!Film: Steve Allen
  10. 1987Amazon Women on the MoonFilm: Steve Allen (segment "Roast Your Loved One")
  11. 1986Classic Comedy TeamsFilm: Host
  12. 1985Alice in WonderlandSeries: Gentleman in Paper Suit (1 episode)
  13. 1984The Ratings GameFilm: Steve Allen
  14. 1984Computability: How to Make the Most of Your Home ComputerFilm
  15. 1983Starfest: The Stars Salute Public Television 1983Film
  16. 1982St. ElsewhereSeries: Lech Oseransky (3 episodes)
  17. 1982HotelSeries (1 episode)
  18. 1981NurseSeries: Barney Ambler (1 episode)
  19. 1980Heart BeatFilm: Steve Allen
  20. 1980The Gossip ColumnistFilm: Steve Allen
  21. 1980The Power of the MarketFilm
  22. 1979StoneFilm: Steve Allen
  23. 1978The Vent EventFilm
  24. 1977Have I Got a Christmas for YouFilm: Martin Kaplan
  25. 1977What Really Happened to the Class of '65?Series (1 episode)
  26. 1977Lucy Calls the PresidentFilm: Steve Allen
  27. 1977The Love BoatSeries: Durwood Moss (1 episode)
  28. 1977Meeting of MindsSeries: Writer, Creator (24 episodes)
  29. 1976Bob Hope's World of ComedyFilm: (archive footage)
  30. 1976Rich Man, Poor ManSeries (1 episode)
  31. 1975The Sunshine BoysFilm: Narrator of Fictional TV Program (uncredited)
  32. 1973The Snoop SistersSeries: Steve Allen (1 episode)
  33. 1970McCloudSeries: Doug King (1 episode)
  34. 1969The ComicFilm: Steve Allen
  35. 1969Love, American StyleSeries: Johny (1 episode)
  36. 1969Medical CenterSeries (1 episode)
  37. 1968Now You See It, Now You Don'tFilm: Herschel Lucas
  38. 1968Where Were You When the Lights Went Out?Film: Radio Announcer
  39. 1967Warning ShotFilm: Steve Allen
  40. 1966Don't Worry, We'll Think of a TitleFilm: Bookstore Customer with Little Boy (uncredited)
  41. 1966BatmanSeries: Allen Stevens (2 episodes)
  42. 1966The Universal Mind of Bill EvansFilm
  43. 1965Get SmartSeries: Prime Minister's Aide (uncredited) (1 episode)
  44. 1960College ConfidentialFilm: Steve MacInter
  45. 1959The DuPont Show with June AllysonSeries: Dr. Ben Ellison (1 episode)
  46. 1957The Thin ManSeries (1 episode)
  47. 1956The Benny Goodman StoryFilm: Benny Goodman
  48. 1953General Electric TheaterSeries: Andy Fletcher (1 episode)
  49. 1951Hallmark Hall of FameSeries: Martin Kaplan (1 episode)
  50. 1950I'll Get ByFilm: Peter Pepper
  51. 1949Down Memory LaneFilm: Steve Allen, Writer

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.