Steve Allen

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Steve Allen
Press photo from 1977
Born
Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen

(1921-12-26)December 26, 1921
DiedOctober 30, 2000(2000-10-30) (aged 78)
Cause of deathHeart attack
Alma materArizona State Teachers College
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian, television personality, musician, writer
Years active1940s–2000
Spouse(s)Dorothy Goodman
(m. 1943–1952; divorced)
Jayne Meadows
(m. 1954–2000; his death)
Children4 sons

Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 - October 30, 2000) mostly known as Steve Allen was an American actor, television personality, musician, writer, and comedian best known for his show The Steve Allen Show.

Allen introduced many new celebrities and performers on his shows, including Jerry Lee Lewis and Jack Kerouac. He also recorded an album with Kerouac, with Kerouac reading poetry and Allen playing piano with a jazz combo.

He was the first host of The Tonight Show, who was replaced by Jack Parr and then later Johhny Carson. Allen played himself in an all-star comedy movie, Amazon Women on the Moon.

Allen was born in New York City on December 26, 1921 and was raised in Chicago, Illinois. He was educated at the Arizona State Teachers University. He served in World War II.

Allen was married to Dorothy Goodman from 1943 until they divorced in 1952. Lastly he married Jayne Meadows from 1954 until his death in 2000. He had four children.

He was a Democrat and his wife was a Republican.[1]

Allen died on October 30, 2000 after suffering a heart attack in Los Angeles, California, aged 78.

References[change | change source]

  1. Haynes, Karima A. (May 7, 1997). "Opposites Attract, Succeed for Decades". Los Angeles Times.

Other websites[change | change source]

Quotations related to Steve Allen at Wikiquote
Media related to Steve Allen at Wikimedia Commons