As the Venetian gears up for the return of comedian, actor, voice-over artist and entertainer, Tim Allen this Saturday, Oct. 13 I thought we’d take a look back at Allen’s illustrious career both on and off the stage.

Tim Allen began his comedic career in 1980 when he was dared to participate in a comedy night at a comedy at the Comedy Castle in Detroit. His act was an instant success and launched him into the limelight, appearing on several comedy specials including Comedy’s Dirtiest Dozen in 1988 and Tim Allen: Men are Pigs in 1990. But it wasn’t until 1991 when Allen landed his very own sitcom “Home Improvement” that he became a household name.

Based on Tim Allen’s stand-up, “Home Improvement” was one of the highest rated sitcoms for almost the entire decade it aired. During the 1993-94 season the show went to #2 in the ratings. In that same time while continuing his role as Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor, Allen crossed over to films with his first movie “The Santa Clause.”

The good old fashioned family holiday film, “The Santa Clause” grossed over USD $144 million in the untied States alone and over $189 million worldwide, making it an instant hit. In the film, Allen plays Scott Calvin, an ordinary man who accidentally causes Santa Clause to fall to his death from his roof on Christmas Eve. After delivering all of Santa Clause’s presents, Allen discovers he must become the next St. Nick and save Christmas. The film was followed by two sequels, 2002’s “The Santa Clause 2” and 2006’s “The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause.”

A year after the first “The Santa Clause” movie, Allen lent his voice to the hit animated film “Toy Story” in 1995. Playing the voice of “the coolest toy ever” Buzz Lightyear, Allen discovered he had a talent for voice-over work and children films. Allen went on to enjoy two more roles as Buzz Lightyear in “Toy Story 2” in 1999 and “Toy Story 3” in 2010. And there’s a chance he’ll reprise the role once more for next year’s “Toy Story of Terror” Halloween TV special.

The same year Allen filmed Toy Story 2, he also starred in the science-fiction comedy parody about human actors who defend a group of aliens against an alien invasion in “Galaxy Quest.” The film was packed with A-list celebrities including Sigourney Weaver, Justin Long, Rainn Wilson, Alan Rickman and more. That same year, (1999) Allen filmed his final season of “Home Improvement.”

In 2011 Allen jumped back into the sitcom world with the ABC sitcom “Last Man Standing.” Allen plays Mike Baxter, a director of marketing at an outdoor sporting goods store in Denver, Colorado. He once again plays a family man but this time he’s dominated by women – his wife and three daughters.

From stand-up comedian to television and film star and back again, Tim Allen is one of the most-successful and funniest persons in Hollywood and you can see him live at the Venetian Saturday, Oct. 13 with discounted tickets right here on Best of Vegas.

Las Vegas, NV 10/9/12

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