Tim Allen, known for his long-running role as America’s beloved TV dad, is sharing his thoughts on fatherhood – both the character he played and his experiences as a real-life dad. He’s also talking about his current relationships with the actors who portrayed his sons on ‘Home Improvement‘.
In a recent interview with Us Weekly, 72-year-old actor Allen discussed his career playing fathers on screen and how his views on family have changed over time, both as an actor and a parent.
Allen shared with Us Weekly that his dynamic with Kat Dennings, who plays his daughter on his new ABC show, ‘Shifting Gears,’ mirrors his relationship with his own older daughter. He described how they often disagreed but always reconciled.
Currently, Allen plays Matt Parker, a widower whose peaceful life is disrupted when his daughter and grandchildren come to live with him. This storyline resonates with Allen personally, as he also raised two daughters, Katherine, 36, and Elizabeth, 16.
‘I don’t know what it’s like to have sons,’ he told Us Weekly. ‘I like being a father to girls.’
The actor, originally known for his stand-up comedy, explained that how he works on sitcoms has evolved as he’s gotten older.
He shared that he wanted to portray someone navigating grief while still living a full life. He was inspired by people he deeply admired who had faced immense hardship but continued to be kind and present in the world, and he wanted to pay tribute to their strength.
Reflecting on his roles in ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Last Man Standing,’ Tim Allen admitted he didn’t initially feel ready to guide others after achieving fame.
Honestly, hearing him talk about becoming a father figure really resonated with me. He admitted it wasn’t instant, and it took time to grow into that role. For a long time, especially with the young actors on ‘Home Improvement,’ he felt more like a cool, playful older brother – someone to have fun with and maybe get into a little trouble with! It was so relatable and genuine to hear him say that.
By the time he starred opposite Kaitlyn Dever on Last Man Standing, his role on set had shifted.
Allen explained to Us Weekly that they connected through comedy, which led to a mentoring relationship. He focused on supporting her, and he was surprised to later realize she’d been incorporating his advice into her performances.
Allen said he has remained in touch with many of his former TV children over the years.
We cater to all kinds of events – holidays, birthdays, weddings, and sadly, funerals, he explained. He’s even continued to voice the character Buzz Lightyear for the children of families he’s worked with over the years, even as they’ve grown up.
Still, Allen admitted that mentoring young actors early in his career came with challenges.
He explained that being a good TV parent was easy when the show made it that way, but challenging when it wasn’t – and that’s when an actor felt useless. He remembered his early days on ‘Home Improvement,’ saying it was a while ago and he was new to the role. He didn’t really become a mentor to the young actors until later, but he added that they all came from supportive families.
Tim Allen spoke out as people began revisiting the past of his former “Home Improvement” co-star, Zachery Ty Bryan, who played his on-screen son Brad Taylor from 1991 to 1999.
In November, 44-year-old Bryan discussed with TMZ the challenges he faced growing up as a child star and then becoming an adult with adult responsibilities.
Bryan explained that becoming famous at just nine years old created pressures he wasn’t prepared for.
Still, he insisted ‘that’s no justification for’ his ‘choices as an adult.’
The actor has a history of domestic violence arrests, including an incident in Oregon in 2020 where he pleaded guilty to menacing and assault.
A separate case in South Carolina remains ongoing.
Bryan stated that domestic violence is never okay and that he is truly sorry for the pain his actions have caused.
He admitted he’s been dealing with the consequences of becoming famous young, struggling with addiction, and making bad choices. He described the recent events as a harsh but necessary lesson.
Bryan shared that he’s starting therapy, a drug rehabilitation program, and anger management classes. He also mentioned that the criticism he’s received as a parent has been especially difficult.
He admitted it really hurt to be called a bad father. He explained that his children mean everything to him, and he acknowledges he hasn’t always been the parent he wanted to be.
He was recently arrested for breaking the terms of his probation, which he received after being convicted of domestic violence for a second time in 2023.
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2026-01-15 01:35