Steve Allen

Known for ActingBorn 1921-12-26Died 2000-10-30New York City, New York, USA

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. 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.Read more

Movies & web series

Elvis: The King of Rock 'n' Roll

On and Off the Res' with Charlie Hill

I've Got a Secret

Tasmanian Devil: The Fast and Furious Life of Errol Flynn

The Making of the Stooges

Stone

James Dean and Me

Rodney Dangerfield's The Really Big Show

The Universal Mind of Bill Evans

Meeting of Minds

WWE WrestleMania VI

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Homicide: Life on the Street

Casino

The Simpsons

Richard Lewis: I'm Exhausted

Something's Got to Give

The Judy Garland Show

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

James Dean Remembered

Space Ghost Coast to Coast

The Adventures of Errol Flynn

Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth

Rich Man, Poor Man

Pinky and the Brain

Get Smart

Eat That Question: Frank Zappa in His Own Words

Tab Hunter Confidential

The Emmy Awards

Life's Most Embarrassing Moments

Nurse

Behind the Music

The New Steve Allen Show

Lucy Calls the President

The Critic

The Snoop Sisters

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

I've Got a Secret

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Gossip Columnist

Erroll Garner: No One Can Hear You Read

The Thin Man

The Player

American Masters

Diagnosis: Murder

Nobody's Perfect: The Making of Some Like It Hot

Let Me In, I Hear Laughter: A Salute to the Friars Club

Rodney Dangerfield's 75th Birthday Toast