Steve Allen Bio

[@webbtrekker534]

I'm 77 years old and I grew up listening and watching Steve Allen. It was great watching this video and seeing things I saw 60 years go and had forgotten how funny it was. He was also a fine actor and I loved his portrayal of Benny Goodman in the movie of he same name. He was a great person. The world is richer for him having been here!

[@jeanf8998]

Me too

[@oldcop18]

Same age here and we’d discuss Steve’s show w/our classmates. He’s still funny all these years later.

[@peggyhaines781]

I watched every Steve Allen tonight show he had and just roared with laughter at every one of them! I loved hearing him laugh because his laugh was infectious. I also appreciated his musical talent and his brilliance. I was heartbroken when that show ended and I’ll never forget him. He was an amazing man!

[@marthamagee2055]

One of the most brilliant men to ever walk the Earth! We called him Uncle Steve and I can tell you, Mr Allen was the REAL DEAL.

[@palmbeachsunset]

In July, 1972 I worked on a television special in Miami, Fl that was hosted by Steve Allen. It was the one and only time I worked with Mr. Allen. It was such a pleasure to work with him. He was an amazing talent and a very nice person. This is a memory I have always cherished.

[@footfault]

This bio was produced twenty-five years ago, in 1994. Unfortunately, many of the people we see in this show are no longer with us. So glad it was preserved for us to enjoy and reminisce over. Thanks!

[@ApoloniaJones1976]

R Simon I wish that A&E would return to doing Biography. It was a great show.

[@VicMartino]

I had the pleasure of not only seeing Steve Allen live at the Bottom Line in NYC but I was also a guest on his WNEW radio show in the 1980's, I'm not sure of the exact year but it was fun to watch him entertain, he was truly an all around entertainer and no one around today comes even close. Steve your surely missed!

[@skylershank9309]

I grew up watching Steve Allen. I remember no matter what I was watching, when a show of his came on I'd immediately switch to his program. Why? Because much of his show seemed spontaneous and always upbeat and entertaining. Who hasn't heard his unique laugh and not laughed?

[@sylviebertran8201]

Steve Allen was the real deal . I loved this man . He was funny and did so many other things well . He never took himself too seriously . We need you now Steve

[@santinarainey9644]

I am so impressed by this man. Who I remember a a toddler on ward.....this seals the deal on this great man for me. He is a great example of greatness.

[@James-ll3jb]

When I was little, about 7 or 8 in 1959, the Steve Allen Shiw was my favorite thing in teevee. Tom Posten, Louis Nye, Don Knotts, Bill Dana--a cast of ingenious comedians. Allen was way way ahead of his time.

[@photomanwilliams4147]

One thing these Bio's never seem to point out, How generous and kind he was to his studio audience. even when the cameras were off. I lived in L.A. in the late 60's and early 70''s and often went to tapings of TV shows. From talk, game, variety type show I saw them all. While all host seem to enjoy interaction with the audience, for most it is just for show and without the camera rolling we the audience were forgotten. But Steve Allen went far and above the others, he came out 10 min. before the show would start, talk to us, answer questions. Same after the show was over. I remember one time half way though the show a problem stopped the taping for about 30 min. Instead of going to his dressing room, only coming out when all was ready like others would do, Steve went to his piano and entertained his audience of maybe 150 people. His love for people is much more then just for the camera eye to see, Mr Allen is the real deal, what people see from their home is the real life person, someone that cares for, and loves people.

[@sailordent]

Thanks for adding that. that was a special feature of television tapings

[@jonelfilipek7848]

I’ve been a fan of Steve Allen since childhood. A true modern day Renaissance Man.

[@tonyaddario4391]

The westinghouse show was absolutely insane. When it was on in the late afternoon in Philly, I would not answer the phone, open the door or talk to anyone. My friends and I were addicted to his show. Clearly one of a kind genius.

[@laurencebarton276]

Intuitive, fast and never raunchy, Steve Allen was an incredibly important figure in exempt comedy. He made a difference.

[@stevesheldon8616]

I'm more of the David Letterman generation and until now I thought he was amazingly cutting edge in his early years, but now I understand the huge debt he owes to Steve Allen. Just wow. And it's so refreshing to see a successful man who loved and was loved by all those other talented people he worked with. Compare that environment with the toxic, nasty competitiveness of so many seasons of Saturday Night Live, for example. Being a little too young for Steve Allen, I just thought he was some square old dude. I'm so glad I watched this. Major respect. He made me laugh, too.

[@swordoff7]

Steve Sheldon, What a beautiful tribute to Steve Allen. And God Love you, Jane Meadows. A very great partnership. Truly amazing. I loved you both. Including the interview you made with J. G. Bennett, Steve.

[@foobarmaximus3506]

Nope. Steve Allen was a hack. Letterman had talent.

[@MelancoliaI]

@@foobarmaximus3506 Dead wrong. The freaking format wouldn't have existed without Steve Allen...not to mention he pushed the envelope with his particularly obnoxious brand of comedy. Ever hear of Tom Green or Eric Andre? Their style, whether you like it or not (and millions do like it) can be traced directly back to Steve. Are you saying this in bad faith, are you some kind of troll?

[@eamestv]

So glad I found this magnificent video. Wonderful, and really does look like Clark Kent.

[@LenHummelChannel]

Steve Allen, Sid Caesar, and Dick Van Dyke were three of THE GREATEST TALENTS EVER on TV. I have enjoyed every interview I have ever seen of Steve Allen. he was always quick, witty, and insightful. a true genius at what he did best.

[@lenhummel5614]

Truly an amazing career, and he had to overcome a very difficult & chaotic childhood. A man who made full use of his mind, energies, and talents. nothing but respect.

[@joetursi9573]

His childhood was not chaotic. His mother was an entertainer and he followed suit.

[@casals6743]

I was fortunate enough to perform with Steve Allen as a teenager.

[@thomashulina8786]

My father in law was in one of the same orphanages at the same time as Mr. Allen. He remembers Allen as a nice kid.

[@bvoe9843]

I'm so very glad I found this on You Tube. I used to rush to my room after working a late shift for the Airlines just to see The Tonite Show or as it was then, Tonite. The man on the street interviews were hilarious and the songs sung by, Steve Lawrence, Edye Gorme, Andy Williams plus Skitch Henderson and Steve Playing the piano was very entertaining. The cast of tonite became some of my favorite entertainers over the years. In my job of working for an Airline I was very happy to have met Steve Allen personally. He entertained of few of usA/L Employees. I saw him while he was waiting alone in a get lobby in Minneapolis/St. Paul and I asked if he would prefer some privacy and I sat him in the crew lounge. He entertained us few airline employees for almost an hour till his flight to Los Angeles was boarding. I escorted him to his flight from our Operations Office and then boarded the passengers on that flight. It was just great to see celebrities and Stars act like people to other people during that time of my life. That incident took place around 1963. I'll never forget him.

[@swordoff7]

@Lisa Swetz, 1969 you were born in, ey? Wow, that's when I wound up my time with the Hippie days. 20 years too late is OK. You can still watch Steve Allen, as much as you can, on KZbin. It's a great opportunity. Go for it.

[@MrLuvOldies]

Thanks. Steve Allen was a very great entertainer.

[@voyaristika5673]

My parents weren't television people, but I certainly remember them watching Allen's show. I wasn't yet 10 yrs old and was captivated by the characters created by Louis Nye, et al in Man in the Street segment. He entertained across all ages of people. Can't think of anyone who can do that today. Add that to everything else he did and was and that's mega-talent.

[@ignorecorporatenews]

Invented the TV late night comedy talk show format which continues to copy him today many decades later. Was the first host of The Tonight Show when it started in the 1950's which started the genre. Dave Lettermann has stated that he got most of his ideas from Steve Allen. In addition to this, Steve was an excellent musician and prolific song writer, and authored Many books. He accomplished all of this despite a very hard childhood. What a guy.

[@zorkwork3841]

I will always be grateful that a young Frank Zappa was on the Steve Allen show. He played a bicycle upside down with Steve's orchestra...Yea!!!

[@russgilbertson8689]

This was Great. He was the Best.

[@ronsbeerreviewstools4361]

Steve Allen Show was a great show. All laughs, and plenty of entertainment. No foolish political crap.

[@tonyarceneaux286]

Rest in ☮️ Steve Allen.

[@santinarainey9644]

What a guy! I really mean it! He's a real man! I remember him since I was first becoming aware of life! My father was a t.v. repair man. Now that I'm an adult I can really appreciate him and his Gift! Thank you!

[@davenelms68]

I saw him perform at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival in the mid 80's,,,amazing talent.

[@Robby24ish]

Steve was on of our GREATEST TALENTS! Loved, love him Alway's. Peace out

[@carolynkingsley4421]

Loved that man. I use to watch him all the time.

[@whitesky18]

Boy, I miss that man...

[@tracer740]

Amazing how Steve Allen developed into such a brilliant and inventive person with talents so far beyond most people in the entertainment field.

[@jimlaguardia8185]

Steve was a genius, and this show did not do him justice. Steve was unique, so you had to really know him to appreciate him.

[@catholiccrusader5328]

I have fond memories of my and my Mom watching the Steve Allen Show; Steve was the greatest but his best show was The Meeting of the Minds. They canceled that show saying it was above and beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

[@sabrinan4792]

Sad, right? I am in my 60s and just recommended it to an intelligent inquisitive 20 year old. Its so great he will be able to see it online, the same thing I enjoyed 40 years ago.

[@leonardberg5012]

At 31:05 Steve refers to Tim Conway as "Tom" Conway. I don't think too many people remember today that Tom was his original name, but he changed it to Tim early in his TV career to avoid confusion with another actor named Tom Conway who was the brother of actor George Sanders and who played in a series of detective films about the Falcon, and starred in an early TV series called Mark Saber

[@photomanwilliams4147]

thanks for the info, I was wondering about that.

[@swordoff7]

Leonard Berg, I'm looking forward to find the TV programs that you mentioned here.

[@thisiszaphod]

Not many people in the UK would have heard of Steve, yet alone seen him. I can count myself lucky on both counts - a very very clever and funny man in whatever he was in - my favourite other than the 'shows' being 'What's My Line?'

[@oldfart4751]

+thisiszaphodbeeblebr I'm from the Uk and started watching the American What's My Line about a years ago, that's where I first knew of Steve Allen. The guy was so funny with his wit, I am not really a fan of American comedy but took to Steve straight away.

[@bigbandsrock1]

I’m sad Gabriel Dell wasn’t mentioned on here. I hung out with Steve one night after a awards dinner, and he nearly tore my hand off as I tried to walk away after I mentioned Gabe Dell, as I casually said to Steve I was Gabe’s current assistant and I absolutely knew he would want me to say hello. Steve was frantic to find him and seemed to love him so much. *I wish somebody would do a special on Gabe. He was a, awesome incredible talent like so many of these other greats that were featured here in this program, but yes, Steve Allen is beyond amazing, and I enjoyed learning more here about his life and career! He was surely a giant talent and has no peer to this day! 🙌⭐️👏🏻

[@jeanf8998]

Great video!

[@cmcb09]

I can't thank you enough for uploading this I have always adored Steve Allen a true genius, I have been in correspondence with his lovely wife Jayne through the mail a few years ago and she is also a true sweetheart and a darling to her fans. This made my night.

[@billyshepard5514]

Same here im a fan and I still read his "Funny People" books over and over. I have a few audio interviews with him and his book Mark it Strike it on cassette I may try to stick on youtube.

[@Lindasmith1036]

Biography hayley mills

[@chuckcalentine7359]

My father used to tell stories of playing his trombone with Steve Allen at Drake College at some of the dances. Father was sent to Panama Canal. We laid dad to rest last month and he has his trombone he played.

[@sr633]

When we finally got a color TV we always watched the Steve Allen show in black and white !!

[@thejerseyj5479]

"Meeting of Minds" is one of the greatest shows in the history of television. They are hard to find and only a few of them appear on KZbin but they're worth watching. The most amazing thing about them is that Steve wrote the dialog and the opening theme music.

[@brucequinn]

This is excellent. I really enjoyed it. I think I saw Steve Allen twice. In the early 1990s, he was one of the hosts of a downtown Los Angeles film series in old 1920 movie palaces called “last remaining seats.” 10 years later around 2003 I think I saw him at a book signing where he had published memoirs or something like that. What a career.

[@RUBYMUNRO]

What an amazing man, brilliant xx

[@LenHummelChannel]

The amazing Steve Allen. what a life! and a true humanitarian also.

[@marthamagee2055]

TOTAL gentleman.

[@irenegewinner8193]

Steve’s giggle always made my brother and me laugh till we cried.

[@victorvelazquez6547]

I just LOVE watching him on the WML("What's My Line") G-Druns. Had me ROFL( Rolling On Floor, Laughing) ! 🤣

[@kkpaine]

Loved his talent. One of a kind ❤❤

[@laraoneal7284]

Wish he was still around.

[@scotnick59]

A true genius

[@FreihEitner]

Yeah, I definitely see why David Letterman enjoyed Steve Allen and how much Letterman's show, especially the early years on NBC, was influenced by Allen.

[@gallery7596]

And, somewhat ironically, it was Letterman who was the beneficiary when Johnny Carson blocked NBC's attempt to give Allen a new show following "The Tonight Show" after Tom Snyder's program ended. Letterman, a great admirer of Allen, got the 12:30am time slot instead and the rest is history.

[@8avexp]

Who can ever forget his classic breakup in 1958?

[@tomzeeh6618]

I love Steverino! Ranch Market. And Louis Nye: "I'm Gordon Hathaway. I'm from Manhattan. And I'm just too much!" Thanks for these videos. Jack Perkins? I miss A&E Biography, Jack as host.

[@Tenor2]

Loved Steve from an early age (was six when I saw the 'Tonight' show). Biography is terrific, but I laughed when I saw the Merchandise Mart shown as they said he spent hours reading at the library.

[@jimrick6632]

STEVE HAD AN HOUR SHOW ON ABC TV IN 1962 THAT IS NOT MENTIONED HERE...HE WAS A REAL PERSON AND WELL LIKED BY EVERYONE...

[@photomanwilliams4147]

Also around 1968-72 he had a talk show called "The Allen Show" It was syndicated appearing on local stations at different time slots throughout the country.

[@eddiemurray55]

A genuinely nice guy.

[@publiusovidius7386]

They omitted the important fact that Steve Allen was an outspoken atheist/agnostic. That was very brave back then when if you weren't religious you kept it to yourself or risked social stigmatization. Today 25% of Americans have no religious affiliation. Thank you, Steve! I suppose they omitted it out of right-wing political correctness.

[@photomanwilliams4147]

What? liberal people can't believe in God?

[@publiusovidius7386]

@@photomanwilliams4147 😂😂😂Liberals are far less religious than right-wingers. Conservatives' identity is linked to god, flags and guns. Not so with liberals.

[@BuckyBrown-lt4ry]

A great all around talent. Nothing he could not do. Nothing.

[@richbacon1218]

After, lo these many years, I am still in awe of Mr. Allen. His genius resides within me and has sparked my humorous approach to life,

[@normanduke8855]

Virtually nothing of him at the piano. He was a genius at composition.

[@michaelhewitt258]

His story is incredible Going from vertually nothing To the top of his professions Comedy, Author, Composer, Actor

[@michaelterry4394]

Right on the money the MOST TALENTED nite host along with Ernie Kovacks .

[@clearfield2009]

I love this man. Yes, I know he's dead. I love this man.

[@laraoneal7284]

Genius

[@amtrakatsfnyc]

I miss the Westinghouse Steve Allen Show as it was the most innovative and free-flowing creation of comedy. It is so sad that the tapes of this program were never offered for sale.

[@jamesmarshall1905]

What a fabulous show that was. I was only in my teens but watched it unfailingly. Led to my addiction to Dave Letterman, who always acknowl does his debt to Steve.

[@joesmith-jb4ls]

I remember Steve very well

[@amyferguson8856]

I love this narrator

[@postal_the_clown]

Was I a fan? I used to get tickets on a rotating basis for the syndicated show he did '68-'71. He did it at TAV which became the Merv Griffin venue. Referred to as the Filmways show, though it was broadcast live on Ch.5 in L.A. Even managed to get picked in the audience once and got a $100 Spiegel gift certificate. Bought my Hohner Melodica because he made it look easy to play. When he passed, somehow his obit stayed in my work locker for the next 8 years when I left that job. Yea, I guess he was an influence.

[@vibra64]

Genius=Steve Allen

[@unclelouie3828]

So glad I grew up watching these shows. It was a great time. Today's TV = Pathetic.

[@marybranicki2859]

uncle louie ...... WELL SAID !!!!! I don’t watch the TRASH !!!! on TV now....Thank goodness for the old shows on KZbin like Tonight and The Steve Allen Show are preserved for us to enjoy till this day...😂🤣👍

[@robertweldon7909]

11/8/2023 Quote from Steve Allen: "This show going to go on for ever" (said early in this video), and it has with the same title and basic format, since 1954 (nearly 70 years). I wonder if he ever realized his prophetic statement would come true like it did? I got to relive a few times in front of the TV, laughing until my sides hurt, today. What always got me was when he would have his laughing fits, That's when my sides hurt the most. Oh ya, remember his funny phone calls? How about the time he crawled into a cement truck? OH the memories. ;-)

[@fcontitwo]

,,,at disney world, hollywood studios, at the entrance to the"beauty and beast" live show, Steve Allen ,simply, put his name and hand prints in cement . What a sight to see for all you Steve fans" !!!, #thanksSteve :)

[@okiebrave1932]

I went to college with his nephew. The nephew was a dead ringer for Steve Allen.

[@BiffJackson-o4i]

The year he started (1954) was also the year Elvis and rock and roll arrived. He hated it and it showed when he had Elvis on and mocked him with a Hound Dog skit. The show featuring singers Steve and Edie and Andy Williams became squaresville pretty quick with the younger crowd.

[@bobbyfrancis8957]

Yes, I watched this A&E program, this isn't quite complete. I think it was, in the 1980s? The National Enquirer newspaper, and Steve himself was on TV, he said he was looking through a photo album few years ago, it showed a few photos of another young boy he didn't recognize, his mother never told him he has an older half-brother ( he preferred calling him a WHOLE brother); the Enquirer printed these pictures of this other kid, Steve's older brother recognized these photos of himself, and Steve got to meet him and know him. His mother must have had an affair with another man before Steve's father, but she wasn't married to him which is forbidden in the 1910s. I can't remember everything that Steve said then. Anyway, this is mostly forgotten today, I forgot the name of his half-brother...

[@DonTheVoice]

Steve was not only a genius, but at the same time a very down to earth human being -- I talked to him on 4 separate occasions, got his autograph at some book signings, and...oh yea, got my picture taken with him -- (I was going to paste a picture here of Steve and I, but I guess they won't let me in this format)

[@glennso47]

I first heard of Don Knotts on the Steve Allen Show.

[@brainsareus]

19:37 Sammy Davis jr wailing on drums............!!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I read Steve Allen's hilarious, and depressing, book Dumbth.

[@joijaxx]

Love!!

[@jackdowd6238]

Need help...didn't the show St. Elsewhere pay tribute to Steve and his cast by having them guest star as the dad's of the regular actors....I remember Steve ,Louis Nye, bill Dana...Tom poston maybe others????

[@gallery7596]

Yes, Allen and Jane Meadows played Ed Begley Jr.'s parents. It was during the show's final season and you can find it listed on the IMDb.

[@d.martin6847]

Smock! Smock!

[@StevenTorrey]

Steve Allen passed away at age 78 in 2000 after suffering injuries in a minor car accident.

[@tracer740]

upon noticing Allen's height compared to others' in these vids and pics, I never knew he was so tall.

[@merrillmilner8717]

I spotted Charlie Weaver (in the flat hat) at 35:29

[@danielyoung6630]

2 hour show Monday to Friday wow! 11:30 pm to 1:30am whoa!

[@StevenTorrey]

I remember when Carson was an hour and half and then reduced to one hour.

[@logann7942]

Steve Allen is great. Now, who in the HELL put a stabilizing filter on this video? I feel like I'm gonna be carsick!

[@robertriquier2046]

Steve Allen was one of a kind! He was better than Jack Parr and far better than Johnny Carson. He wasn't fake he was himself!

[@WSenator1]

@15:41 - Note the name "Ruppert" on the Knickerbocker Beer sign. Named for its founder and long-time president, Jacob Ruppert - who owned the New York Yankees during Babe Ruth's era in the 1920s.

[@wackyworldnews]

steve allen is a god !

[@wackyworldnews]

you probably never knew who steve allen was.... one of my idols! david letterman --when he was cool --stoled all of his ideas...

[@brainsareus]

***** get a clue

[@brainsareus]

wackyworldnews Steve reminds me a bit of Keith Olbermann[but much much broader],even sounds a little like him.

[@JJJBRICE]

Steve Allen looks like his mother . Usually the mark of handsome men !

[@glennso47]

Most every comedian had a difficult childhood.

[@saanzacs]

Is that Regis Philbin narrating?

[@juanr9446]

Thank for the material I only know steve allen when I heard from the simpsons

[@RAJohns]

He was mentioned by the late Jordan Maxwell quite a bit.

[@melianna999]

Wonder if he ever mention in his show Mrs Dorothy Kilgallen and what happened to her. They sat at the panel on WML in the early 1950'

[@geraldbaker4019]

24:47 Can anybody help me find this episode from the Steve Allen Show in color?

[@adamodeo9320]

no mention of what's my line? and the fact that he introduced America to Elvis?

[@MileyonDisney]

I'm a man in my 60's. When I was younger, I thought Jayne Meadows was quite unattractive. But now that I'm older, I think she was pretty hot when she was young. However, I still like Audrey Meadows more.

[@nickmad887]

thanks