
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.
Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen · Steven Allen · Steve Allen Jr.
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3 images
Titles counted once; a person can act and direct on the same film (roles merged).
123
Acting credits
0
Directing
3
Writing
5
Other crew
Highest TMDB score (min 100 votes)
Homicide: Life on the Street
1993 · tv · as Mr. Cochran
The Simpsons
1989 · tv · as Steve Allen (voice)
Casino
1995 · movie · as Steve Allen
Get Smart
1965 · tv · as Prime Minister's Aide (uncredited)
Space Ghost Coast to Coast
1994 · tv · Acting
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
1996 · tv · as Fear
Pinky and the Brain
1995 · tv · as Steve Allen (voice)
Batman
1966 · tv · as Allen Stevens
Highest TMDB vote count (attention / reach proxy; not box office)
By release / first air year · movie & TV merged