Elizabeth Vargas’ Interview Reveals the Surprising Role of Faith in Tim’s Journey “Whoever built me, this is too much, too weird that it happened by accident.” -Tim Allen
Tim Allen, circa 1998 (left) and 2011 (right) (Michael Grecco/Getty Images; Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)
Tim Allen’s wildly successful run on “Home Improvement” set up the former prison inmate for superstar status in the industry. Tim leveraged his lead in one the highest rated shows of the 1990′s into a successful movie career, starring in lucrative “The Santa Clause” series (see Tis the Movie Season to be Jolly), and one of our all-time favorites, “Galaxy Quest.”
However, in a surprisingly moving interview Tim reveals to 20/20 anchor Elizabeth Vargas that it was his faith that guided him to and through a life of stardom “built by God.”
Tim’s new man-of-the-house comedy, “Last Man Standing,” continues his successful run. (Tuesdays at 8PM on ABC) “The idea was to really test how smart you can be, and be funny, rather than the t-shirt, beer-swilling guy,” he said of his character. (ABC News.) While in no way a “faith-based” project, the show is lightly peppered with religious themes and church attendance.
Watch "Last Man Standing" TONIGHT at 8PM on ABC.
So far that formula is proving smart with viewers as well. TVbytheNumbers reports that ratings for “Last Man Standing” have been “surging. ” The ABC rookie show now registers as the most-watched Tuesday night comedy, besting Fox’s former Tuesday night superpower “Glee” by 2.6 million viewers.
Clearly God is a recurring character, not only in “Last Man Standing,” but in Tim’s life as well.
Funnyman Tim Allen: Serious About God
By Alice Gomstyn – @AliceGomstyn
Sitcom star Tim Allen became famous for his oaf-like antics and handyman hobbies, but some of the comedian’s real-life interests don’t just stop at his garage door. He is fascinated with religion and has a long history with Christianity, something he hints at while joking about his childhood sweet tooth in his stand-up act.
“I like Pixie Sticks. Yeah, screw the middle man. Just a tube of sugar…I’d pour two of those in a big 12 ounce coke. And I’d go out to catechism class and try to concentrate on the priest,” he recently told a Las Vegas audience. “I saw Jesus several times. I swear I did.”
PHOTOS: Home Improvement: Where Are They Now?
Allen told “20/20″ anchor Elizabeth Vargas that he’s had “a curious relationship with God” since his father died.
Tim Allen (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Allen’s father died when he was hit by a drunk driver when Allen was just 11. The comedian says that after that, he questioned whether if he had prayed harder or had been with his father that fatal day, he could have prevented his death.
“For years, I just did not like this idea of God, church,” he said. “(I was) still a churchgoer, but constantly a cynic.”
But the cynicism didn’t last…
Click to Watch Elizabeth Varga’s interview with Tim
FYI: Did you know that “Home Improvement” was co-created by Act One faculty member David MacFadzean?
Via Twitter
Elizabeth Vargas @EVargasABC
Dec 13, 6:26 PM via Twitter for iPad
@GaryDStratton he is a true believer…has been thru a lot, and says he was saved by his faith and i think, his humor