He was left speechless.
Tim Allen, widely known today for his role in the sitcom “Last Man Standing,” recently revealed that he is taking the time to read the Bible in its entirety, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, for the first time. The 71-year-old comedian, also the voice of Buzz Lightyear in “Toy Story,” has been open about his Christian faith throughout much of his career. On Tuesday, Allen shared on social media that he is nearing the completion of the Old Testament in the Jerusalem Bible, a Roman Catholic translation.
Allen admitted that despite his many years, he had never truly taken the time to read the Bible thoroughly. He expressed surprise at how the experience has unfolded, noting that it has been both amazing and different from what he anticipated. Despite his successful career in comedy and starring in lighthearted shows like “Home Improvement,” Allen has been candid about the personal struggles he has faced.
One of those struggles dates back to when Allen was 11 years old, when his father was tragically killed by a drunk driver. In a 2011 interview with Elizabeth Vargas on ABC’s “20/20,” Allen shared that during his time of grief, he questioned whether he could have prevented his father’s death. Although he attended church during this period, Allen confessed to being skeptical and cynical about the concept of God.
Allen’s life took a further dark turn in 1978 when he was arrested for possession of over a pound of cocaine at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. Following his guilty plea, he spent two years in federal prison. Over time, Allen found his way back to faith, eventually referring to God as “The Builder.” He explained that he often asks “The Builder” for guidance, believing that his life experiences are too purposeful to have happened by accident.
Throughout his career, Allen has not shied away from expressing his belief in God. In 2022, Allen insisted that the new Disney+ series “The Santa Clauses,” based on the movie franchise in which he starred, include elements of faith. He emphasized that Christmas is fundamentally a religious holiday, and he wanted the show to acknowledge this. According to Allen, the fifth and sixth episodes of the series incorporated religious themes, which he found “really wonderful.”
During an appearance on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Allen mentioned that the series intended to explore the true story of St. Nicholas, the Turkish priest who inspired the legend of Santa Claus. He highlighted the show’s message about the importance of giving, noting that while society has become focused on receiving, the true essence of Christmas lies in the joy of giving, particularly as a father to his children.