The ‘Humiliating’ Thing Tim Allen Had to Do to Get on ‘Home Improvement’
Tim Allen has been one of TV’s favorite comedians for decades. But the road to success for the Last Man Standing star was long-and a little embarrassing, too.
During his appearance on The Tonight Show, Tim spoke with host Jimmy Fallon about landing his first major role on Home Improvement. Though ABC knew he had stage presence because of his stand-up shows, they still had one request before giving him the gig.
“ABC sent me to an acting coach,” Tim said, adding that the teacher had him read something by “Bill Shakespeare.”
The pro told Tim, “I want you to get that second stanza but I want you to sell it. I want you to come towards me, I’m a king and I’m going to kill you.”
So Tim naturally got on the floor and started reciting the text that he now lovingly refers to as “crap,” adding, “If this is acting I’m not sure I want to be part of this.” Jimmy agreed saying, “It’s humiliating.”
What’s worse, is that ABC didn’t even care if he could make the Bard interesting or not. After he was “crawling on the floor and crying” his coach told him, “They just want to know, can you memorize lines?”
Though that experience certainly put him through the ringer, it was nothing compared to his toughest critic. Tim joked his own mom often doubted his talent, and she even suggested that he take the postal exam in case acting didn’t work out.
And even when it did bring him success, she still wasn’t convinced. Tim recalled showing her his first “sizable paycheck” and her response was everything.
“I said, ‘Look at what ABC’s paying me!’” he said. “And my mom looked at it for a second, and she goes, ‘Oh God, that’s absurd!’”
He continued, “You could have said, ‘That’s a lot,’ or ‘Congratulations,’ or ‘I’ve never seen money like that.’ I shrank, I was smaller than a hub cap.”
But considering what he said about his mother next, we’re guessing there’s no hard feelings on Tim’s end.
“She’s just a great mom,” he praised. “I love my mom.”
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