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Steve Allen

Steve Allen

Birthday: 1921-12-26 | Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA

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.

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

2007
Elvis: #1 Hit Performances

as    Self (archive footage)

2002
The Definitive Elvis: The Television Years

as    Self (archive footage)

1998
1995
James Dean and Me

as    Himself

1989
Great Balls of Fire!

as    himself

1984
The Making of the Stooges

as    Himself / Presenter

1975
Mitzi & 100 Guys

as    Self

1972
Lenny Bruce: Without Tears

as    Himself / DJ (archive footage)

1967
Warning Shot

as    Steve Allen

1962
Something's Got to Give

as    Dr. Herman Schlick

1956
The Benny Goodman Story

as    Benny Goodman

1956
The Steve Allen Show

as    Self - Host

1954
1952
I've Got a Secret

as    Self - Host

1950
I'll Get By

as    Peter Pepper