Tim Allen says he considered suicide during 2-year…
Tim Allen thought about taking his own life while in federal prison on critical drug fees almost 45 years in the past.
The “Home Improvement” star opened up about how he contemplated suicide during an episode of Howie Mandel’s “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast launched Wednesday, Oct. 1.
Allen, 72, started the dialog by reflecting on how his father’s tragic death brought about him to act out, which led to his getting arrested on drug trafficking fees during his 20s.
Tim Allen during an episode of Howie Mandel’s podcast launched on Oct. 1, 2025. Howie Mandel Does Stuff/YouTube
Tim Allen’s mugshot after being arrested on drug trafficking fees in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Oct. 2, 1978. Unknown
Gerald Dick, the comic’s father, handed away in a car accident after colliding with a drunk driver in November 1964. Allen was 11 at the time, and lately forgave his dad’s killer.
“I was just a kid. [I was busted for] picking it up. It was just like in a freaking movie [where it was] in a locker,” the “Toy Story” star recalled. “If you want to get into the details of it, I was treated just as badly as people of color. I was pigeonholed because I was a light-skinned guy from an upper-middle-class family.”
“I didn’t have a pre-sentence report,” he continued. “Most of the situation – as I look at it – was a setup. I wouldn’t have any idea where to sell this amount [of drugs]. It was predetermined what was going to happen to me way before I was in there.”
Tim Allen during Howie Mandel’s podcast. Howie Mandel Does Stuff/YouTube
The “Home Improvement” star on the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast. Howie Mandel Does Stuff/YouTube
Long before making it big as a comedian and actor, Allen was arrested for having more than one pound of cocaine in his possession back in 1978. He pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking fees and was sentenced to two years in federal prison.
“The Santa Clause” star went on to inform Mandel that he made “horribly stupid jokes” while behind bars, including jokes about committing suicide.
“I was going, ‘I’m going to kill myself,’” Allen shared. “So I was going to kill myself, and the comedy part of me goes, ‘OK, how are we going to do this?’ My comedy part is always funny at the weirdest times.”
Tim Allen during an episode of Howie Mandel’s podcast launched Oct. 1, 2025. Howie Mandel Does Stuff/YouTube
However, when Mandel, 69, confronted the sitcom star about whether or not suicide was a “serious consideration” at the time, Allen admitted that it was.
“Yes,” he responded. “Because at that point, it was called the Rockefeller Act, where any [drug charges] over a certain amount was life in prison. They wanted to stop drugs like they’re trying to do now by increasing the sentence or putting people in prison. It didn’t work then.”
“Of course,” Allen added when Mandel pressed him once again about the ideas of taking his own life. “Then I get one old guy who was on the prison bus with me. He goes, ‘Just shut up, grow a beard and stop asking questions.’”
Tim Allen attends “The Santa Clauses” premiere at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, on Nov. 6, 2022. Getty Images
The “Shifting Gears” actor, meanwhile, revealed whether or not he made any pals during his more than two-year prison stint.
“No. It’s not even funny,” he told his fellow comic. “Two guys who really helped me through a lot of things, both of them were shot to death the day they got out.”
Allen’s legal issues began in 1978, when he was arrested at an worldwide airport in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for possessing 1.4 kilos of cocaine.
Tim Allen as Tim Taylor in “Home Improvement.” ©Touchstone Television/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eric Lloyd and Tim Allen in “The Santa Clause” (1994). ©Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
When the comedian pleaded guilty, he also shared the names of other sellers with investigators. His sentence was in the end lowered to three to seven years in exchange for his cooperation, per CBS News.
After serving two years and 4 months at the Federal Correctional Institution, Sandstone in Minnesota, Allen was paroled on June 12, 1981.
Following his release, he targeted on building his profession as a stand-up comic, which later led to his success on “Home Improvement” when it premiered in 1991.
Tim Allen leaving “The View” in New York City on Sept. 29, 2025 GC Images
Tim Allen arriving at “Good Morning America” in New York City on Sept. 29, 2025. Christopher Peterson / SplashNews.com
The “Last Man Standing” star, who is now more than 25 years sober, beforehand opened up about his shocking drug bust and subsequent sentence during an interview with Marc Maron in 2021.
At the time, Allen said he “just shut up and did what I was told.”
“It was the first time ever I did what I was told and played the game,” he shared. “I learned literally how to live day by day. And I learned how to shut up. You definitely want to learn how to shut up.”
If you’re struggling with suicidal ideas or are experiencing a mental health disaster, you possibly can call or textual content 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential disaster counseling.
We present you with the trending topics. Get the best latest Entertainment news and content on our web site daily.