Steve Allen (1921–2000,) fully Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen, was a pioneering American television entertainer, author, and songwriter. He is best known for creating and hosting what became The Tonight Show, which set the standard for TV talk shows.
Born in New York City, Allen was a comedian who performed in radio, motion pictures, theatre, and television. He was host and creator of “The Tonight Show” (1954–57) and host of The Steve Allen Show (1956–64.)
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.
Allen was a pianist and a prolific composer—he wrote an estimated 8,500 songs, some of which were recorded by numerous leading singers. He also played the title role in the movie The Benny Goodman Story (1956.)
Allen 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 (2001.)
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Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as flying animals, that nevertheless rarely or never actually flew. They would also be perplexed if they encountered in our seas, lakes, rivers, and ponds, creatures defined as swimmers that never did any swimming. But they would be even more surprised to encounter a species defined as a thinking animal if, in fact, the creature very rarely indulged in actual thinking.
—Steve Allen
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