Wissenswertes

Wrote more than 50 books and 7,400 songs.

At one point in his broadcasting career he was a commentator for professional wrestling. He later admitted that in order to juice up his commentary, he made up the names of wrestling holds. Apparently, nobody ever questioned him about it.

Prolific composer/lyricist of some 2000+ songs, the best known of which are "This Could Be the Start of Something" (his theme song), "Pretend You Don't See Her" (a top-ten hit for Jerry Vale), "Impossible", and "Gravy Waltz" (a top-40 instrumental hit for Allen himself in 1962, and a jazz standard today).

Milton Berle always referred to Steve's mother, Belle Montrose, as "the funniest woman in vaudeville".

First coined the question "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" when making an appearance as a panelist on What's My Line? (1950), 18 January 1953.

Named to Academy of Television Arts and Sciences [ATAS/NATAS] "Hall of Fame" in 1986.

Appears on a 44¢ USA commemorative postage stamp, issued August 11, 2009, in the Early TV Memories issue honoring "The Tonight Show". Allen hosted the first incarnation of the program, which was called simply Tonight! (1953).

On just his second The Steve Allen Show (1956) program, as host, on July 1, 1956, Elvis Presley and Andy Griffith were on the show, but performed at different times during the program. Elvis sang "Hound Dog" to a Bassett hound wearing a top hat, on this program. The appearance of both entertainers on the same show skyrocketed the show's ratings.

During his 1940-1941 school year, he transferred to Phoenix Union High School from Hyde Park in Chicago. In spite of a late start he still received credit in the yearbook for the Annual Staff, Journal Staff, Mor Follies, Entertainment Committee, Scribble and Blot. His trademark glasses are missing from his senior picture. Following high school, he attended Arizona State University Tempe in 1942 when it was the State Teacher's College. In a matter of months his parent's vaudeville blood got the better of him, and he dropped out to work as a disc jockey at KOY radio in Phoenix.

Son of vaudeville stars Carroll Allen and Belle Montrose. Brother-in-law of Audrey Meadows.

Considered by many as the "father of late night television comedy", he was the original host of NBC's "Tonight Show" (1953-1957). During 1he 1963-1964 season, Steve made a return to live late night TV with a syndicated (Ch.11 in NYC) variety show from Los Angeles. He now had access to videotape and multiple camera shots for his many skits on stage, off stage and in the street. According to TV Guide, this show fared well against the current "Tonight Show", hosted by Johnny Carson, especially with "the college age crowd". As the show was only seen in major cities it was not able to compete with the major networks in the long run and was canceled after its first year. Many other successful TV projects for Steve would follow, but this was his last late night endeavor.

Was longtime friend of Danny Thomas and Julie London.

He was incredibly spontaneous to try new stuff and do it again if it worked. Live TV. Still B&W. Steve would go to the Akron (sp?) store market across the street and just talk with people on camera about something, that became funny. (He had two hours to fill - no programming, scheduled appearances

Some nights, he would just take a phone number from somebody in the audience and call that number to call someone in the family. Or to spontaneously take a "help wanted" or "roommate wanted", etc. post from the bulletin board at the Akron and just call the number cold.

Claimed that the melody of his biggest hit, "This Could Be the Start of Something Big", came to him in a dream.

Father of Steve Jr., David, Brian and Billy Allen.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith; pg. 12-13. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

Attended Drake University, 1941 and Arizona State Teacher's College, 1942.

His father was Jewish and his mother was of Irish descent.

Married to celebrated actress Jayne Meadows for 46 years until his death.