Tim Allen revealed that he contemplated suicide during his time in federal prison after being convicted on drug trafficking charges, which came years before he became a household name.
The actor, now 72, shared his experiences on the “Howie Mandel Uses Things” podcast, recounting a particularly low point in his life nearly 45 years ago. Allen mentioned that he lost his father when he was just 11, and that loss impacted his journey into acting—eventually leading to his arrest in his 20s when he was questioned about taking his own life.
“I was just a kid,” he reflected, recalling his arrest in 1978 when he was caught with 1.4 pounds of cocaine.
During the podcast, he explained how circumstances felt stacked against him. As a light-skinned man from a middle-class background, he experienced treatment comparable to that faced by people of color. Allen described his arrest as almost inevitable, noting he had “no idea where to sell the drug” and ultimately pleaded guilty to the charges, receiving a two-year prison sentence.
Inside prison, Allen faced a “terrifying, stupid joke” regarding the possibility of suicide. “I thought, ‘I’m going to commit suicide,’” he admitted.
“So I was going to kill myself, and my comedic side asked, ‘How do we do this?’ Humor surfaced even in the darkest moments,” he remarked.
When Mandel pressed him about whether suicide was a serious thought, Allen confirmed it was, explaining that harsh drug laws at the time, including the Rockefeller Drug Laws, meant severe penalties for possession. “At that time, being caught with a significant amount could lead to life in prison…that just didn’t work out well,” he said.
He reiterated the seriousness of his thoughts on suicide when asked again by Mandel.
Allen noted that even fellow inmates discussed suicide with him. They joked about the methods, saying, “We tie ourselves up on that bar over there… you’re hanging out there, you’ll ruin it. People will spin you around like a piñata.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it. “Yeah, you’re probably right,” he recalled responding.
Reflecting on a friend who didn’t fare well after prison, Allen shared, “Two guys who really helped me—both of them got shot the day they were released.”
Tim Allen ultimately was released on parole in June 1981 after serving just over two years, following which he focused on stand-up comedy and soon landed his breakout role in “Home Improvement” in 1991.
