Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen (December 26, 1921 â€" October
30, 2000) was an American television personality, radio personality,
musician, composer, actor, comedian, writer, and an 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 (2001).
30, 2000) was an American television personality, radio personality,
musician, composer, actor, comedian, writer, and an 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 (2001).
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