After starring in two of TV’s most successful sitcoms — Home Improvement , which ran for eight seasons between 1991 and 1999, and Last Man Standing , which ended its nine-season run in 2021 — Tim Allen wasn’t sure he was up for a third.
“I didn’t really want to do another one,” admits the 71-year-old. But Shifting Gears , his new ABC series about a widowed dad who reconnects with his estranged daughter ( Kat Dennings ) was enough of a deviation from his past roles to change his mind. At Tim’s suggestion, his character runs a classic car restoration shop — just like he does. (The set was even designed after the one the actor owns in North Hollywood!)
“That’s what I’ve always wanted to play,” he says. “I get to be more of a creative guy in grief over a loss of a wife. It’s a comedy, though!” Here, the dad of two (he shares Katherine, 35, with his ex, and Elizabeth, 15, with his wife of 19 years, actress Jane Hajduk ) talks to In Touch’s Lindsay Hoffman about his new gig, fatherhood and sobriety.
Why do another sitcom?
TA: I love the sitcom format because [of ] my stand-up. I get to be in a live audience situation. When they said, “What would you do if you did another one?” I said, “If a guy had just lost his wife and he’s still able to be funny and [work on] a relationship with an older daughter … and I’d like to build hot rods!”
As a dad of two daughters, can you relate to your character?
TA: Kat Dennings said, “[Some people] get into a relationship because [their] parents don’t like it. Your parents tell you not to do something, so you do it.” My daughters are not like that. I mean, we’ve had our problems, of course.
What’s your best parenting lesson?
TA: Learn how to listen. Last night, I had this conversation [with my daughter]. I said, “Don’t run away from me.” So, she sat at the bottom of the stairs, and I sat at the top, and I said, “I will just listen.” And I did. Then she said, “Now you tell me what you think.” And we thought different things. It’s all about point of view. And my older one has taught me that you’re only as sick as your secrets. We’ve had misunderstandings based on dumb conversations that happened when she was young. You’ve got to be able to apologize.
Is fatherhood easier the second time around?
TA: Yes, because I’m sober. I’ve been sober for 27 years. My first daughter, unfortunately, was not around a sober guy. So, they’re very different relationships.
Do you have any regrets about your sobriety journey?
TA: I have nothing but gratitude. My life is a struggle — horrifying, blessed, happy, sad. But somebody said, “If you’re going to do something that you’re going to say ‘sorry’ for tomorrow, don’t do it.” So, I don’t do things like that. It’s been a struggle because not being able to hide behind drugs and alcohol was difficult.
What’s been your proudest accomplishment?
TA: I’ve learned to be an older brother to my sometimes-dramatic family. I’ve learned from sobriety. I stay away from the words “should, could and would.” I’ve learned from life. I’m there just to listen.
