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Fred Allen

Acting Born May 31, 1894 Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA 20 credits

Biography

John Florence Sullivan (May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956), known professionally as Fred Allen, was an American comedian whose absurdist, topically pointed radio show (1932–1949) made him one of the most popular and forward-looking humorists in the so-called classic era of American radio. His best-remembered gag was his long-running mock feud with friend and fellow comedian Jack Benny, but it was only part of his appeal; radio historian John Dunning (in On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio) wrote that Allen was radio's most admired comedian and most frequently censored. A master adlibber, Allen often tangled with his network's executives (and often barbed them on the air over the battles), while developing routines the style and substance of which influenced contemporaries and futures among comic talents, including Groucho Marx, Stan Freberg, Henry Morgan and Johnny Carson, but his fans also included President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and novelists William Faulkner, John Steinbeck and Herman Wouk (who began his career writing for Allen). Ironically, in view of his often barbed observations of the medium, Fred Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for contributions to television

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Known for

What's My Line?

as Self

Full filmography

  • What's My Line? (1950) as Self
  • The Jack Benny Program (1950) as Fred Allen
  • The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
  • Your Show of Shows (1950)
  • O. Henry's Full House (1952) as Sam "Slick" Brown (segment "The Ransom of Red Chief")
  • We're Not Married! (1952) as Steve Gladwyn
  • Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio (1991) as Self - Predicts Demise of Radio (archive footage)
  • Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self - Tribute Montage (archive footage)
  • Sally, Irene and Mary (1938) as Gabby Green
  • Thanks a Million (1935) as Ned Lyman
  • It's in the Bag! (1945) as Fred Floogle
  • Love Thy Neighbor (1940) as Fred Allen
  • Behind Your Radio Dial (1949)
  • Buck Benny Rides Again (1940) as Fred Allen (voice)
  • The Great Radio Comedians (1971) as Self (Archive footage)
  • Judge for Yourself (1953) as Himself
  • The Still Alarm (1930) as First Fireman
  • Is Everybody Listening? (1947) as Fred Allen - Fred Allen Radio Program
  • The Installment Collector (1929) as Newspaper Editor
  • Fred Allen's Prize Playlets (1929)