- Tim Allen’s parents were Gerald M. Dick, a real estate agent, and Martha Katherine Fox, a community worker.
- His father died in a car accident with a drunk driver in 1964 when Allen was 11.
- He grew up with four brothers and one sister, and later gained three step-siblings.
- In late September 2025, Allen announced he had forgiven his father’s killer, inspired by Erika Kirk’s compassion.
For more than 60 years, losing his father was a major part of Tim Allen’s life story. Recently, the well-known actor shared a powerful personal moment where he found peace, inspired by something unexpected.
This moment of closure shines a new light on the family that helped shape the man behind “The Tool Man” and Buzz Lightyear. Let’s take a look at the people behind Tim Allen’s rise to fame.

Tim Allen’s Mom and Dad: Gerald Dick and Martha Katherine Fox
Tim Allen was born Timothy Alan Dick on June 13, 1953, in Denver, Colorado. His parents were Gerald M. Dick, a real estate agent, and Martha Katherine Fox, who worked in community service. When Tim was just 11, tragedy struck. In November 1964, after a University of Colorado football game, their car was hit by a drunk driver.
His father Gerald died in the crash, breaking his neck and passing away in his wife’s arms. Tim remembers his dad as a “tall, strong, funny, really engaging guy” who had a huge impact on his life. Two years later, Tim’s mom remarried her high school sweetheart, a business executive, and they moved from Colorado to Birmingham, Michigan.
Growing Up with Siblings and Step-Siblings
Tim was the third oldest of six kids, he had four brothers and one sister. When his mom remarried, the household grew bigger as they joined with his stepdad’s three children. Despite the busy home, Tim said his stepfather knew how to make each child feel special.
Finding Peace: Forgiving the Man Behind the Tragedy
In September 2025, Tim Allen took to social media to share a deeply personal moment. He revealed that after more than 60 years, he found the courage to forgive the man who caused his father’s death. What moved Tim was a public act of forgiveness by Erika Kirk, widow of political activist Charlie Kirk, who forgave her husband’s accused killer during a memorial.
When Erika Kirk spoke the words on the man who killed her husband: “That man… that young man… I forgive him.” That moment deeply affected me. I have struggled for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad. I will say those words now as I type: “ I forgive the man who…
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) September 25, 2025
Tim wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “When Erika Kirk said… ‘That man… that young man… I forgive him,’ it really hit me.
I’ve been struggling for over 60 years to forgive the man who killed my Dad. Now, as I type this, I say it: ‘I forgive the man who killed my father.’” This announcement is an important step in Tim’s long journey to heal from a childhood tragedy that deeply affected him.
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Last Updated on September 26, 2025 by 247 News Around The World