Jeff Allen (comedian)

For those of a similar name, see Jeffrey Allen (disambiguation) and Jeff Allan.
Jeff Allen
Birth name Jeffrey Allen Mishler
Born (1956-06-05) June 5, 1956
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Medium Film
Years active 1978–present
Influences Bill Cosby, Jerry Seinfeld
Spouse Tami Mishler

Jeff Allen (born Jeffrey Allen Mishler; June 5, 1956[1]) is an American comedian best known for his film Happy Wife, Happy Life, Revisited.[2] He is also known for his starring roles in several full-length comedy films, including: Bananas,[3] Thou Shalt Laugh,[4] Apostles of Comedy,[5] and Apostles of Comedy: Onwards and Upwards.[6] Allen currently tours [7] the United States performing in churches, corporate venues and comedy clubs.

Early life

Born in Chicago, Illinois, he moved to Sauk Village, Illinois at age five.[8] Allen’s father, Jack Mishler, aspired to be a painter but could only support his family as a construction worker.[9] His mother, Arlene Mishler, worked for 30 years at Stauffer Chemical Company.

Early career

Allen began his career in 1978 in the comedy clubs of Chicago. Humiliated by the low pay and lack of respect, Allen, then a self-declared atheist, turned to drugs and alcohol.[10] In 1987 he got sober and in 1997 he became a born-again Christian. As he worked clean, in the style of Bill Cosby and Jerry Seinfeld, churches became a significant venue for his act, which, unless specifically requested, is devoid of Christian references.[11]

Personal life

He lives in Fairview, Tennessee with his wife Tami and two children (although in his act there are three). His oldest son served with the 101st Airborne in Iraq.[12]

Humanitarian causes

Since becoming a Christian, Jeff Allen has been involved with many humanitarian causes, including being an early supporter of the Bridge Ministry.[13] For years he served as a “World Vision Artist” – performing at various events and espousing the virtues of the organization.[14] In 2012, Jeff Allen became allied with Gestures of Generosity [15] sponsored by Thrivent Financial,[16] a faith-based, $75 billion not-for-profit Fortune 500 company which provides financial and philanthropic services throughout the world. Gestures of Generosity supports multiple humanitarian causes, including intervening in human trafficking. Allen performs annually, and is a spokesperson for, Hope House International,[17] an international ministry for orphans.

Filmography

Discography

Television and other major appearances

Books and other publications

References

  1. ↑ “Announcing Apostles of Comedy” Zanies.com, September 8, 2008
  2. ↑ Happy Wife, Happy Life, Revisited
  3. ↑ Bananas
  4. ↑ Thou Shalt Laugh
  5. ↑ Apostles of Comedy
  6. ↑ Apostles of Comedy: Onwards and Upwards
  7. ↑ tours
  8. ↑ “Announcing Apostles of Comedy” Zanies.com, September 8, 2008
  9. ↑ “Christian Comedy: And He Say That It Was Funny” Chicago Tribune, November 07, 2011
  10. ↑ “Christian Comedy: And He Say That It Was Funny” Chicago Tribune, November 07, 2011
  11. ↑ "Jeff Allen Bio | The Grable Group"
  12. ↑ “Announcing Apostles of Comedy” Zanies.com, September 8, 2008
  13. ↑ Bridge Ministry
  14. ↑ "Artists and Speakers". World Vision Canada. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  15. ↑ Gestures of Generosity
  16. ↑ Thrivent Financial
  17. ↑ Hope House International
  18. ↑ Happy Wife, Happy Life®
  19. ↑ Ken Davis and Friends: Lighten Up and Laugh
  20. ↑ Happy Wife, Happy Life, Revisited®
  21. ↑ The Bananas Comedy Special: Volume I
  22. ↑ The Bananas Comedy Special: Volume II
  23. ↑ Thou Shalt Laugh
  24. ↑ Apostles of Comedy – The Movie
  25. ↑ My Heart, My Comedy
  26. ↑ Apostles of Comedy – Onwards and Upwards
  27. ↑ Happy Wife, Happy Life, Revisited
  28. ↑ The Bananas Comedy Special: Volume I
  29. ↑ Three Word Vocabulary™
  30. ↑ "Jeff Allen on Focus | The Grable Group"
  31. ↑ My Life as a Bystander
  32. ↑ Living with Teenagers
  33. ↑ Homelife
  34. ↑ Homecoming
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