Jeff Allen (comedian)


Jeffrey Allen Mishler, known professionally as Jeff Allen, is an American comedian best known for his film Happy Wife, Happy Life, Revisited. He is also known for his starring roles in several full-length comedy films, including: Bananas, Thou Shalt Laugh, Apostles of Comedy, and Apostles of Comedy: Onwards and Upwards.

Early life

Born in Sauk Village, Illinois, he moved to Sauk Village, Illinois at age five. Allen's father, Jack Mishler, aspired to be a painter but could only support his family as a construction worker. 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. 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.

Personal life

He lives in Fairview, Tennessee with his wife Tami and two children. His oldest son served with the 101st Airborne in Iraq.