Dennis Roy Allen (June 10, 1940 – December 1, 1995) was an actor and comedian. He was a regular cast member onRowan and Martin's Laugh-In,[1][2] and appeared onLove American Style. He starred oppositeRuth Buzzi inGene Kelly's Broadway production ofClownAround.[3][4][5][unreliable source?] He died in 1995 of lung cancer, aged 55.[1]
Born and raised inRaytown, Missouri, Allen earned a Bachelor and master's degrees from theBoston University College of Fine Arts.[6] After completing his education, he moved to New York and began his career performing in anOff-Broadway music revue of material byJulius Monk in the Plaza 9 club at thePlaza Hotel.[6] He spent next four years performing sketch comedy in New York clubs, and working as an actor in radio and television commercials.[6]
In 1968, Allen was cast asCalvin Coolidge in William F. Brown and composer-lyricist Oscar Brand's musicalHow To Steal An Election. Earning rave reviews for his performance; he drew the attention of the producers ofRowan and Martin's Laugh-In and was invited to join the cast. From 1970 through 1973, he was a main cast member ofLaugh-In; there he was reunited with formerClownAround co-star Ruth Buzzi.[6]
The tall, lanky Dennis Allen was the most physical of theLaugh-In troupe, often doing spectacularly awkward falls and being on the receiving end of physical punishment (hit with opening doors, assaulted by other cast members, etc.). The series writers took full advantage of Allen's athletic abilities, and often cast him in blackouts as a hapless victim of circumstance who always gets knocked around. The writers also created a recurring character for Allen: Eric Clarified (a sendup of news analystEric Sevareid), who would attempt to address a newsworthy topic and get hopelessly confused while explaining it.
Allen also created his own recurring character, "Chaplain Bud Homily", a mild-mannered parson who reflected on the spiritual things in life, only to be soaked with water, pelted with debris, or sent through trap doors in the floor. When Rowan and Martin took charge of theLaugh-In series in 1972, they dismissed most of the cast members in favor of new faces, but retained those they considered most valuable: Dennis Allen, Ruth Buzzi,Richard Dawson, andGary Owens;Lily Tomlin was kept on for limited appearances.
After the show ended, Allen worked in a few television commercials and then returned to Missouri. He resided in Kansas City. During this time he struggled with substance abuse. After receiving treatment, he recovered and worked for a time with a program that assisted boys who were emotionally disturbed.[6]
Allen resumed his career as an actor in regional theatre in and around Kansas City, often portraying comedy roles.[6]
He died inKansas City, Missouri of lung cancer at the age of 55.[1]
