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"Never quit" are words that sum up actor-writer-producer Todd Allen's approach to life and work. Known for his chameleon-like approach to different roles, this leading man is sometimes mistaken for a character actor. A mistake he relishes because it opens up so many different roles to him.Born in San Diego, California, the son of a naval aviator. Raised in Austin, Texas, he claims full Texan status and maintains close ties with his hometown friends and family in Austin. Allen graduated with honors from New Mexico Military Institute, where he attained the rank of lieutenant and was a platoon commander. While there, he was the New Mexico State Golden Gloves middleweight boxing champion and a captain of the boxing team. Subsequently, he returned to Austin and resumed his studies in the business school at the University of Texas. While there, he fell into acting and film, almost accidentally. Upon visiting a film set near Austin, it took him only 15 minutes to decide that movie sets were the right place for him. He has never looked back.He got his SAG card on the film 48 Hrs. (1982) starring Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. From there, he played a young Marine in Swing Shift (1989), directed by Jonathan Demme with Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell, Christine Lahti and Ed Harris. Next came Uncommon Valor (1983), in which he played Gene Hackman's son lost in Vietnam.When he got an unexpected call to play a role in Lawrence Kasdan's Silverado (1985), he first had to extricate himself from a contracted role in St. Elmo's Fire (1985). Director Joel Schumacher was gracious enough to release Allen from that film, and it was fortuitous. He has since appeared in two other Kasdan films, Wyatt Earp (1994) and Grand Canyon (1991), in which, in a very favorably reviewed role, he played a young LAPD officer who comes to the aid of Mary-Louise Parker.Forging a friendship with Kevin Costner on the set of Silverado (1985), Allen has appeared in several Costner films since then, including Wyatt Earp (1994) and The Postman (1997). Costner also signed on to executive-produce a mini-series with Allen producing, entitled "Not Between Brothers". Based on an award-winning novel by David Marion Wilkinson, it chronicles the collision of cultures - Anglo, Spanish and Comanche - that occurred in the forming of early Texas. The script was written by Emmy-winning writer Alan Brennert.As a producer, Allen has several projects in various stages of development including "The Deserters", a gritty western in the vein of The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962); "Suicide Grip", a love story set in the exciting world of professional rodeo; "Paris Underground", a true story of womens heroism in Nazi-occupied Paris which was previously set up at Gaylord Films; "Coleman Jail", the true story of a young girl's coming of age as a deputy in a small-town jail; "No Name on the Bullet", the true story of Audie Murphy's tragic and troubled life after being the most decorated soldier of WWII; and "The Empty Quarter", a story detailing the trials faced by a drilling crew sent to work a dangerous and unstable high-pressure well in a remote stretch of the Saudi Arabian desert.Allen has appeared in many television programs. Recent appearances include the very will reviewed role of "Marshal Bill Miller" in AMC's highly successful Mini-Series, "Broken Trail" (2006) (mini) starring Robert Duvall. Allen has just completed filming a Hallmark film entitled "Claire" and "American Identitiy", a short film dedicated those lost in the 9/11 attacks. He played a Marine Master Sergeant in Afghanistan. He also recently appeared in "Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" (2003) and "Monk" (2002). Past MOW's include The Soul Collector (1999) (TV) starring Melissa Gilbert, Bruce Greenwood and a young Hilary Duff; Night Visitors (1996) (TV), in which he starred with Faith Ford, Thomas Gibson and Eric McCormack.An early favorite of his was his role as a young Chuck Yeager in the CBS three-hour special Pancho Barnes (1988) (TV). Allen received many favorable notices for his portrayal of Yeager, including one from Yeager himself who, upon meeting the actor, told Allen, "You did all right".Allen's many guest starring appearances include, "Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service" (2003), "Monk" (2002), "JAG" (1995), "The Magnificent Seven" (1998), "Profiler" (1996) and a host of others. |
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