Tim Allen has been known as America’s dad for decades. This came after he played fathers on three iconic sitcoms: Home Improvement, Last Man Standing, and now Shifting Gears.

In real life, Allen is the father of two daughters: Katherine, 36, and Elizabeth, 16. In a new interview, Allen is opening up about how being a father to them helped him become America’s dad onscreen.

Allen Becomes America’s Dad

“I don’t know what it’s like to have sons,” Allen, 72, told Us Weekly of bringing his experience to his work. “I like being a father to girls.”

Allen starred on Home Improvement from 1991 until 1999. On that show, he played the father of three sons.

“It was new to me, and it took a while for me to be that [father figure],” Allen recalled of that time. “I felt like more of a funny, mischievous older brother for quite a while — especially to the boys on Home Improvement.”

Allen later starred on Last Man Standing from 2011 until 2021. On that sitcom, be portrayed the father of three daughters, one of whom was played by Kaitlyn Dever. Allen quickly developed a close paternal bond with her.

On Last Man Standing with Kaitlyn Dever, I was a mentor because I aligned myself with her comedy style,” he recounted. “I really was all about encouraging her the best I could. She listened and I didn’t know that she was picking it up until every now and then in her scenes.”

Dever and Allen still share a strong bond to this day. Watch her recently surprise Allen on the Shifting Gears set in the video below.

Kaitlyn Dever, the actress who played the youngest daughter on Last Man Standing makes a pit stop to see Tim Allen on Shifting Gears. pic.twitter.com/LH7UqWWfJZ

— Paul Varney (@PaulVar14194300) December 7, 2025

Allen’s Bond With His TV Kids

When asked if he keeps in touch with his TV kids, Allen replied, “We do holidays, birthdays, weddings and unfortunately, funerals. Their lives have moved on, [but] I’ve done the Buzz Lightyear voice for [their kids].”

As for the toughest part of watching his TV children grow up, Allen responded, “When it was easy to be a TV parent, it’s easy. When it’s difficult to be a TV parent, you really are of no value. [With the] Home Improvement kids, it was so long ago and I was brand new, and it was very difficult for me to be anywhere near a mentor. It wasn’t until later that I became more of a mentor. But they all had great parents.”

These days, Allen is starring as the widower Matt Parker. His character’s world is turned upside down when his estranged daughter, played by 39 year-old Kat Dennings, moves back home with her children. Allen’s oldest daughter is just a few years younger than Dennings. This has helped Allen connect with his character’s dynamic with Dennings’ role.

“The connection between Kat and myself is very similar to my older daughter and me,” Allen explained. “We used to disagree just naturally and then come back around.”

That doesn’t mean that Shifting Gears hasn’t come with some challenges, however.

“On Home Improvement, I never thought of lineage. On Last Man Standing, it was easy to see the growth. Shifting Gears is challenging because I [wasn’t sure where the story could go],” Allen stated. “But this group of writers, they’re geniuses. They keep coming up with stories.”

Watch Dennings gush over working with Allen as her TV dad in the video below.

Allen Loves Playing A TV Dad Again

In the end, Allen is having a blast playing another TV dad.

“You don’t know how smart this guy is. You don’t know who Matt Parker is,” Allen concluded. “He’s a little hard to pin down about what he really thinks [specifically politically]. I like to skirt all that. This guy has to deal with a car shop and always wanted to be a designer and artist. He’s not what you think. He knows about ballet and art. We’ll find out all that. I’ve always wanted to play an artist that’s also a fundamental fixer.”

Shifting Gears airs on Wednesday nights at 8pm on ABC. If you love Allen as much as we do, be sure to check it out!