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Public records list Fred Allen as a comedian, radio personality and screenwriter. Fred Allen was born on May 31, 1894 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Death is recorded on March 17, 1956, at the age of 61. Education on record includes Boston University. Awards on record include Peabody Awards and star on Hollywood Walk of Fame (1960).
My Take
Fred Allen represents something I find genuinely admirable: comedy with a brain. A Boston University man born plain John Sullivan, he turned radio's Golden Age into a stage for absurdist, topically sharp satire that felt ahead of its time. Earning a Peabody and a posthumous Hollywood star, he proved that wit aimed at the world could be both popular and intelligent. What impresses me most is that he made people laugh using voice alone, no screen, no visuals, just timing and language. In an era of endless imagery, that pure command of the spoken word strikes me as a lost art worth honoring.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Fred Allen
- Name (Japanese)
- フレッド・アレン
- Reading
- ふれっど・あれん
- Born
- May 31, 1894 – March 17, 1956
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Gemini / Horse
- Origin
- Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Occupation
- comedian / radio personality / screenwriter / journalist / actor
2. Background
- University
- Boston University
Awards & achievements
- Peabody Awards
- 1960 star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred%20Allen
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q967454
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Fred Allen born?
Born May 31, 1894.
When did Fred Allen die?
Died March 17, 1956, aged 61.
Where was Fred Allen from?
Fred Allen was from Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States.
What did Fred Allen do?
Fred Allen worked as comedian, radio personality, screenwriter, journalist, actor.
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