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Tim Allen Reveals Secret Behind Famous Grunt
29 Nov
Summary
- Tim Allen's iconic grunt was inspired by observing men at corporate gigs.
- Bob Seger advised Allen to develop a memorable 'hook' for his performances.
- The grunt's script notation was 'Ough,' reflecting its simple, primal nature.

Tim Allen recently detailed the inspiration behind his iconic grunt from 'Home Improvement' during an appearance on The Tonight Show. The 72-year-old actor shared that the sound, which became a signature element of his character Tim 'The Tool Man' Taylor, was developed after receiving advice from musician Bob Seger.
Seger, a fellow Detroit native, had encouraged Allen to create a memorable 'hook' for his performances. Following this advice, Allen observed men at corporate gigs and noted their grunting sounds during conversations. He also recalled how men in his own family would grunt rather than speak while eating.
The actor, who starred in the '90s sitcom from 1991 to 1999, mentioned that the grunt was script-notated as 'Ough.' This seemingly simple sound, which has continued to be a recognizable part of his persona, remains a source of amusement for Allen.




