Dan Allen

:"For the pioneer gambler in Omaha, Nebraska see Dan Allen (gambler)"

Dan Allen (1973 to present) is a stand-up comedian currently based in New York City.

Allen has had considerable training in improvisation from the Upright Citizen's Brigade and has performed regularly at the World Famous Comic Strip. He has written for US Weekly's Fashion Police and was featured in Playgirl. He also has also appeared on Comedy Central's "Premium Blend".

Biography

He was born in Daytona Beach, Florida. His family was poor and apt to move from place to place. They eventually settled down in San Antonio, Texas. While at school Allen was an avid reader. Because of this, he was considered a geek and became alienated from his classmates. He graduated from Robert E. Lee High School (San Antonio, Texas).

After school he joined the United States Air Force Reserves and applied to Texas A&M University. When accepted he enrolled in the aerospace engineering program. He was soon dismayed to find that he exceeded the height requirements and would not be able to become an astronaut. After this realization, he continued his term in the military as an Air Transportation Specialist.

When his term in the reserves came to an end, Allen moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia to help his uncle run a pawn shop. There he quickly excelled, and was eventually offered his own shop to run. Allen refused the offer. He discovered comedy and moved to New York.

External links and references

* [http://www.taoofdan.com Dan Allen's official site]
* [http://gothamist.com/2005/12/20/dan_allen_comed_1.php Gothamist interview]
* [http://www.comedycentral.com/comedians/browse/a/dan_allen.jhtml Comedy Central profile]