Actor and comedian Tim Allen has made a surprising claim about a past conversation with former US President Donald Trump, stating he was the one who talked the businessman out of pursuing a career in Hollywood.
The Pivotal Podcast Revelation
The revelation came during an appearance on Bill Maher’s Club Random podcast. Allen recounted a discussion that took place before Trump entered the political arena, while he was still starring in the reality TV show The Apprentice.
According to Allen, Trump was seriously considering a move to Los Angeles to break into the film business. The conversation reportedly involved detailed talks about potential movie budgets and even how to set up a studio.
A Lesson in Hollywood Economics
Allen, who has starred in major film franchises like Toy Story and The Santa Clause, explained the stark financial realities of film production to the property mogul. He highlighted the immense risks, particularly the high costs of promotion and the difficulty of recouping investments if a movie flops.
He contrasted this volatile model with Trump's familiar world of real estate, where a physical asset like a building retains value regardless of market fluctuations.
The Business Decision That Stuck
The actor's frank advice apparently hit home. Allen claims the discussion led Trump to conclude that the film industry was not for him. The key takeaway for Trump, as presented by Allen, was that a failed movie leaves you with nothing of tangible value, unlike a building which remains an asset.
This insight reportedly cemented Trump's decision to avoid film production, a path that could have dramatically altered his public trajectory before his eventual run for the White House. The conversation offers a rare glimpse into a crossroads moment for one of the world's most famous figures, mediated by an unlikely advisor from the entertainment world.