Monday 30th October 2000

Entertainer, author, and comedian Steve Allen (78) was driving to Encino, California to see his son Bill when his car was struck by a sports utility vehicle backing out of a driveway. The impact of the hit ruptured a blood vessel in Allen’s chest, allowing blood to leak into the sac surrounding his heart. He died later that evening. Allen was the creator and first host of the Tonight Show, was a prolific songwriter, and was married to actress Jayne Meadows.