Byron Allen is an American businessman, TV producer and comedian who has carved a successful career in the entertainment industry . As the head of Entertainment Studios and owner of Allen Media Group his contributions have made a pretty significant impact . Byron Allen net worth is thought to be around $ 450 million . His journey is one of determination and entrepreneurial spirit .
A Passion for Show Business
He was born on April 22 1961 in Detroit Michigan . Allen developed an interest in show business from a young age . Growing up in Los Angeles he was exposed to the industry through his mother Carolyn Folks who worked as a publicist at NBC studios . He absorbed the inner workings of the entertainment world while accompanying his mother to work .
At the age of 14 Allen’s comic career really began to take off. He started doing stand-up performances at multiple comedy clubs throughout Los Angeles which ultimately caught the curiosity of comedian Jimmie Walker . As a result of this he received a request to join Walker’s comedy writing team where he got the chance to work together with accomplished comedians like David Letterman and Jay Leno. At the age of 18 Allen made his debut on television on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson”.
Television Career and Entrepreneurship
Early on in his career Allen presented episodes of the NBC show “Real People” on a regular basis. His one-night triumph on “The Tonight Show” lead to an invitation to become part of the cast of “Real People” at the start of the show’s second season . Through this training he was able to gain knowledge of the directing, producing and financing sides of the television production process.
In 1992 Allen launched his own TV show Jammin which ran for 21 seasons . In 1993 he founded Entertainment Studios in Los Angeles which marked his entry into TV production . The company’s first weekly series Entertainers with Byron Allen was well received by the audiences.
Over the years Allen’s entertainment company expanded its reach and influence . In 2018 it acquired the pay TV channel The Weather Channel and the following year entered into a partnership with Sinclair Broadcast Group to acquire Fox Sports Networks . In 2009 Allen made history as the first TV entrepreneur to simultaneously launch a portfolio of six 24 hour HD TV networks including Comedy, Pets, Cars, Recipe ES and MyDestination.TV . His companies now produce over 30 nationally syndicated programs and generate annual revenues that exceed $ 100 million .
Pursuing New Ventures and Milestones
As he prepares a bid to buy the NFL’s Denver Broncos Byron Allen has recently been in the headlines . The New England Patriots CEO Bob Kraft and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell both contacted him in 2019 . If successful Allen will become the first black person to own a team in the NFL .
