Laura Deibel Is Tim Allen's Ex-wife Who Stayed Friends with Him & Lives Privately

Laura Deibel had known her ex-husband, Tim Allen, since their college days; she stood by the actor after he landed in a penitentiary. Deibel also supported Allen early in his career but eventually took the "back seat" until their divorce in 2003.

Laura Deibel's support for the well-known actor and author Tim Allen was considered "legendary." She wed Allen in the mid-1980s but filed for the dissolution of their union after fifteen years of marriage. The former couple's relationship had strained over time.

They only welcomed one child together, but their family gradually fell apart as Allen's success burgeoned. Still, they managed to mend fences, and they became good friends. Since their separation, however, Deibel and her child have stayed hidden from the spotlight.

Laura Deibel Supported Tim Allen before His Fame

Deibel and Allen—who, as the original voice actor for the character, wasn't recast as Buzz Lightyear in 2022's "Lightyear"—met while they both studied at Western Michigan University. At the time, she was also a sales manager for an interior landscape.

Deibel would attend her former beau's comedy shows, which paid him $50 each show, at Kutlenio's in the early 80s. As Allen's longtime friend Rob Cowin recalled, each time he finished his set, she always waited to give him a "big hug and kiss."

She also stood by her love when he was caught distributing drugs in Michigan and had to spend 28 months in a federal penitentiary. Speaking on the matter in 1991 with PEOPLE Magazine, she said:

"We loved each other. It was that simple."

Things changed as Allen rose to fame. The couple married in 1984 and welcomed a daughter in 1990. The following year, Allen joined the cast of ABC's "Home Improvement" and went on to collect more notable accolades. However, his success came with a cost he seemed willing to pay.

Laura Deibel Was Driven Crazy as Her Marriage Slowly Crumbled

Allen gave his full dedication and commitment to his career, while Deibel had to raise their daughter, Katherine "Kady" Allen, alone and maintain their home life. He would rehearse for his Friday "Home Improvement" taping with his colleagues and enjoy a few beers at the end of each week.

Deibel and Katherine sometimes attended those Friday tapings, but Allen was still barely present in their lives. During a 1997 interview, he admitted to letting his family "slide." He slowed things down after the last season of "Home Improvement," but that didn't remedy the situation, as Cowin described:

"He's like a CEO who retires after 30 years on the job and suddenly comes home and has nothing to do but bother his wife. He's driving her crazy."

In 1998, Deibel's ex-husband confessed to "never" seeing his daughter. The following year, she filed for divorce. She and Allen reached a settlement, the details of which were kept private, in 2003. However, it is known that they received shared custody of their then-13-year-old kid.

Several years later, Allen said he was no longer the same guy he was when he first married. According to him, he did what most people "who drink too much" did: he wasn't connecting. However, with his youngest daughter, he was "much more present," as he said:

"I love the moments when I engage with my youngest daughter now. It’s not my thing to sit on the ground and play tea party, but I’ll do it because it’s a moment that will stick with me forever."

Laura Deibel & Tim Allen Remained Cordial Even after Divorce

Following their split, Deibel lived her life privately. Her inactive Facebook account, with a profile picture of herself and Katherine, indicated that she lived in Sherman Oaks. She helped run Allen's charitable foundation as the Events Chairman.

In December 2006, she attended one of its fundraisers, the "Comedy For Kids: Friends of Tim Allen 39th Annual Fundraiser." Deibel made another appearance in March 2010 alongside Allen at the 18th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Oscar Party along with their daughter. It was the last public event Deibel attended.

Katherine also made a few public appearances with her dad, such as at the LA Premiere of "The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause" and the Premiere of "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous," starring Sandra Bullock. Still, like her mom, she avoids the spotlight.