Byron Allen’s evolution from teen comic to media mogul

A photo of Byron Allen from his youth in his little league baseball uniform.

14-year-old Byron Allen in a Jimmie Walker comedy writing session with a then-unknown David Letterman (and Jimmie Walker) from 1975.

Byron Allen with his mother, Carolyn Folks at NBC Studios in Burbank, CA. Folks worked for years at NBC as an intern, tour guide, and network publicist during Byron's childhood years in the 1970s.

18-year-old Byron Allen makes his first appearance on "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson" in May, 1979.

Byron Allen with fellow co-hosts of “Real People” a TV series that profiled the lives of ordinary people. The show ran on NBC from 1979 to 1984. Pictured with Allen are (clockwise from left): Bill Rafferty, John Barbour, Skip Stephenson, Sarah Purcell.

Lionel Richie poses with Byron Allen at the annual Spirit of Chrysalis Awards on Oct. 3, 2001 in Beverly Hills.

Byron Allen and his wife Jennifer Lucas arrive at the 16th Annual Race to Erase MS event on May 8, 2009 in Century City, Calif.

Quincy Jones and Byron Allen attend Byron Allen's Oscar Gala Viewing Party to Support The Children's Hospital Los Angeles on March 4, 2018 in Beverly Hills.

Jason Clarke, Byron Allen, and actor Ed Helms pose at the after party for the premiere of Entertainment Studios Motion Picture's "Chappaquiddick" on March 28, 2018 in Beverly Hills.

Byron Allen on the set of “Funny You Should Ask.”

Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO, Entertainment Studios, appears at the Supreme Court of the United States for racial discrimination suit against Comcast on Nov. 13, 2019 in Washington, DC.

Pictured in this screengrab: Byron Allen, Tiffany Haddish, Kenan Thompson and Billy Crystal perform on Byron Allen’s Feeding America Comedy Festival, co-produced by Entertainment Studios and Funny or Die, broadcasted on NBC, The Weather Channel, Comedy.TV and Local Now on May 10, 2020.

Byron Allen attends the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony in his honor on Oct. 20, 2021 in Hollywood.

(L-R) Byron Allen, founder, Chairman and CEO of the Allen Media Group and Chris Tucker appear at the National Museum of African American History & Culture at Byron Allen's gala event celebrating correspondent April Ryan's 25th anniversary covering the White House on April 30, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Byron Allen and his son Lucas pose on the red carpet during the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Feb. 2, 2025.

Byron Allen sits with his family as they attend the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena on April 19, 2025 in Los Angeles.

Byron Allon on the set of “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen.”