ArtistInfo

Duane Allen

1937-2003 US, Alhambra, California

A.k.a. Duane Douglas Allen

Duane Douglas Allen (b. October 21, 1937 in Alhambra, California USA, d. May 7, 2003 in Pasadena, California, USA of a stroke or heart attack) was a professional American football tight end in the National Football League, actor, and musician. He was married to Kazon Allen from 1968 until his death on May 7, 2003). They had one child. Football Career: College - Duane Allen was an integral part of the 1960 Santa Ana College football team that defeated Fullerton, 19-6; posted a 6-3 overall record and finished second in the Eastern Conference under second-year head coach Homer Beatty. Allen’s talents didn’t go unnoticed as he was named Santa Ana College’s Athlete of the Year and the Eastern Conference Lineman of the Year. He was also recognized nationally earning Junior College All-American honors during his only season with the Dons. NFL - In 1961, Allen was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams and became the first of just two Santa Ana College football players to make the jump from community college football to the professional ranks. The former Don spent seven years in the National Football League (NFL) playing for the Los Angeles Rams (1961-64), Baltimore Colts (1965-66) and Chicago Bears (1967). As a rookie for the Los Angeles Rams in 1961, Allen helped his team complete five of the first seven passes of the season for touchdowns. “Duane’s philosophy about the team game of football was that football taught you cooperation, because you must rely on someone else and someone else must rely on you,” said Kazon Allen, Allen’s wife of 39 years. Following his seven-year stint in the NFL, Allen coached both high school football and track and served as head coach of the Las Vegas Cowboys who competed in the Continental Professional Football League. Allen was also an active volunteer with the Special Olympics. Movie Career: Duane Allen was also an actor, known for Tango & Cash (1989), Mandingo (playong the part of Topaz) (1975) and Law & Order (1990). In his role as Topaz in the 1975 film Mandingo, Allen acts out a famous fighting scene. Musical Career: Duane Allen played live in Southern California USA for 25 years in a duo with Mike Burke. Duane and Mike met and worked at Mark Keppel High School in Alhambra, CA for many years and were both coaches at the school. They were billed differently at various times during their careers as "The Light & Dark Of Soul", "Just The Two Of Us" and simply, "Duane & Mike." Wrestling career: Duane Allen was a professional wrestler in 1973. He fough in 18 matches, but results seem to only be available for 14 of those matches, with 13 wins and one defeat.

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