Bill Allen

Bill Allen was born William Lawrence Allen on November 7, 1962, in Wichita, Kansas. His family later relocated to Dallas, Texas, when he was four years old. His acting career began in high school with a production of Ray Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine.” After graduating, he pursued acting seriously, studying under Bryan O’Byrne. Allen secured a starring role in the unreleased film “And They’re Off” and was cast by director Robert Altman in the movie “Streamers” (1983) as Lieutenant Townsend, alongside Matthew Modine.

Upon moving to Los Angeles in 1983, Allen took on various television roles while working. He appeared in “Hill Street Blues,” “Hotel,” “Family Ties,” and “Amazing Stories.” A notable turning point in his career came with the 1986 film “Rad,” where he played the lead role of Cru Jones, a BMX racer. Despite not being a professional BMX rider, his portrayal was convincing. The film, initially a box office underperformer, later developed a significant cult following, cementing Allen’s connection to the BMX community. He continued to act in various projects, including “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989) and episodes of “The Lazarus Man” (1996) and “Breaking Bad” (2008).

In addition to his acting, Allen has engaged in other creative pursuits. He authored the memoir “My RAD Career,” sharing his experiences working on the iconic film. He has also been involved in music, touring with the band The Pipefitters, where he plays the harmonica. His career demonstrates a consistent presence in entertainment, from early television appearances to feature films and more recent projects, including a documentary titled “A RAD Documentary” (2025).