By Hollywood Life
Home Improvement, the hit ABC sitcom that first aired in September 1991, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show followed Tim Taylor (played by Tim Allen), the bumbling host of the fictional home improvement show Tool Time, as he navigated family life with his wife Jill and their three sons. The series ran for eight successful seasons with its humor, heartfelt moments, and memorable characters before wrapping up in 1999.
Even decades after its finale, Home Improvement remains a cherished classic. Many cast members stayed close, reuniting occasionally on Tim Allen’s later sitcom, Last Man Standing. Let’s catch up with the stars and see where life has taken them since the show.
Tim Allen
Tim Allen’s portrayal of Tim “The Toolman” Taylor made him a household name. His comedic timing, signature grunt, and countless mishaps on Tool Time earned him five Golden Globe nominations, winning once in 1995. While still on Home Improvement, Allen became a major movie star, voicing Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story (1995) and starring in The Santa Clause trilogy.
After the show, Allen’s career flourished with roles in films like Galaxy Quest and Wild Hogs. In 2011, he returned to TV in Last Man Standing, a sitcom about a family man juggling his career and home life. The show ended in 2021 after nine seasons.
In his personal life, Allen married Jane Hajduk in 2006. They have a daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in 2009. He also has an older daughter, Katherine, from his first marriage to Laura Deibel.
Patricia Richardson
Patricia Richardson played Jill Taylor, the loving and level-headed matriarch of the Taylor family. Her performance earned her four Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nods.
After Home Improvement, Richardson took on notable TV roles, including Dr. Andy Campbell on Strong Medicine and Sheila Brooks on The West Wing. She also reunited with Tim Allen on Last Man Standing for a heartwarming cameo.
Today, Richardson continues to act in TV movies and advocates for various causes. She shares three children with her ex-husband, Ray Baker.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, or JTT, became a teen idol during his time as Randy Taylor, the witty middle son of the Taylor family. He also voiced young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King, solidifying his status as a ’90s star.
Thomas left Home Improvement in 1998 to focus on his education, later graduating from Columbia University in 2010. While he stepped back from acting, he occasionally appeared in shows like Smallville and Veronica Mars. He also reunited with Tim Allen on Last Man Standing, where he directed a few episodes. These days, he keeps a low profile and avoids the spotlight.
Zachery Ty Bryan
Zachery Ty Bryan played Brad Taylor, the eldest of the Taylor boys, known for his love of sports and rebellious streak. After the show, Bryan appeared in series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Veronica Mars. He also appeared in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.
In recent years, Bryan has faced legal troubles. He was arrested in 2020 and again in 2025 for domestic violence charges. He shares four children with his ex-wife Carly Matros, whom he married in 2007.
Taran Noah Smith
Taran Noah Smith, who played Mark Taylor, the youngest and most sensitive of the Taylor brothers, left acting after Home Improvement. He pursued other interests, including running a vegan restaurant and catering business.
Smith was briefly married to Heidi Van Pelt, but the couple divorced. Today, he is a technical manager for the Community Submersibles Project, building submarines and promoting ocean exploration.
Richard Karn
Richard Karn brought Al Borland, Tim’s loyal and lovable co-host on Tool Time, to life. After Home Improvement, Karn hosted game shows like Family Feud and starred in various TV movies. He recently reunited with Allen on the History Channel series Assembly Required, celebrating inventors and builders.
Karn has been married to Tudi Roche since 1985, and they have a son named Cooper.
Debbe Dunning
Debbe Dunning, who joined the cast as Heidi Keppert, the vivacious Tool Time assistant, continued her acting career post-Home Improvement. More recently, she hosted Debbe Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-Up, a travel series exploring dude ranches across the U.S.
Dunning has three children from her marriage to Steve Timmons, which ended in 2018.
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson played Lisa, the original Tool Time girl, during the first two seasons. She left the show to star in Baywatch, catapulting her to global fame.
Anderson has since focused on animal rights activism and appeared on reality shows like Dancing with the Stars. Her personal life has been eventful, with multiple marriages, including a brief union with bodyguard Dan Hayhurst in 2020.
Earl Hindman
Earl Hindman, who played Wilson, Tim’s wise and enigmatic neighbor, passed away in 2003 from lung cancer. His character, known for dispensing sage advice from behind a fence, remains one of the most iconic parts of the show.
Although Home Improvement ended over twenty years ago, its impact endures. The show left an indelible mark on pop culture, from Tim’s iconic grunt to Wilson’s wisdom. The cast members continue to entertain audiences in their own ways, proving that some tools of the trade never lose their charm.
