Photo Courtesy of ABC
Home Improvement features Tim Taylor (Tim Allen), a former salesman with the Binford Tool Company who now has his own home improvement show, “Tool Time”. Enormously accident prone, Tim isn’t the best at completing a project and nearly every show features some kind of disaster. Luckily, the audience seem ready to believe that the mishaps are deliberate, there to illustrate what NOT to do. Tim does, however, have a talent for fixing cars, something mostly evidenced at home where he is working on building two hot rods.
Tim’s show features two others, Al Borland (Richard Karn) and “Tool Time” girl Lisa. Master plumber and licensed contractor Al is Tim’s assistant and close friend. Bearded and plaid-wearing, he tries hard to please his mother and is very knowledgeable about tools. Lisa’s (Pamela Anderson) contribution to the show begins and ends with introducing Tim and Al and handing them tools, and she was later written out when Anderson, not surprisingly, wanted bigger acting roles. Lisa is replaced by Heidi (Debbe Dunning), who eventually appears in other parts of the show as well as the “Tool Time” sections.
Photo Courtesy of ABC
As for Tim’s personal life, he is married with three sons and is a passionate supporter of the sports teams of his home city of Detroit. His wife Jill (Patricia Richardson) works at a magazine at the beginning of the series, but later studies to become a psychologist. She comes from a large family with a military background and loves cars, ballet, opera and volunteering at the library. An excellent wife and mother, her one flaw is her cooking, about which Tim and the boys regularly make disparaging remarks. Despite their many differences Tim and Jill have a strong marriage, and Tim is particularly close to the eldest of his three sons, Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan). Brad likes to work on the hot rods with his dad, chase girls and play soccer. Middle son Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is very intelligent, writes for the school paper and develops an increasingly strong environmental conscience as he gets older. Like his father, he enjoys playing jokes on people. Mark (Taran Noah Smith), the youngest Taylor son, is closest to his mother. More sensitive than his brothers, he participates in Cub Scouts for a while, takes karate, and later becomes something of a loner.
A number of other characters join the Taylor family and “Tool Time” regulars. Marty Taylor (William O’Leary) is Tim’s youngest brother, and is married with twin daughters. He has constant marital problems and his autism means he struggles to hold down a job. Tim’s oldest brother, Jeff Taylor (Thom Sharp), also seems unable to keep a job, though in his case his problems stem from his enthusiasm for business projects that inevitably turn out badly. Then there’s Harry Turner (Blake Clark), owner of Tim’s favorite hardware store, “Harry’s Hardware”. He has four sons and is unhappily married to Delores (Shirley Prestia). Tim’s friend Benny Baroni (Jimmy Labriola) spends most of his time hanging out at the hardware store or trying to get something for nothing. Last but not least is Wilson (Earl Hindman). Wise and well-travelled, Wilson is the Taylors’ next door neighbor and a source of sage advice, which he freely dispenses. His parents never allowed him to speak to his neighbors while he was growing up, and Wilson is now making up for lost time, particularly enjoying his conversations with Tim. Wilson’s whole face is never shown in the show, a running gag that gives rise to lots of creative camera angles as the series progresses.
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Main Cast
| Character | Actor |
|---|---|
| Tim Taylor | Tim Allen |
| Jill Taylor | Patricia Richardson |
| Al Borland | Richard Karn |
| Brad Taylor | Zachery Ty Bryan |
| Randy Taylor | Jonathan Taylor Thomas |
| Mark Taylor | Taran Noah Smith |
| Wilson Wilson, Jr. | Earl Hindman |
| Heide Keppert | Debbe Dunning |
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Additional Cast
| Character | Actor | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Marty Taylor | William O’Leary | 1994-1999 |
| Benny Baroni | Jimmy Labriola | 1993-1999 |
| Lisa | Pamela Anderson | 1991-1997 |
| Harry | Blake Clark | 1994-1999 |
| Ilene Markham | Sherry Hursey | 1993-1997 |
| Pete Bilker | Mickey Jones | 1991-1999 |
| Dwayne Hoover | Gary McGurk | 1991-1999 |
| Rock Lannigan | Casey Sander | 1991-1999 |
| Bud Harper | Charles Robinson | 1995-1999 |
| Milton | Milton Canady | 1995-1999 |
| Marie Morton | Mariangela Pino | 1993-1995 |
| Dolores | Shirley Prestia | 1995-1999 |
| Karen Kelly | Betsy Randle | 1992-1993 |
| Jennifer Sudarsky | Jessica Wesson | 1992-1993 |
| Lauren | Courtney Peldon | 1996-1998 |
| Patty | Tammy Lauren | 1997-1999 |
| Felix Myman | Al Fann | 1991-1999 |
| Antonio | Vasili Bogaziano | 1996-1999 |
| Sparky | Patrick Cronin | 1996-1999 |
| Jeff Taylor | Thom Sharp | 1996-1999 |
| Carrie Patterson | Tudi Roche | 1991-1998 |
| Lucille Taylor | Bonnie Bartlett | 1995-1998 |
| Trudy McHale | Megan Cavanagh | 1998-1999 |
| Willow Wilson | China Kantner | 1997-1998 |
| Lillian Patterson | Polly Holliday | 1993-1999 |
| Eddie McCormack | Tom La Grua | 1994-1999 |
| Angela | Kristen Clayton | 1996-1997 |
| Cal Borland | Keith Lehman | 1995-1999 |
| Nancy Taylor | Jensen Daggett | 1994-1995 |
| Marge | Francesca P. Roberts | 1994-1999 |
| Ronny | Kaylan Romero | 1997-1998 |
| Jason | Jarrad Paul | 1995-1996 |
| Gracie Taylor | Ashley Trefger | 1998-1999 |
| Claire Taylor | Lindsey Trefger | 1998-1999 |
| Stage Manager | Shawn Shea | 1991-1997 |
| Bob Vila | as himself | 1992-1994 |
| Maureen Binford | Vicki Lewis | 1992 |
| Art Leonard | Dick O’Neill | 1994-1996 |
| Mario Andretti | as himself | 1992-1999 |
| Beth | Anndi McAfee | 1994-1995 |
| Ned | Tom Poston | 1995-1997 |
| Ashley | Leigh Ann Orsi | 1993-1994 |
| Ken Bowersox | as himself | 1994-1998 |
| Michael Andretti | as himself | 1992-1996 |
| June Palmer | Gretchen German | 1995-1997 |
| Buzz | Lowell Sanders | 1994-1999 |
| Morgan Wondell | Danny Zorn | 1999 |
| Dr. Brown | Robert Neches | 1995-1999 |
| Wes Davidson | Joel Polis | 1993-1994 |
| Joe Morton | Robert Picardo | 1993 |
| Dr. Hanover | Peter Michael Goetz | 1999 |
| Dr. Lloyd Fields | Joel Higgins | 1999 |
| Greta Post | Jennifer Nash | 1991-1992 |
| Bert Russell | Mark L. Taylor | 1995 |
| Curtis | Aaron Freeman | 1992 |
| Linda | Carlene Watkins | 1996-1997 |
| Ian | Tom Wopat | 1997-1998 |
| Cynthia | Debra Engle | 1992-1999 |
| Bonnie | Bonnie Hellman | 1993-1995 |
| Irma | Angela Paton | 1994-1995 |
| Judith Haber | Beth Dixon | 1995 |
| Dave | Tony Carreiro | 1992 |
| Col. Fred Patterson | M. Emmet Walsh | 1994 |
| George | Mike Grief | 1995-1999 |
| Tracy | Maryedith Burrell | 1996-1997 |
| Doug | George DelHoyo | 1997 |
| Mike | Earl Billings | 1992-1995 |
| John Binford | Noble Willingham | 1992 |
| Bob | John Voldstad | 1994-1995 |
| Jay | Jay Leno | 1995-1999 |
| Carol | Ja’net DuBois | 1991-1995 |
| Dr. Larry Lindover | Murray Rubinstein | 1994-1995 |
| Michelle Russell | Kimberly Cullum | 1995 |
| Audience Member #2 | Margaret Fitzgerald | 1994-1995 |
| Brenda | Jolie Jackunas | 1995-1997 |
| Janeen Rae Heller | as herself | 1992-1999 |
| Kelvin Pritchett | as himself | 1994-1995 |
| John ‘Juke’ Logan | as himself | 1992-1999 |
| Barry | Eric Saiet | 1997 |
| Delivery Man #1 | Rocky Giordani | 1991-1995 |
| Fireman #2 | Gary Bayer | 1991 |
| Ben | Haynes Brooke | 1997-1998 |
| Bouncer | Vic Stagliano | 1992-1996 |
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Trivia
Home Improvement was one of the most popular sitcoms of the 90’s.
The character of Wilson (Earl Hindman) was drawn from Tim Allen’s childhood memories of being too short to see his neighbor over the fence.
Patricia Richardson’s (Jill) father suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or PSP, and died in 2005. Richardson is the national spokesperson for “Cure PSP”.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas’s character of Randy eventually becomes a vegetarian, like Taylor Thomas himself.
Home Improvement was based on Tim Allen’s stand-up comedy and marked the start of his very lucrative film career.
Zachery Ty Bryan volunteers for assorted charities, primarily to help underprivileged children and those who have AIDS or cancer.
Earl Hindman’s wife Molly McGreevy is an ordained Episcopalian priest.
Richard Karn (Al) was a guest-star in the pilot of the series but became a regular cast member after only four shows. The part had originally been given to actor Stephen Tobolowsky, but he was busy shooting a movie and it had to be recast.
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Taran Noah Smith and his then wife, Heidi van Pelt, created a business called “Play food”, an organic and vegan restaurant and non-dairy cheese manufacturer. After their divorce and a lengthy legal battle she was removed from the business, and Smith later made a success of it.
In 1999 Jonathan Taylor Thomas was the first actor to win the lifetime achievement award at the “Nickelodeon’s Kids’ Choice Awards”. He won it for his role as Randy Taylor in Home Improvement.
In November 1999, in its third season, Home Improvement shot to number one in the ratings. That same week Tim Allen’s movie The Santa Clause went to number one, as did his book Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man.
Debbe Dunning (Heidi) was homecoming queen of her high school and in 1984 won the title of Miss Burbank.
Home Improvement stayed in the Top 10 throughout its eight seasons on the air.
Earl Hindman died of lung cancer on December 29, 2003.
Zachery Ty Bryan (Brad) made small appearances in a number of different TV shows and movies after Home Improvement ended.
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Jonathan Taylor Thomas enrolled at Harvard University in the year 2000, and spent his third year at St. Andrews University in Scotland. After doing only a few acting jobs in the past decade, he graduated from Columbia University in 2010.
Tim Allen bought 26 acres of campground in the state of Michigan for $2 million dollars to ensure it was not developed.
The first pilot shot for the series had actress Frances Fisher in the role of Jill. The producers decided she was too serious for the part, and it was recast with Patricia Richardson.
When Taran Noah Smith (Mark) was just seventeen years old he married Heidi Van Pelt, who was sixteen years his senior. They filed for divorce six years later.
Richard Karn was an apartment building manager before he got his break on Home Improvement. Cautious Karn kept his day job for the entire first season, wanting to be certain that the show would be a success.
Tim Allen has been arrested twice. The first time was in 1978 for possession of 1.43 lbs. of cocaine and he pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking, supplying the names of other drug dealers in exchange for a lighter sentence. He got three to seven years and was paroled after serving slightly more than two. The second time was in 1997, during Home Improvement’s run, for a DUI in the state of Michigan. He had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 per cent and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas left the series at the beginning of the last season to concentrate on his schooling. He returned for the Christmas episode of season eight but not for the series finale.
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Tim Allen is currently starring with Nancy Travis in the series Last Man Standing.
Debbe Dunning is married to Steve Timmons, an American volleyball player.
Several different colleges and universities in Michigan, where the show was set, sent Tim Allen (Tim Taylor) T-shirts and sweaters which he wore on the show.
Patricia Richardson also starred in the popular Lifetime series Strong Medicine.
Zachery Ty Bryan was the youth spokesman for “World Cup ’94 Soccer”.
Tim Taylor was ranked twentieth in TV Guide’s list of the “50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time”.
Richard Karn’s mother, Louise, died in 1983 from bone marrow cancer. He said, “I thought my parents were invincible. It never occurred to me she would die”.
Taran Noah Smith was arrested in 2012 on suspicion of DUI and possession of marijuana.
Photo Courtesy of ABC
Tim Allen has been nominated for and won a number of awards, including being named a “Disney Legend”.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was #25 in VH1’s list of the “100 Greatest Kid Stars”.
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