cast of tool time where are they now

Tool Time Reunion: Where Are The Cast Of Home Improvement's DIY Show Now? (2025 Updates)

cast of tool time where are they now

It's "Tool Time" again, but not quite as you remember it. Decades after the iconic fictional DIY show *Tool Time* ended its run on the mega-hit sitcom *Home Improvement*, the cast members who brought Tim "The Toolman" Taylor, Al Borland, and Heidi Keppert to life have embarked on surprisingly diverse, and in some cases, truly shocking new paths. As of December 11, 2025, the biggest news is a major television reunion that has brought the dynamic duo back to the workshop, while other stars have faced both career resurgence and significant personal turmoil.

The core cast of the show-within-a-show has been busy, with two major stars reuniting for not one, but two new home-improvement-themed series. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the lives of the *Tool Time* crew and the wider Taylor family cast, detailing their biographies, recent projects, and where they are today.

The Core Tool Time Cast: Biographies and Current Projects

The heart of *Home Improvement* was the *Tool Time* set, where Tim, Al, and the Tool Time Girl delivered power-tool-fueled comedy. Here is a look at the lives and careers of the three main stars.

Tim Allen (Tim "The Toolman" Taylor)

  • Full Name: Timothy Alan Dick
  • Date of Birth: June 13, 1953 (Age 72 as of 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Denver, Colorado, U.S.
  • Key Roles Beyond Tool Time: Scott Calvin in *The Santa Clause* film series, Buzz Lightyear (voice) in the *Toy Story* franchise, Mike Baxter in *Last Man Standing*.
  • Estimated Net Worth: $100 Million–$110 Million
  • Current Status: Highly active in television and comedy.

Tim Allen has arguably had the most successful post-*Home Improvement* career, transitioning immediately into film and then back to sitcoms. In a massive win for nostalgic fans, Allen has officially reunited with his on-screen sidekick, Richard Karn, for two new shows.

The first, a competition series called *Assembly Required*, sees the pair hosting a show that spotlights builders across the country, which Allen has described as feeling like a real-life version of *Tool Time*. His latest project is the new series *Shifting Gears*, which features Allen as a retired race car driver and has become a reunion hub for the *Home Improvement* cast.

Richard Karn (Al Borland)

  • Full Name: Richard Karn Wilson
  • Date of Birth: February 17, 1956 (Age 69 as of 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington, U.S.
  • Key Roles Beyond Tool Time: Host of *Family Feud* (2002–2006), Host of *Bingo America*.
  • Estimated Net Worth: $10 Million
  • Current Status: Co-host and actor, frequently reuniting with Tim Allen.

Richard Karn, known for his flannel shirts and signature phrase "I don't think so, Tim," has become a successful game show host in addition to his acting career. His on-screen chemistry with Tim Allen was undeniable, and fans were thrilled when the duo announced their partnership on *Assembly Required*. He has also been a major part of the *Home Improvement* cast reunions, including on Allen's new series *Shifting Gears*.

Debbe Dunning (Heidi Keppert)

  • Full Name: Debra Dunning
  • Date of Birth: July 11, 1966 (Age 59 as of 2025)
  • Place of Birth: Burbank, California, U.S.
  • Key Roles Beyond Tool Time: Various modeling and commercial work, including being a spokesperson for Miller Genuine Draft.
  • Estimated Net Worth: $1 Million–$4 Million
  • Current Status: Television host and travel enthusiast.

Debbe Dunning, who took over the role of the Tool Time Girl from Pamela Anderson (Lisa) in 1992, has continued her career as a television personality and travel host. Today, she is best known for hosting her own travel show, *Debbe Dunning's Dude Ranch Round-Up*, which premiered in 2017 on DirecTV's Cowboy Channel. This series explores unique dude ranches across the country, showcasing her passion for the outdoors and horses. She has also expressed interest in a full *Home Improvement* reunion and has been seen with the cast at conventions.

The Extended Taylor Family: From Sitcom Stardom to Legal Headlines

While the *Tool Time* set was the show's comedic engine, the Taylor family provided its heart. The lives of the actors who played Tim's wife and three sons have taken dramatically different, and highly publicized, turns since the series finale in 1999.

The Shocking Legal Troubles of the Taylor Sons

The actors who played the two oldest Taylor sons, Brad and Mark, have both made headlines in 2024 and 2025 for serious legal and financial issues, marking a stark contrast to their wholesome on-screen personas.

Zachery Ty Bryan (Brad Taylor)

Zachery Ty Bryan, who played the oldest son, Brad Taylor, has been in the news repeatedly for a string of legal problems. His troubles have been ongoing, with multiple arrests in recent years. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to felony assault. Disturbingly, 2024 brought more arrests, including two separate DUI arrests in two different states. He was also arrested in late 2024 for allegedly violating his probation from a prior domestic violence case. His fiancée was also booked during one of the arrests, adding to the complexity of his ongoing legal struggles.

Taran Noah Smith (Mark Taylor)

Taran Noah Smith, who played the youngest son, Mark Taylor, has also faced recent legal and financial challenges. After leaving acting to pursue a life away from Hollywood, Smith has become a businessman. However, as of June 2024, reports indicated he was arguing in court that he was too "broke" to meet certain legal obligations. He was also reportedly taken into custody in February 2024 by police in La Quinta, California. Smith’s life since the show has been one of attempting to find normalcy outside of the child star spotlight, including a stint running a vegan food company.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Randy Taylor)

Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT), the teen heartthrob who played the middle son, Randy Taylor, chose a completely different path: privacy. After famously leaving *Home Improvement* in the final season to focus on his education, Thomas has largely remained out of the public eye. He attended both Harvard University and Columbia University. As of 2024, Thomas maintains a very private life, with his last confirmed public sighting being a rare glimpse in 2023 when he was spotted buying coffee. He has an estimated net worth of $12 million.

Patricia Richardson and the Enduring Mystery of Wilson

No discussion of the Taylor household is complete without the matriarch and the mysterious neighbor.

Patricia Richardson (Jill Taylor)

Patricia Richardson, who played the sharp-witted wife Jill Taylor, has maintained a steady acting career, appearing in various films and TV projects. In a major reunion update, news broke in 2024 that Richardson would be reuniting with Tim Allen on his new series, *Shifting Gears*, playing a character separate from Jill Taylor. This reunion further solidifies the enduring bond between the main cast members, proving their chemistry is still a draw for audiences decades later.

Earl Hindman (Wilson W. Wilson Jr.)

The man behind the fence, Earl Hindman, who played the wise and partially-seen neighbor Wilson W. Wilson Jr., sadly passed away on December 29, 2003, at the age of 61. His death was caused by lung cancer, leaving a void in the hearts of the cast and fans alike. Though he is gone, his character remains an unforgettable icon of 90s television, a symbol of the show's unique blend of comedy and unexpected wisdom.

The Tool Time Legacy: Why The Cast Keeps Reuniting

The recent and ongoing reunions—from *Assembly Required* to the cast's appearances on *Shifting Gears* and the planned 90s Con 2026 event—speak volumes about the enduring popularity and camaraderie of the *Tool Time* cast. The magic that Tim Allen and Richard Karn captured as Tim Taylor and Al Borland, the bumbling host and his competent sidekick, was a massive part of the show's success, and that chemistry has translated into new, real-life DIY programming.

The show’s legacy is a complex one, encompassing the continued success of its lead, the quiet life of one son, and the highly publicized struggles of the others. Yet, the fact that the cast members continue to embrace their shared history, whether through new shows or convention appearances, proves that for millions of fans, it is always *Tool Time* somewhere.

cast of tool time where are they now
cast of tool time where are they now

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cast of tool time where are they now
cast of tool time where are they now

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