Home Improvement Cast – Then and Now

One of the greatest family sitcoms out there during the 1990s was Home Improvement. For all these seven years, since 1991, and through 1999, the series was on air, filling our ears with laughter, life lessons, and a few extremely memorable characters in the television land. Thirty years later, very few people had forgotten the famous grunts of Tim, the words of wisdom of Wilson, and the madness on Tool Time.

What happened to the home improvement cast after the show finished? In this updated blog, you’ll learn where every major actor in 2025 is now and what they have done all these years, plus the truth about the rumors of a reboot.

home improvement cast

1. Tim Allen as Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor

Then:

Tim Allen was the lead character, Tim Taylor, who hosted Tool Time. He loved tools, power, and just about any activity that ended up with something exploding- usually by accident. Tim was a very funny and endearing dad who would always find himself in some trouble.

Now (2025):

The activities of Tim Allen Hollywood are still in effect. He gave voice to Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, appeared in The Santa Clause series, and starred in the sitcom Last Man Standing. He has also collaborated with his old co-star, Richard Karn, on Assembly Required and More Power over the past few years, having both shows concerned with tools and home building.

In an interview, Tim Allen said he is considering rebooting Home Improvement and is considering calling it “Home Re‑Improvement.” The project is still in the early stage since nothing had been officially confirmed.

2. Patricia Richardson as Jill Taylor

Then:

Jill Taylor was played by Patricia. Jill is a nice smart and strong wife who tries to keep her husband Tim grounded while diverting him with her common sense. She is extremely caring about her family.

Now (2025):

Patricia has acted in such shows as Strong Medicine, The West Wing, and several guest roles, including one in Grey’s Anatomy. She has had numerous Emmy and Golden Globe award nominations.

In 2024, she put down the rumors of a reboot by saying no one ever asked her, and she’s not interested in playing Jill again. She said she felt the book was closed on it.

3. Zachery Ty Bryan as Brad Taylor

Then:

Brad was the oldest Taylor son. He loved sports, cars, and getting into trouble. He was confident but not always smart.

Now (2025):

Zachery has a filmography that includes several television dramas such as Smallville and Veronica Mars and films like The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift. In recent years, he has also entered the news in multiple legal issues. He has been arrested for DUI and for other cases in law.

Now he is keeping away from all the glare and focusing on self-improvement.

4. Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Randy Taylor

Then:

Of his three siblings, Randy was the middle child—an intelligent, sarcastic, and very curious kid, but also a real heartthrob among some of the adults.

Now (2025):

Teen Idol of the nineties, Jonathan voiced the part of young Simba in The Lion King. Afterward, however, he pretty much chose to walk away from the fame, in order to be able to focus on college. He attended Harvard, then Columbia, and at some point somewhere abroad. Left to his own devices, he makes an occasional guest appearance in shows such as Last Man Standing but keeps mostly out of the limelight.

5. Taran Noah Smith as Mark Taylor

Then:

Mark was the youngest Taylor. He was quiet and endearing and a bit of a late rebel in the later seasons.

Now (2025):

Taran quit acting after the show. He started a vegan food business, worked in education, and now lives a private life away from Hollywood.

6. Richard Karn as Al Borland

Then:

He added an unlikely hint of star power to a current television show. He was the iconic quiet man – the kindly, yet affirming Al Borland. One of the prime points about the show was the initiation of the catchphrase “I don’t think so, Tim!”

Now (2025):

Richard became a TV host after Home Improvement. He was the one who hosted Family Feud and did a show with Tim Allen called Assembly Required. In 2024, he reunited with Tim again at public shows and fan conventions. Still, in the midst of all the glitz, he continues to enjoy being loved by his fan base.

7. Debbe Dunning as Heidi Keppert

Then:

Debbe played Heidi, the “Tool Time girl” after Pamela Anderson left. She introduced tools and added fun energy to the show.

Now (2025):

Debbe has established a rotate with regard to fan times around the scheduling of her modeling campaigns and her charity collaborations in 2022. The trio of Tim, Richard, and her reunited with Deana at an event in public, sending fans into an excited frenzy of the three being together again.

8. Earl Hindman as Wilson Wilson Jr.

Then:

Wilson was the one who always gave his advice and who was considered very wise—but never showed his complete face.

Now:

Earl HIndman succumbed to cancer in 2003. He is cherished fondly by viewers and the cast.

9. Pamela Anderson as Lisa (Season 1–2)

Then:

Pamela played the original “Tool Time girl,” Lisa, before becoming famous on Baywatch.

Now (2025):

Pamela has kept active with her modeling, acting, and activism. In her 2023 memoir, she alleged that Tim Allen flashed her on set, though Tim denied this event. This, of course, stirred up some controversy.

Recurring Characters and Their Status

  • William O’Leary (Marty Taylor) – Tim’s brother, still acting.
  • Blake Clark (Harry) – Still working in TV and film.
  • Jimmy Labriola (Benny) – Appears at fan events.
  • Sherry Hursey (Ilene) – Continued acting after the show.
  • Megan Cavanagh (Trudy) – Active in theater and small roles.

Reboot or Not? Truth About “Home Re‑Improvement”

Is a reboot happening?

There have been rumors. Tim Allen said in interviews that he wants to do a reboot, maybe with Brad, Randy, and Mark as adults. Some fans call it “Home Re‑Improvement.”

Why might it not happen?

  • Patricia Richardson said she won’t return.
  • Jonathan and Taran left acting.
  • Zachery faces legal issues.
  • Earl Hindman passed away.
  • Pamela Anderson is unlikely to come back.

Tim Allen may still try a spin-off, but a full reunion show is very unlikely as of 2025.

Cast Reunion in 2024

Charity event for golf, Tim Allen, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning were all there to solidify their team reunion in April 2024. Photos went viral. Everyone wondered whether they would be able to witness more such meet-ups in public.

Home Improvement’s Legacy

Home Improvement remains one of America’s most loved sitcoms. It taught us:

  • Family is messy but fun.
  • Tools can be dangerous in the wrong hands!
  • Wisdom sometimes comes from behind a fence.

The show is still in reruns and is available to be streamed online. The show was inspired by a real-life DIY show and sparked the careers of the star-studded bunch.

Quick Cast Table (Then & Now)

Actor Role Status in 2025
Tim Allen Tim Taylor Active in TV, wants reboot
Patricia Richardson Jill Taylor Not interested in return
Zachery Ty Bryan Brad Taylor Legal issues, inactive
Jonathan T. Thomas Randy Taylor Lives quietly, no acting
Taran Noah Smith Mark Taylor Vegan business, no acting
Richard Karn Al Borland Still acting & hosting
Debbe Dunning Heidi Fan events, occasional roles
Earl Hindman Wilson Passed away in 2003
Pamela Anderson Lisa Model, activist, memoir in 2023

 

Final Thoughts

The memories with the cast of Home Improvement were magical. While a reboot seems unlikely, such are still events that bring many cast members together. Whether Tim hosts new shows, Richard appears at fan events, or Debbe meets with fans, the spirit of Home Improvement continues to thrive.

In 2025, fans will continue remembering the show for humor, family values, and timeless lessons. And who can tell? Possibly one day, we will have some kind of mini-reunion, if not a full series.


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