Jonathan Taylor Thomas een for the first time in almost EIGHT YEARS (2024)

Jonathan Taylor Thomas was seen for the first time in almost eight years after stepping away from the spotlight despite a very successful career as a child actor.

The now 39-year-old Home Improvement star - also known as JTT - was recently seen walking his dogs in Los Angeles in a very rare outing.

He has not been pictured in public since 2013 and last appeared onscreen for a guest appearance on Tim Allen's Last Man Standing in 2015.

Stepping out:Jonathan Taylor Thomas was seen for the first time in almost eight years after stepping away from the spotlight despite a very successful career as a child actor

Iconic:Jonathan reached fame at just nine-years-old playing Randy Taylor on Home Improvement which debuted in 1991 (he is seen on the show in 1995)

Jonathan reached fame at just nine-years-old as he starred alongside the aforementioned Allen as he played his son, Randy Taylor, on highly-popular family sitcom Home Improvement which debuted in 1991.

His brothers on the show, which took place in suburban Detroit, Brad and Mark were played by Zachery Ty Bryan and Taran Noah Smith as mother Jill was portrayed by Patricia Richardson.

Pamela Anderson also starred on the show as Lisa, who starred in fictional television show Tool Time with Tim Taylor and Al Borland (played by Richard Karn), over two seasons from 1991 to 1993 before returning for season 6 in 1997.

He remained on his show throughout this teenage years before ultimately opting to leave the show in 1998, during its final season, to focus on his education.

As the show was a smashing success and one of the most popular sitcoms of the 90s, Thomas became one of the biggest teen heartthrobs of the era often appearing in magazines like Tiger Beat, Bop, and 16.

He also famously voiced the young Simba in iconic 1994 animated film The Lion King.

On-the-go: The now 39-year-old Home Improvement star was recently seen walking his dogs in Los Angeles in a very rare outing

Shy guy: He was last pictured in public in Los Angeles back in August 2013

Jonathan also had several other roles on the big screen including 1995's Man Of The House with Chevy Chase, 1997's Wild America, 1996's The Adventures Of Pinocchio, and even starred as Tom Sawyer in 1995's Tom And Huck.

No doubt he is living comfortably despite stepping away from his career in Hollywood as his net worth is an estimated $16million according to Celebrity Net Worthwith much to do with residual payments from projects like Home Improvement and The Lion King.

He reportedly made an estimated $8,000 per episode of Home Improvement and also earned$600,000 for Tom And Huck.

Jonathan looked relaxed on his recent outing as he lowered his protective face mask to puff on a vape while walking his precious pooches.

Squad:His brothers on the show, which took place in suburban Detroit, Brad and Mark were played by Zachery Ty Bryan (left) and Taran Noah Smith (right), as they are pictured in 1993

Family first: Jonathan, Zachery, Tim, Patricia Richardson (who played mom Jill), and Taran are seen left to right in June 1995

He sported a black American Apparel hoodie over relaxed fit blue jeans, grey New Balance runners, and a blue New York Mets baseball cap.

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Back in March 2013, Jonathan revealed why he walked away from fame and admitted that he doesn't regret his decision as he told People magazine at the time: 'I'd been going nonstop since I was eight years old. I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break.'

During his 10-year period out of the limelight, he enjoyed life as a student, taking part in courses at America’s Harvard and Columbia Colleges as well as St. Andrew's University in Scotland.

Chosen one:He also famously voiced the young Simba (right) in iconic 1994 animated film The Lion King

Jonathan confessed that simple things, such as being surrounded by people his own age every day as opposed to getting involved in the Los Angeles clubbing circuit, were thrilling experiences in themselves.

He continued: 'To sit in a big library amongst books and students, that was pretty cool. It was a novel experience for me.'

Thomas has maintained a private life since stepping out of the spotlight as it remains unknown if he is married or has children.

Last TV appearance: The star enjoyed a TV reunion with Tim Allen during a guest appearance on the comedian's show Last Man Standing in 2015

Jonathan Taylor Thomas een for the first time in almost EIGHT YEARS (2024)

FAQs

Why did Jonathan Taylor Thomas change his name? ›

His stage name is derived from his real first name (Jonathan), his real middle name (Taylor), and his brother's middle name (Thomas). Attended Harvard University for two years (2000-2002), then studied abroad for his third year at St.

Did JTT ever get married? ›

He was born in 1981. Is JTT married? No, the American entertainer has never been married.

Does Jonathan Taylor Thomas have a twin brother? ›

Jonathan Taylor Thomas was born Jonathan Taylor Weiss on September 8, 1981 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to Claudine (Gonsalves) and Stephen Weiss. He has an older brother, Joel, and has Pennsylvania Dutch (German) and Portuguese ancestry.

Why did Home Improvement get canceled? ›

Patricia Richardson says 'Home Improvement' was put to end after she demanded same pay as Tim Allen. 'I told everybody, there's not enough money in the world to get me to do a ninth year. This show is over.

Why is Jonathan Taylor Thomas not in season 8? ›

He left early in the eighth and final season, with his character moving to Costa Rica in the second episode. In real life, Thomas wanted to focus on his education. "I'd been going nonstop since I was 8 years old," he explained to People in 2013.

How long was Jonathan Taylor Thomas on Home Improvement? ›

Main
CharactersActor/ActressEpisodes
Marcus Jason "Mark" TaylorTaran Noah Smith(201 episodes, 1991–1999)
Randall William "Randy" TaylorJonathan Taylor Thomas(177 episodes, 1991–1998)
Bradley Michael "Brad" TaylorZachery Ty Bryan(202 episodes, 1991–1999)
Albert "Al" BorlandRichard Karn(201 episodes, 1991–1999)
4 more rows

What did Jonathan change his name to? ›

After years of being friends with the Kardashian family, Jonathan now goes by a new name- he legally changed his name to the Foodgod, eating out 365 days a year and sharing his lavish food adventures with over 12 million followers.

What is Jonathan Taylor Thomas doing nowadays? ›

He's still in showbiz as an adult, starring in the 2023 Lifetime movie Secrets at the Museum. The L.A. native is also a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and in May 2021 he volunteered to provide additional security outside a mid-city synagogue amid a rise in anti-Semitic vandalism and harassment.

What ethnicity is Jonathan Taylor Thomas? ›

Thomas has Pennsylvania Dutch and Portuguese ancestry.

Did Jonathan Taylor Thomas sing in Lion King? ›

While Weaver would do Simba's singing parts, Jonathan Taylor Thomas would do the speaking voice for the character.

Does Jonathan have a twin? ›

Early life. Drew Scott was born on April 28, 1978, in Vancouver, British Columbia, the youngest of brothers James Daniel (by two years) and his identical twin brother Jonathan (by four minutes). His birth was a surprise to his parents—Jim and Joanne Scott—who had thought she was giving birth to a single child.

What is Jonathan Taylor's middle name? ›

His stage name is derived from his real first name (Jonathan), his real middle name (Taylor), and his brother's middle name (Thomas).

What actor has a twin brother? ›

Celebrity twin pairings like Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen or Dylan and Cole Sprouse are well-known. But you probably didn't know that stars like Ashton Kutcher or Vin Diesel have twins, too. "Bohemian Rhapsody" star Rami Malek has a twin brother named Sami Malek.

Why was Randy missing from Home Improvement? ›

The heartthrob of his time, Jonathan Taylor Thomas played middle Taylor child Randy, leaving the series before its end to attend school. (To make it work on TV, his character moved to Costa Rica.) “I'd been going nonstop since I was 8 years old,” he told PEOPLE in 2013.

Why did Patrick leave Home Improvement? ›

Behind the scenes of "Home Improvement," there was a large pay gap between Patricia Richardson and Tim Allen, leading to Richardson's departure. Richardson's bravery in walking away from a $25 million payday due to unequal pay showcases her strength and character in the industry.

Did the cast of Home Improvement get along? ›

A complicated relationship

The more notable strife on the “Home Improvement” set, Richardson said, came from the difficulties of having three young actors' parents jockeying for equal screen time and opportunities for their sons. Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson in a scene from Allen's ABC series “Last Man Standing.”

Why did Jill Taylor leave Home Improvement? ›

Patricia Richardson Says ABC Chose to End 'Home Improvement' After Equal Pay Proposal. The actress, who played matriarch Jill Taylor on the sitcom, said she gave the network an ultimatum after Tim Allen was offered $1 million more than her to continue the series.

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