• Richard Karn Wilson is an actor and TV show host born in Seattle on 17th February 1956
• His parents were a construction worker (father) and a painter (mother)
• He attended the University of Washington and was part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity
• He got his first role in a beer commercial and moved to New York and Los Angeles to pursue his acting career
• His net worth is estimated to be over $8 million from his career in the entertainment industry
Known for movies
Home Improvement (1991-1999)
as Al Borland
Picture Perfect (1995)
as George Thomas
The Pooch and the Pauper (2000)
as Agent Dainville
Reality School (2002)
as Victor Cayanne
Who is Richard Karn?
Richard Karn Wilson was born on the 17th February 1956, in Seattle, Washington State, USA. He is a game and TV show host and an actor, who is probably best recognized for his appearances predominantly in sitcoms and TV series, such as “Home Improvement”, “Ctrl”, “Watching Ellie” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”. In addition, he is well known for being a host of several successful TV and game shows such as “Amanda and the Fox” and “Family Feud”.
Early Life and Childhood
Richard is the second child of Louise and Gene Wilson. His father was a construction worker, but also a soldier who fought in World War II which had an impact on Richard as his father was always firm and thought him to be the same. His mother was a tender and artistic woman who was a painter, and who brought the necessary balance into the family – she died of cancer in 1983. Karn has an older sister named Sue Wilson. The only other thing known about his childhood is that he knew from a very early age that acting would be his greatest passion – he enjoyed making-up stories and playing them for his sister and parents.
Later on, all of his extra-curricular activities involved acting and public performances, so he was engaged in a great number of local theatrical organisations and programs.
Education
Following the matriculation from primary school, he started attending Roosevelt High School, located in his hometown. Richard explained in several interviews that by then he was pretty sure what he wanted his profession to be and what he enjoyed the most, so he put all his energy in acting. He continued being involved with local amateur theatres, taking parts in various plays whenever he had enough time.
After he matriculated from high school with good grades, he enrolled in the University of Washington. He was always proactive and participated in numerous events and organizations, including being a part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Moreover, he took part in the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, where he got a chance to gain significant acting experience.
Career Beginnings
He graduated in 1979 with a degree in drama which led him to his first job on screen – a commercial for a beer named Michelob. He then moved to New York to pursue a career in acting, believing that it would be much easier to find the job there.
However, after several commercials and parts in a couple of plays, he stopped getting offers and struggled to pay rent, even though he joined an organization called Screen Actors Guild which gave him hope that he would do better in the entertainment industry. He needed to change his last name, as there was already an actor with the same name as him, so he chose Karn instead of Wilson, and moved to Los Angeles, as everybody knew that there were a lot more opportunities for actors.
Richard Karn
Posted by SAG-AFTRA Foundation on Tuesday, July 2, 2019
He desperately needed any kind of job just to make ends meet in his first months there, so he became a manager of an apartment complex, as well as a caterer at a local synagogue. In addition, he enrolled into a traffic school where he met an agent who told him about a new TV series entitled “Home Improvement”, and encouraged him to audition.
Acting Career
The role of Al had already been given to another actor, so Richard got a minor role in the series’ pilot, however, the other actor cancelled, so the producers offer Karn one of the leading roles, which helped him gain a lot of the public’s attention.
As the series aired between 1991 and 1999, and became more popular each year, Richard didn’t have much time and energy to take part in many other projects, but he did make guest appearances in several TV series such as “Carol and Company”, “Burke’s Law” and “Soul Man”. He subsequently starred in the role of Agent Dainville in the 2000 TV movie “The Pooch and the Pauper”, and played Ollie Plant in the comedy “Most Vertical Primate” (2001). Between 2001 and 2008, he was cast as Theo in the popular TV series “The 70’s Show”, appeared in the comedy “Sex and the Teenage Mind” as well as in “Air Buddies”, “Reality School” and many more.
In 2009, he featured as Arthur Piller in the TV series “Ctrl” which was another big project in his career, adding a significant amount to his net worth. His next major role was playing Shane Bingham in the romantic comedy “Head Over Spurs in Love”, which was followed by his portrayals of Perry Merrow in the movie “Gordon Family Tree”, and Jim in the film “Stars Are Already Dead”.
On the set of “Check Inn to Christmas” with Anna White who wrote this beautiful movie for Hallmark ? pic.twitter.com/8usjtYSdhB
— Richard Karn (@TheRichardKarn) September 19, 2019
Career as a Host
Besides being an actor, Karn was always interested in becoming a host, as he felt that he had charisma, talent and ideas to share with the audience and other stars, so he landed a job as a host for the 4th season of the game show called “Family Feud”. After four years he needed to step down because of numerous acting projects he got involved with. However, he missed the job so much that after a couple of years he decided to clear his acting schedule and go back to being a host, this time of the game show “Bingo America”. In addition, he tried himself in radio hosting as well, being a substitute host for GSN Radio.
Personal Life and Net Worth
Richard has been married to singer and actress Tudi Roche since 1985 – they met and fell in love long before either of them became famous. They were colleagues on his first major project “Home Improvement”, and welcomed their only child, a son they named Cooper, in 1992 while still filming it. Speaking about his wealth, it is estimated by authoritative sources that Richard counts his net worth at over $8 million, as of mid-2019, largely from a career in the entertainment industry now spanning almost 40 years.
General Info
| Full Name | Richard Karn |
| Date Of Birth | February 17, 1956 |
| Profession | Game Show Host, Actor |
| Education | Roosevelt High School, University of Washington |
| Nationality | American |
Family
| Spouse | Tudi Roche |
| Children | Cooper Karn Wilson |
| Parents | Louise Wilson, Gene Wilson |
| Siblings | Sue Wilson |
Accomplishments
| Awards | TV Land Fan Favorite Award |
| Movies | Snow Buddies, Air Buddies, Sex and the Teenage Mind, Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch, MVP: Most Vertical Primate, Bram Stoker’s Legend of the Mummy, Picture Perfect, Mr. Blue Sky |
| TV Shows | Ctrl, Bingo America, Home Improvement, Family Feud |
Social profile links
Marks
| # | Marks / Signs |
|---|---|
| 1 | Beard |
| 2 | Goatie |
| 3 | Raspy Voice |
| 4 | Always wears Button-Down shirts or LumberJack outfits |
Quotes
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | (Commenting on the death of his mother, who succumbed to cancer in 1983): “I thought my parents were invincible. It never occurred to me she would die.” |
Facts
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Was not the original actor chosen to be Al on Home Improvement. Strphen Tobolowsky was originally cast and Richard filled in as a favor to the directors in the pilot when Stephen wasn’t available. Once Stephen decided to pursue a movie career Richard agreed to stay on as Al. |
| 2 | Richard and Casey Sander attended Nathan Eckstein Junior High School in Seattle together, though Richard was a year behind. |
| 3 | His son, Cooper, goes to Campbell Hall. This school was also once attended by Andy Garcia’s children, Denzel Washington’s daughter (Olivia), Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen and Andrew Lawrence. |
| 4 | Graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington and was often a part of the drama program there. |
| 5 | His father Gene is a retired building contractor. |
| 6 | His mother Louise was a painter; she died of bone marrow cancer in 1983. |
| 7 | His last name is omitted from his stage name because it was discovered that the Screen Actors Guild already had an actor by the name of Richard Wilson. |
| 8 | Is a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity from University of Washington |
| 9 | Worked as an apartment building manager prior to his success on Home Improvement (1991), and even maintained that job during the show’s first season until he knew that Home Improvement would be successful. |
| 10 | Graduated University of Washington with B.F.A. from the Professional Actors Training Program. |
| 11 | Has one son, Cooper Karn (b. 1992). |
| 12 | His wife, Tudi Roche, periodically appears on Home Improvement (1991) as Jill’s sister. |
Pictures
Movies
Actor
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Horse Dancer | 2017 | post-production | Jerry |
| F*&% the Prom | 2017 | post-production | Murphy |
| Stars Are Already Dead | 2016/I | completed | Jim |
| Amanda and the Fox | 2016 | Judge Weartherbee | |
| Christmas Land | 2015 | TV Movie | Mason Richards |
| A Dog for Christmas | 2015 | Santa | |
| A Perfect Christmas List | 2014 | TV Movie | Tim |
| No Such Luck | 2014 | Short | Sheriff Lawrence |
| A Daughter’s Nightmare | 2014 | TV Movie | Cameron |
| Gordon Family Tree | 2013 | Perry Merrow | |
| Last Man Standing | 2013 | TV Series | Bill McKendree |
| All Star Bowling Trick Shots | 2012 | Video short | Richard Karn |
| Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury | 2011 | Bill Witherspoon | |
| The Back-up Bride | 2011 | Shane Bingham | |
| In Gayle We Trust | 2011 | TV Series | Mayor Thomas |
| True Jackson, VP | 2010 | TV Series | Fire Marshal O’Dannon |
| Ctrl | 2009 | TV Series | Arthur Piller |
| Dirt | 2008 | TV Series | Holt’s Father |
| Snow Buddies | 2008 | Video | Patrick |
| Mr. Blue Sky | 2007 | John Adams | |
| Air Buddies | 2006 | Video | Patrick Framm |
| The Fast One | 2006 | Short | Gerald |
| Reality School | 2004 | TV Movie | Founder |
| Watching Ellie | 2003 | TV Series | Richard Karn |
| Sex and the Teenage Mind | 2002 | Stanley Heitmeyer | |
| Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch | 2002 | Video | Patrick |
| Reality School | 2002 | Short | Victor Cayanne |
| That ’70s Show | 2001 | TV Series | Theo |
| MVP: Most Vertical Primate | 2001 | Ollie Plant | |
| The Chronicle | 2001 | TV Series | David Tally |
| The Lot | 2001 | TV Series | Stan Lunquist |
| Recess | 2000 | TV Series | Edmond P. Edmonton |
| The Pooch and the Pauper | 2000 | TV Movie | Agent Dainville |
| Home Improvement | 1991-1999 | TV Series | Al Borland |
| Legend of the Mummy | 1998 | Brice Renard | |
| Soul Man | 1997 | TV Series | Al Borland |
| How to Host a BBQ with Richard Karn | 1996 | TV Short | Host |
| Boy Meets World | 1995 | TV Series | Victor |
| Picture Perfect | 1995 | TV Movie | George Thomas |
| Burke’s Law | 1995 | TV Series | David Bergen |
| ABC Afterschool Specials | 1994 | TV Series | Mr. Delo |
| ABC TGIF | 1990 | TV Series | Al |
Miscellaneous
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picture Perfect | 1995 | TV Movie creative consultant |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Story Behind: Home Improvement | 2015 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Home & Family | 2013 | TV Series | Himself – Guest |
| Celebrity Poker Live | 2012 | TV Series | Himself |
| The 8th Annual TV Land Awards | 2010 | TV Special | Himself – Glee Club |
| 2009 Game Show Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Himself – Presenter |
| Straight from the Horses Mouth | 2009 | Video | Himself |
| The 7th Annual TV Land Awards | 2009 | TV Special | Himself |
| Bingo America | 2008 | TV Series | Himself – Host / Himself |
| GSN Live | 2008 | TV Series | Himself |
| WWE Raw | 2007 | TV Series | Himself |
| Big Break All-Star Challenge | 2006 | TV Special | |
| E! True Hollywood Story | 2004-2005 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Family Feud | 2002-2005 | TV Series | Himself – Host / Host |
| World Poker Tour | 2004 | TV Series | Himself |
| Tim Allen Presents: A User’s Guide to ‘Home Improvement’ | 2003 | TV Movie | Himself / Al Borland |
| TVography: Home Improvement – A Half Hour of Power | 2002 | TV Special | Himself |
| MVP 2: Most Vertical Primate – Behind the Scenes | 2002 | Video documentary short | Himself – ‘Ollie’ |
| The Rosie O’Donnell Show | 1996-1999 | TV Series | Himself |
| Home Improvement: Backstage Pass | 1999 | TV Special documentary | Himself; Al Borland |
| Foot Soldiers | 1998 | TV Movie documentary | Narrator |
| Sin City Spectacular | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
| Road Rules | 1998 | TV Series | Himself |
| Christmas Miracles | 1997 | TV Movie | Himself |
| Chariots of the Gods? The Mysteries Continue | 1996 | TV Movie documentary | Host |
| Oops! The World’s Funniest Outtakes 4 | 1996 | TV Movie | Himself |
| The 21st Annual People’s Choice Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Himself – Accepting Award for Favorite Television Comedy Series |
| The Walt Disney Company and McDonald’s Present the American Teacher Awards | 1995 | TV Special | Himself |
| Wheel of Fortune | 1995 | TV Series | Himself – Celebrity Contestant |
| The 20th Annual People’s Choice Awards | 1994 | TV Special | Himself – Accepting Award for Favorite Television Comedy Series |
| The 19th Annual People’s Choice Awards | 1993 | TV Special | Himself – Accepting Award for Favourite Television Comedy Series |
| The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1993 | TV Special | Himself – Audience Member |
| Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade | 1992 | TV Special | Himself |
| The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards | 1992 | TV Special | Himself – Presenter |
| The 18th Annual People’s Choice Awards | 1992 | TV Special | Himself – Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Comedy Program |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia