He was a familiar face in the 1990s, winning hearts on one of TV’s most popular sitcoms. But as quickly as he found fame, he vanished, leaving fans curious about what happened to the child star who seemed destined for greatness.
Today, many people wouldn’t recognize him, as time and his life choices have changed him in ways no one saw coming.
“Home Improvement” was a huge hit in the 1990s, bringing laughter to millions of homes in America. At the heart of its success was a young actor whose charm and good looks made him a fan favorite. Yet despite his early success, he made the surprising decision to leave Hollywood behind.
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The years have been both kind and mysterious to this former child star. People have whispered about his struggles with fame, rumors about his personal life, and his choice to focus on education instead of acting. Many still wonder about this star and why he chose such a different path.
In the early 1990s, before he became famous, this young actor was just a regular kid from Sacramento. He began modeling at age seven, appearing in ads for brands like Kellogg’s and Mattel, and soon moved on to TV commercials.
His natural charm and looks made him a favorite with casting directors, leading to his first TV role in “The Bradys” in 1990. His big break came in 1991 when he joined the cast of “Home Improvement,” where he played the middle child. His role on the show made him one of the most recognizable faces on TV.
By the 1990s, he was everywhere. Besides “Home Improvement,” he voiced Young Simba in Disney’s “The Lion King.” His clean-cut image and popularity made him a teen idol, receiving thousands of fan letters every month. He appeared on magazine covers and was followed closely by fans.
However, as his fame grew, so did the pressure. Despite his success, he felt trapped in the acting world. He longed for a normal life, wanting to play basketball with friends instead of always being in the spotlight.
The stress of acting began to wear him down, both mentally and physically. His long days on set left little time for a normal childhood, and he started getting frequent headaches from the pressure.
By the mid-1990s, even though he was uncomfortable with fame, he stayed committed to his fans. But the constant attention became overwhelming, especially from young female fans. He was grateful but found the attention hard to handle.
In 1998, during an interview with Jay Leno, he faced rumors about his sexuality. He calmly denied being gay but was frustrated by the focus on his personal life.
In 1999, he shocked fans by leaving “Home Improvement” before its final season. His co-stars, especially Tim Allen, were surprised by his decision. He said he wanted to focus on his education, though some suspected there was more to the story.
After leaving the show, the actor took on roles that challenged rumors about him, including playing a gay character in a film. Despite the rumors, these roles showed his dedication to acting and moving beyond his teen idol image.
His focus shifted to education. He attended prestigious schools like Harvard and Columbia, where he enjoyed life as a student. By 2011, he had largely disappeared from the public eye, only reappearing for a “Home Improvement” cast reunion.
Though he made occasional TV guest appearances, his priorities had changed. In 2013, he returned to Los Angeles, focusing on writing and directing, living a simpler life.
Fans were surprised when, in 2021, photos surfaced of him walking his dogs in Los Angeles. He had fully embraced a life away from fame, looking very different from his teen heartthrob days.
When fans saw the new pictures, many hardly recognized him. “He looks so different!” one fan remarked. By 2023, new photos showed him looking even more mature, sparking nostalgia among his fans.
Fans defended his choice to live a private life, with one saying, “He looks like a regular guy. Not everyone goes for plastic surgery or dresses up for a walk.” Others praised his focus on education, with one adding, “He chose education over Hollywood. Respect.”
Many fans, who grew up watching him, still admire his decisions. They expressed support, with one saying, “I used to have a crush on him. I respect that he left show business.”
Though he left the spotlight years ago, Jonathan Taylor Thomas remains a beloved figure for the choices he made after his acting career. Fans continue to admire him not only for his roles but for the way he chose to live his life afterward.
Susan Lucci showed off a fresh new style when she was seen wearing skinny jeans, and fans had a lot to say about it.
Susan Lucci is usually seen at fancy events in stunning dresses, so fans are used to her dressed up.
But this week, the “All My Children” star shared a photo in a casual outfit, which got a lot of attention from her followers! Susan posted a picture from the Lindt Chocolate Factory in Zurich, Switzerland, wearing skinny jeans, a fitted jacket, and white sneakers.
She ended the runway show in style, walking to the song “I’m Every Woman” by Whitney Houston while wearing a stunning green off-the-shoulder gown.
Afterwards, she shared her excitement on social media, saying: “Good morning! I’m at Good Day NY wearing a fabulous Dennis Basso polka dot outfit! I love him and feel so honored to be the finale of his beautiful Spring/Summer 2025 Fashion Week show in New York yesterday!”
Susan was the perfect fit for the show, which celebrated beauty at every age. At 77, she looks amazing as always and recently shared her beauty secret with HELLO! magazine while attending the City of Hope Awards in New York, where she was honored for her charity work.
She revealed that her beauty routine is actually very simple—and the best part? It’s almost free!
Susan shared her routine: “I start my day with coffee and then drink hot water with lemon throughout the day! I mostly follow a Mediterranean diet—lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish! I also do Pilates almost every morning.”
She’s feeling better than ever now, after going through a tough time in recent years. In 2022, she began having shortness of breath and chest and jaw pain, but even with her health history, she hesitated to see a doctor at first.
In an interview with People, Susan said, “I couldn’t believe it. After telling women for years to not be afraid to call the doctor and take care of themselves, I ended up not following my own advice.”
Doctors found that she had an 80% blockage in one of her arteries due to cholesterol and had to put another stent in her heart to clear the blockage after she was rushed to the hospital.
In early March, she told People, “I’m doing really well. I always keep track of how I’m feeling,” and added that her recovery is “so far, so good.”
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