Jonathan Taylor Thomas was a household name back in the ’90s, landing countless magazine covers and becoming the voice of young Simba in Disney’s 1994 film The Lion King. But after he left Home Improvement in 1998, he seemed to disappear from Hollywood.
He returned to TV in 2013 as a guest star on Last Man Standing, where he’s appeared four times and directed three episodes. Now, he’s been spotted in public for the first time in years!
What’s his story?
After starring on a slew of shows and films as a kid star, Jonathan Taylor Thomas landed a gig on Home Improvement. The series, which aired from 1991 to 1999, made him a massive teen heartthrob. He landed countless magazine covers and became one of the most popular child stars in history.
He also voiced Young Simba in the 1994 film version of Disney’s The Lion King and starred in live-action movies like Speedway Junky, Wild America and Tom and Huck. He was even in a few commercials including Kellogg’s cereal and Mattel toys.
After Home Improvement ended, the star went back to school and pursued academics. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University. He made a few guest appearances on TV in the 2000s, including on Veronica Mars and 8 Simple Rules. He also appeared in a 2014 episode of Last Man Standing, reuniting with his former TV dad Tim Allen.
Who is he working with?
Known for his role as middle child Randy Taylor on the hit series Home Improvement, Jonathan Thomas was an immediate heartthrob. He landed countless magazine covers and became a mainstay on primetime television. He also starred in other shows, like The Bradys and In Living Color and voiced young Simba in Disney’s 1994 movie The Lion King.
After Home Improvement ended in 1999 (he left the show in 1998), he almost disappeared from Hollywood. But now, he is back in the spotlight. In 2015, he guest starred on Last Man Standing, which stars his former Home Improvement castmate Tim Allen.
And recently, he was spotted out and about in California. He was wearing jeans, a zip up hoodie and a New York Mets cap. He was walking two furry friends. It was the first time that fans had seen him since he stepped out of the limelight.
What’s he doing now?
The teen heartthrob made his name as Randy Taylor on Home Improvement, voiced Simba in the original The Lion King film and became the darling of the ’90s. His face graced the covers of teen magazines like Bop, 16, and Tiger Beat. He was the prize in kid-oriented contests and a pinnacle of child stardom.
After leaving Home Improvement, Thomas took on some TV and movie roles. He guest starred on shows like 8 Simple Rules, Ally McBeal, and Smallville and also lent his voice to the film versions of Pinocchio and The Lion King. He also studied at Harvard and Columbia University.
But he has mostly been out of the spotlight since 1998. Followers hadn’t seen JTT in public for eight years until he was recently photographed walking his dogs in Los Angeles. He was dressed in a hoodie, jeans, and sneakers. It’s unclear what he’s up to now, but he seems happy living a private life.
Where is he now?
After starring in a few episodes of the sketch comedy series In Living Color, Thomas got his big break when he was cast as middle son Randy Taylor on Home Improvement. It was a huge hit, and the actor became one of the biggest heartthrobs of the early ’90s. His face was on just about every teen magazine, including Teen Beat, Tiger Beat, 16, Bop and People.
When the show ended in 1999, he took a step back from acting, but did guest appear on a few shows such as Ally McBeal and 8 Simple Rules. He also did some voice work and dabbled in directing.
The last time we saw the former teen idol was in 2015 when he appeared on an episode of Last Man Standing with his old co-star Tim Allen. The 42-year-old has stayed out of the spotlight since then, but was recently spotted walking his dogs in Southern California. He was wearing a beige Lacoste sweater over a green shirt with jeans and glasses.