Jonathan Taylor Thomas was at the pinnacle of his career when he decided to step back from Hollywood, leaving many young girls longing for the teen idol, affectionately known as JTT.
The star of Home Improvement, who celebrated his 43rd birthday on September 8, was last seen in 2023, and fans who had crushes on him during their youth were taken aback by his current look.
Continue reading to discover what has become of the actor who famously lent his voice to Simba in Disney’s 1994 classic, The Lion King!
After portraying Greg Brady’s son in the short-lived 1990 series The Bradys, a spin-off of The Brady Bunch, Jonathan Taylor Thomas landed a role in Home Improvement alongside comedian Tim Allen.
At just 10 years old when the show debuted in 1991, Thomas, who played the middle child, grew up in front of a global audience over the next eight years, achieving immense fame as a teen heartthrob for countless young fans.
“You become a part of their lives, and there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that,” he shared with the New York Times regarding his overwhelming popularity. “However, it can be challenging because you want to please everyone, but trying to do so can lead to disappointment.”
In 1994, Thomas, who was born in Pennsylvania and just 12 years old at the time, lent his voice to Simba in the immensely popular Disney animated film The Lion King, a movie that brought joy, tears, and songs to its audience.
“Simba is a lot like me,” Thomas explains, noting that he used his natural voice to portray the young lion in the blockbuster. “I just infused it with my own energy. I’m really curious, love to have fun, and often find myself in trouble.”
Balancing his role in The Lion King with his character Randy Taylor on Home Improvement, Thomas recalls the two years spent traveling back and forth between the two sets.
“I had to remind myself, ‘Oops! It’s time to be Randy’… ‘Oops! Now I’m Simba,’” Thomas shared with People in 1994. “You really have to get ready to transform into a completely different character. I mean, we’re not lions, after all!”
‘Full blown migraines’
In 1998, after departing from Home Improvement just before its final season, Thomas began to withdraw from the public eye.
“I can’t count the number of shows I’ve worked on while suffering from severe migraine headaches,” he shares, reflecting on his fatigue. “I had been working non-stop since I was eight… I wanted to pursue my education, travel, and take a little time for myself.”
In the following years, he made guest appearances on various shows, such as Ally McBeal, Smallville, and 8 Simple Rules, and lent his voice to animated characters in The Wild Thornberrys and The Simpsons.
‘Blatant lie’
Before taking a step back, he pushed his boundaries with more daring roles, portraying a bisexual hustler in the indie film Speedway Junky (1999) and a targeted gay teenager in Showtime’s Common Ground (2000).
His various roles, along with his desire for privacy, led to speculation about his sexuality, which he addressed lightly during a conversation with Jay Leno.
“Basically, in Hollywood, you’re not really recognized until there are rumors about you being gay, so I wasn’t too bothered by it,” Thomas, who was 17 at the time, shared with the host. “Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but they are just rumors, and it’s wise to be cautious about what you find online.”
When Leno directly inquired about his sexuality, Thomas responded, “No, no, no, no, I’m not. I’m not.”
In a later interview with The Advocate, he reiterated his denial of the rumors, which he traced back to a site called CyberSleaze.
Is John Baker caught up on Kristin? Jonathan Taylor Thomas guest stars on Friday’s new episode of #LastManStanding! pic.twitter.com/6fjmNqcbRj
— Last Man Standing (@LastManStanding) January 29, 2014
Thomas expressed, “It was simply a blatant falsehood spread online, and it quickly turned into a frenzy. I’m sure my recent roles contributed to its acceptance.” He added, “What surprised me was how readily people embraced it.”
‘No regrets’
He then broke hearts by stepping away from Hollywood to chase his dream of “going to school.”
After completing his education at Chaminade College Preparatory School in New York in 2000, he attended Harvard University, where he focused on philosophy and history. He later graduated from Columbia University’s School of General Studies in 2010.
“Being in a large library surrounded by books and fellow students was an incredible experience for me,” he recalls.
Happy 35th birthday Jonathan Taylor Thomas! ❤️ See his evolution through 24 photos: https://t.co/gNWKWKBsw3 pic.twitter.com/glLSHW0sKg
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) September 8, 2016
Acknowledging that he “never took fame too seriously,” he shares his appreciation, stating, “It was a wonderful time in my life… But it doesn’t define who I am.”
He added, “When I reflect on that period, I do so with a smile. I cherish the enjoyable moments rather than the fact that I appeared on numerous magazine covers.”
Making the most of his leisure time, Thomas expresses that he has “no regrets” about stepping away from Hollywood.
However, he didn’t completely fade from the scene. From 2013 to 2015, the former teen idol teamed up with Allen, his TV father from Home Improvement, for four episodes of Last Man Standing. He also directed three episodes of the show.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas – 32
Randy – Home Improvement
Now in LA; directing & writing. Also a very keen hiker.
— Where Are They Now? (@WATNCelebrity) May 25, 2014
Uncommon appearance.
In 2023, two years after his last public outing with his dogs, the celebrity was spotted again, sparking excitement among his fans with the new photos.
Dressing casually, he wore a beige sweater, jeans, and a black beanie.
Fans eagerly took to the comments to share their reactions to this unusual sighting.
“JTT, my crush from elementary school,” one fan exclaimed, while another chimed in, “Like many of my generation, he was my childhood heartthrob. I’m happy he steered clear of the Hollywood craziness.”
One commenter remarked, “He was a child star and a teenage sensation; it’s unclear what became of him. Hollywood doesn’t often treat its young stars kindly.”
Another person, reminiscing about Thomas’ iconic hairstyle from Home Improvement, noted, “Naturally, he looks different now! You don’t see many 42-year-old men sporting bowl cuts. He brought a lot of happiness to many during his early years.”
What are your favorite memories of this star? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please share this story and let’s see what others think!
