Richard Karn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richard Karn
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Karn in 2015
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| Born |
Richard Karn Wilson
February 17, 1956 Seattle, Washington, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Washington |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1989–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Tudi Roche
(m. 1985) |
| Children | 1 |
Richard Karn (born Richard Karn Wilson on February 17, 1956) is an American actor, author, and a former game show host. He is well-known for playing Al Borland in the popular ABC TV series Home Improvement. He also played Fred Peters in the Hulu series Pen15. From 2002 to 2006, Karn was the fourth host of the TV game show Family Feud.
Contents
Early Life and Acting Start
Growing Up in Seattle
Richard Karn Wilson was born in Seattle, Washington, on February 17, 1956. His father, Gene, was a Seabee, which is a member of the U.S. Navy's construction battalions, who served during World War II. Richard went to Roosevelt High School. He then studied acting at the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program. He also gained acting experience in Scotland at the famous Edinburgh Festival.
First Big Break
After finishing his drama degree in 1979, Karn moved to New York City. Within a week, he landed a commercial for Michelob beer. This commercial was even shown during Super Bowl XIV, a very big event! When Karn joined the Screen Actors Guild, which is a union for actors, he found out there was already an actor named Richard Wilson. So, he decided to drop his last name and became known as Richard Karn.
Richard Karn's Career Highlights
Becoming Al Borland
In 1989, Richard's wife, Tudi, convinced him to move to Los Angeles, California. To find a place to live, Karn managed an apartment building and also helped cater events at a Jewish synagogue. One day, after getting a traffic ticket, Karn went to traffic school. There, he sat next to an agent who told him about auditions for a new TV show called Home Improvement.
The role of Al Borland was first given to another actor, Stephen Tobolowsky. However, when it was time to start filming, Tobolowsky was busy with another movie. So, the role needed to be recast. Karn was a guest star in the very first episode, called the pilot episode. But because the show was so popular and picked up by the network, he became a regular cast member. He played Al Borland for the entire series, from 1991 to 1999.
Hosting Game Shows
In 2002, Richard Karn took over as the host of the popular game show Family Feud. He was the fourth person to host the show. He hosted Family Feud until 2006, when he was replaced by John O'Hurley.
Karn also appeared in The Strokes' music video for their song "Someday" in 2002. The video showed the band on a pretend episode of Family Feud. Later, on October 6, 2008, Karn became the host of Game Show Network's Bingo America, replacing Patrick Duffy. He also filled in as a host on GSN Radio.
Richard Karn's Personal Life
Richard Karn has been married to actress Tudi Roche since 1985. They have one son named Cooper, who was born on March 4, 1992.
From 1994 to 1999, Karn hosted a yearly golf tournament in Seattle that featured celebrities. In July 2002, a similar event called the Karn Invitational celebrity golf event was held at Echo Falls Golf Club in Snohomish, Washington.
Books Written by Richard Karn
Richard Karn is also an author. He has written two books about home improvement:
- House Broken: How I Remodeled My Home for Just Under Three Times the Original Bid (1999) – This book was written with George Mair.
- Handy at Home: Tips on Improving Your Home from America's Favorite Handyman (2002) – This book was also written with George Mair.
Film and Television Appearances
Movies
Richard Karn has appeared in several movies, often playing friendly or supportive characters.
- 1998: Bram Stoker's Legend of the Mummy as Brice Renard
- 2001: MVP: Most Vertical Primate as Ollie Plant
- 2002: Reality School as Victor Cayanne
- 2002: Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch as Patrick
- 2006: Air Buddies as Patrick
- 2006: Mr. Blue Sky as John
- 2008: Snow Buddies as Patrick
- 2011: The Back-up Bride as Shane Bingham
- 2011: Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury as Bill Witherspoon
- 2013: Gordon Family Tree as Perry Merrow
- 2015: A Dog for Christmas as Santa
- 2016: Stars Are Already Dead as Jim
- 2017: The Horse Dancer as Jerry
- 2018: Amanda and the Fox as Judge Weartherbee
- 2019: Check Inn to Christmas as Tim (a Hallmark movie)
- 2020: Horse Camp: A Love Tail as Jerry
- 2021: The Christmas Dance as Sherman
- 2022: Carrie and Jess Save the Universe! as Computer face
Television Shows
Karn has been a guest star or regular on many TV shows.
- 1989: One Life to Live as Edgar (1 episode)
- 1991: Carol & Company as J.T. (Episode: "No News Is Bad News")
- 1991–1999: Home Improvement as Al Borland (202 episodes)
- 1994: ABC After School Specials as Mr. Delo (Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys")
- 1995: Burke's Law as David Bergen (Episode: "Who Killed Mr. Game Show?")
- 1995: Picture Perfect as George Thomas (a Television film)
- 1995: Boy Meets World as Victor (Episode: "This Little Piggy")
- 1996: WOW! The Most Amazing Acts on Earth as Host
- 1996: Chariots of the Gods? The Mysteries Continue as Host
- 1996: How to Host a BBQ with Richard Karn (a Television short)
- 1996–1999: The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Himself/Guest (2 episodes)
- 1997: Soul Man as Al Borland (Episode: "Cinderella and the Funeral")
- 1998: Foot Soldier as Host / Narrator (TV movie)
- 2000: The Pooch and the Pauper as Agent Dainville (Television film)
- 2000: Recess as Edmund P. Edmonton (voice) (Episode: "Beyond a Reasonable Scout")
- 2001: That '70s Show as Theo (Episode: "Bye Bye Basement")
- 2001: The Lot as Stan Lunquist (Episode: "The Mob Scene")
- 2001: The Chronicle as David Tally (Episode: "Baby Got Back")
- 2002–2006: Family Feud as Host (Main role)
- 2003: Watching Ellie as Himself (Episode: "Feud")
- 2004: Reality School as Founder (Television film)
- 2008: Dirt as Holt McLauren's Father (Episode: "Ties That (Don't) Bind")
- 2008: Biz Kid$ as Himself (2 episodes)
- 2008–2009: Bingo America as Co-host (26 episodes)
- 2009: Ctrl as Arthur Piller (10 episodes)
- 2010: True Jackson, VP as Fire Marshal O'Dannon (Episode: "My Boss Ate My Homework")
- 2011: In Gayle We Trust as Mayor Thomas (Episode: "Gayle and the Table Read")
- 2013: Last Man Standing as Bill McKendree (2 episodes)
- 2014: A Daughter's Nightmare as Cameron "Cam" Morgan (Television film)
- 2014: No Such Luck as Sheriff Lawrence (Television short)
- 2014: A Perfect Christmas List as Tim (Television film)
- 2015: Christmas Land as Mason Richards (Television film)
- 2017: Detroiters as Himself (Episode: "Quick Rick Mahorn in Dearborn")
- 2017: The Bold and the Beautiful as Judge Jon Oplinger (2 episodes)
- 2017: Christmas in Mississippi as Mr. McGuire (Television film)
- 2018: Find Your Future Reality as Himself (1 episode)
- 2019: Check Inn to Christmas as Tim Crawley (Television film)
- 2019–2021: PEN15 as Fred Peters (11 episodes)
- 2021: Assembly Required as Co-host (a competition show with Tim Allen and April Wilkerson)
- 2022: More Power as Co-host (a tool documentary show with Tim Allen and April Wilkerson)
Music Videos
Richard Karn has also appeared in music videos.
- 2002: "Someday" by The Strokes (He played himself in a Family Feud parody scene.)
- 2018: "Careless Whisper" by Train (feat. Kenny G) (He played a saxophone player in this Wham! cover.)
