Tim Gunn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tim Gunn
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Gunn attending the 81st Academy Awards, 2009
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Timothy MacKenzie Gunn
July 29, 1953 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Years active | 1982–present |
Timothy MacKenzie Gunn, born on July 29, 1953, is an American author, teacher, and TV star. He is best known for being the helpful mentor to designers on the reality TV show Project Runway. He worked at the Parsons School of Design in New York from 1982 to 2007. He even led the fashion design department there for several years.
After leaving Parsons, he became the chief creative officer for a fashion company. Tim Gunn's popularity on Project Runway led to other TV shows like Tim Gunn's Guide to Style and Under the Gunn. He has also written five books. Besides his fashion work, he is an executive producer and mentor for young designers on Project Runway: Junior. You might also recognize his voice as Baileywick, the castle steward, in the Disney Jr. show Sofia the First.
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Early Life and Education
Tim Gunn was born in Washington, D.C. His father worked for the FBI and wrote speeches for J. Edgar Hoover. Tim went to the Corcoran College of Art and Design at George Washington University in Washington D.C. There, he earned a degree in sculpture.
A Career in Fashion and Television
Tim Gunn started working at Parsons School of Design in 1982. He became the head of the Fashion Design Department in 2000. He is known for making the school's fashion programs better for the modern world.
Becoming a TV Star
Gunn first appeared on Project Runway in 2004. He quickly became famous for his encouraging catchphrase, "Make it work." In 2013, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for being an outstanding host on a reality show.
His own show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, started in 2007. On this show, he gave fashion advice to people. He also hosted Under the Gunn starting in 2014. Today, he is an executive producer and mentor for the younger designers on Project Runway: Junior.
Other TV Appearances and Books
Tim Gunn has played himself on TV shows like Ugly Betty and Drop Dead Diva. He also appeared as Barney's personal tailor on How I Met Your Mother. In 2007, he left Parsons to work as a chief creative officer for a fashion company.
He released his first book, A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, in 2007. The city of Palm Desert even declared April 27, 2007, as Timothy M. Gunn Day to honor him. Between 2010 and 2015, he published four more books. In 2009, he received an honorary doctorate degree from the Corcoran College of Art and Design.
On September 7, 2018, it was announced that Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum would leave Project Runway. They then started a new fashion competition show on Amazon Video called Making the Cut. The third season of Making the Cut came out in the summer of 2022.
Tim Gunn in Other Media
Tim Gunn has also been involved in other creative projects. In 2007, a special "reality chamber opera" about him premiered in New York. He even appeared in a Marvel Comics series called Models Inc., where he wore Iron Man armor! He was also in the opening skit of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.
He was featured in a documentary film called Do I Sound Gay? in 2014. Tim Gunn also appeared in Kate McKinnon's audio drama Heads Will Roll. He has shared stories about his career on podcasts, explaining how he started in education before becoming a TV personality.
Personal Life
Tim Gunn lives in Manhattan, New York. He has spoken about his personal choices, saying he is a happy and fulfilled person.
He is a strong supporter of animal rights. He does not like clothing designs that use animal fur. In 2008, he narrated a video for the group PETA about rabbit fur farming in China. He believes that treating animals for fur is "egregiously irresponsible."
Awards and Honors
In June 2020, Tim Gunn was named one of fifty heroes by Queerty. This honor was given for the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ Pride parade. It recognized his work in helping lead the nation toward equality and acceptance for all people.
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 2004–2017 | Project Runway | Himself (Mentor) | |
| 2007 | Drinks with LX | Himself | |
| 2007 | Ugly Betty | Fashion TV Reporter | 2 episodes |
| 2007–2008 | Tim Gunn's Guide to Style | Himself | |
| 2008 | American Dad! | Himself | Voice, episode: "Escape from Pearl Bailey" |
| 2008 | The Replacements | Himself | Voice, episode: "Heartbreak in the City" |
| 2009 | Drop Dead Diva | Himself | Episode: "Second Chances" |
| 2009 | Project Runway: All Star Challenge | Himself | Television special |
| 2009–2016 | The Biggest Loser | Himself | |
| 2010–2014 | How I Met Your Mother | Himself | 5 episodes |
| 2010 | Gossip Girl | Himself | Episode: "Easy J" |
| 2011 | Teen Spirit | Supervisor J-3 | Television film |
| 2012 | The Revolution | Himself (Co-Host) | |
| 2012 | The Cleveland Show | Himself | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2013–2018 | Sofia the First | Baileywick | Voice, 42 episodes |
| 2013 | Sesame Street | Bill Ding | Episode: "Best House of the Year" |
| 2013 | Family Guy | Himself | Voice, episode: "Save the Clam" |
| 2014 | Under the Gunn | Himself (Host) | |
| 2014 | Hollywood Game Night | Himself (Panelist) | Episode: "What's Cooking on Game Night" |
| 2015 | Inside Amy Schumer | Willenby | Episode: "Foam" |
| 2016 | The Real O'Neals | Himself | Episode: "The Real Other Woman" |
| 2017 | Bill Nye Saves the World | Himself | Episode: "Designer Babies" |
| 2017–2019 | Mickey and the Roadster Racers | Robbie Roberts | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2017 | BoJack Horseman | Himself | Voice, episode: "Hooray! Todd Episode!" |
| 2019 | Middle School Moguls | Wren | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2020–2022 | Making the Cut | Himself (Host) | Also executive producer |
| 2020 | Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? | Himself | Voice, episode: "A Fashion Nightmare!" |
| 2021 | Animaniacs | Pageant Host | Voice, episode: "Mouse Congeniality" |
| 2023 | Bob's Burgers | Sewing Machine | Voice, episode: "Gift Card or Buy Trying" |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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| 2010 | ... and the City 2 | Himself | |
| 2011 | The Smurfs | Henri |
Published Works
- A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style (2007)
- Tim Gunn's Fashion Bible: The Fascinating History of Everything from the Corset to the Crinoline to the Cone Bra (2010)
- Tim Gunn's Brand New Guide to Life: How to Choose Great Clothes, Build a Timeless Wardrobe, and Be Your Most Confident Self (2014)
- Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor: A Master Class on Mentoring, Managing, and Making It Work (2015)
- The Style Guide: Lessons from a Lifetime in Fashion (2015)
See also
In Spanish: Tim Gunn para niños
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBT people from New York City
- NYC Pride March
