Richard Karn as tool show host Al Borland was a bit of a heartthrob back in the day, but for 20 years he disappeared from our screens
For a whole generation during the 90s, Tim Allen’s sitcom Home Improvements was the show to watch. The family favourite show ran for eight years from 1991 and included cameos from some big stars including Pamela Anderson and Jonathon Taylor Thomas.
Following the life of Tool Time host Tim Taylor and his family life away from the set, the Toy Story actor was at the heart of most of the show’s gags, but the co-host of the show-within-a-show’s Al Borland became Tim’s sidekick and a fan favourite character.
Played by Richard Karn, he was a familiar face who seemed to have stepped away from the limelight almost as fast as he arrived.
When the show ended in 1999 Karn would pick up some big TV gigs becoming the fourth host of the classic Game Show Family Feud from 2002 until 2006 but 20 years on the actor and presenter has been absent from our screens.
Unlike many stars who go on a somewhat wild run after their big break, Karns instead has done fame his own way, staying mostly out of the limelight and spending time on himself.
The now 69-year-old looks almost unrecognizable after trimming down his iconic bushy beard to a grey goatee as well as shedding some pounds after he and his wife went on a weight-loss journey.
Speaking to Fox News Digital he revealed he’d lost more than 30lbs after a lifestyle change.
The actor added: “We did this weight loss thing where we [ate] four ounces of meat, four ounces of vegetables, no carbs or not as much carbs. We did that for six weeks, and it really helped.
“It kind of realigns what you need, you don’t pile your plate as high anymore, because you don’t need it. After six weeks, I think your body and your mind realize that helped. If you can, don’t have five desserts, have a bite of one.”
In the last two decades, Karns has still made some TV appearances for eagle-eyed fans. In 2012 he reunited with Tim Allen for his sitcom Last Man Standing with a few cameos that were full of references to the old show.
In 2019 Richard also joined the cast of the school comedy series PEN15 for two years playing Fred Peters, the father of one of the show’s main characters.
