At the height of his fame, Jonathan Taylor Thomas—affectionately known as JTT—was a heartthrob for countless young fans. However, after stepping away from Hollywood, his last public sighting in 2023 left many stunned by his changed appearance. Now 43, the former Home Improvement star continues to intrigue those who once idolized him.
Jonathan’s acting career took off after he played Greg Brady’s son in The Bradys, a short-lived 1990 spinoff of The Brady Bunch. Shortly after, he landed the role of Randy Taylor in Home Improvement, starring alongside Tim Allen. At just ten years old when the show premiered in 1991, he grew up on-screen, becoming a teenage sensation.
Reflecting on his fame, he once told The New York Times, “You become a part of people’s lives, and that comes with responsibility. Trying to please everyone is impossible.”
A Pennsylvania native, Thomas reached an even wider audience when he voiced young Simba in Disney’s 1994 animated blockbuster The Lion King. Using his natural voice, he said, “Simba’s just like me. I brought my own energy to the role. I love fun, mischief, and asking questions.”
For two years, Thomas balanced Home Improvement with his voiceover work, switching between playing Randy and voicing Simba. Recalling the experience, he once joked, “I’d have to remind myself—‘Okay, now I’m Randy. Oops, no, time to be Simba!’”
Over the years, Thomas continued lending his voice to animated series like The Wild Thornberrys and The Simpsons while making guest appearances on Smallville, Ally McBeal, and 8 Simple Rules. He also took on more mature roles, portraying a persecuted gay teenager in Showtime’s Common Ground (2000) and a bisexual hustler in the independent film Speedway Junky (1999).
These roles, along with his private nature, fueled speculation about his sexuality. He later addressed the rumors in an interview with Jay Leno, stating, “In Hollywood, you’re not really famous until people speculate you’re gay.” He later dismissed the rumors again, attributing them to online gossip sites.
Despite his success, Thomas left Hollywood to pursue education, breaking hearts in the process. After graduating from Chaminade College Preparatory School in 2000, he attended Harvard University, studying history and philosophy, before later earning his degree from Columbia University’s School of General Studies in 2010.
He described his time in academia as a refreshing change, saying, “Being in a huge library, surrounded by books and students, was an entirely new experience for me.” Thomas never let fame define him, adding, “I look back with a smile, but I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my life rather than magazine covers.”
Although he largely stepped away from acting, he made a brief return for Last Man Standing, reuniting with Tim Allen for four episodes between 2013 and 2015, while also directing three episodes of the show.
Fans caught a rare glimpse of Thomas in 2023, two years after he was last seen walking his dogs. The images sparked widespread discussion, with many reflecting on his transformation. Dressed casually in a beige sweater, dark pants, and a black beanie, he looked a world away from his teenage idol days.
Reactions poured in, with one fan reminiscing, “JTT was my childhood crush.” Another commented, “He brought joy to so many people. I’m glad he escaped Hollywood’s chaos.”
One fan pointed out, “Of course he looks different—he’s in his forties now! Not many men keep their bowl-cut hair.” While Thomas may have stepped out of the spotlight, his legacy as a beloved child star remains intact.