What happened to Home Improvement star Jonathan Taylor Thomas? Inside his reclusive life after ditching Hollywood

From voicing Disney’s favourite lion cub Simba to starring alongside Tim Allen in one of the 1990s’ biggest sitcoms, Jonathan Taylor Thomas was certainly a name to watch leading up to the millennium. But the rising star decided to step away from the spotlight after finding early success, opting instead for a more private life.

We’re looking back at one of the Nineties’ biggest names, why he decided to hop off a career train heading for Hollywood stardom and what he’s been up to since. While Jonathan might have stepped out of the viewfinder, he doesn’t seem entirely ready to leave the family he found at the Dream Factory behind just yet.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, a young boy with blonde curtained hair, pictured in 1994.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas started in the industry at just 8 years old

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Early successes

Jonathan Taylor Thomas, or JTT as he’s known to fans, started out on the Brady Bunch sequel, The Bradys at just 8 years old. He later starred in The Lion King as young Simba, bringing a natural energy that he told People magazine he sourced from his own “natural energy,” what he described as: “Real curious, fun-loving, always getting into mischief.”

He went on to have further live action roles in Man of the House, Wild America and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.

Stepping back from the spotlight

What could be more impressive than finding early success on one of America’s best-known sitcoms? Well, studying at Harvard University surely comes close. The Home Improvement star left during the final season to pursue his education, spending the third year of his degree abroad at the University of St Andrews in Scotland before he added another qualification to already-impressive credentials with a degree from Columbia University.

Speaking to People magazine in 2013, Jonathan said he’d enjoyed his time studying. “To sit in a big library amongst books and students, that was pretty cool.” The star, who got his start at only 8 years old on The Bradys explained: “It was a novel experience for me.”

Life after Hollywood

After an extensive course of study, Jonathan felt the pull of the Silver Screen once again. When he headed back to Los Angeles, as he told People magazine, he didn’t regret his choice. “I watch a lot of movies, I hike, I stay up on shows and theater,” he explained.

After leaving Home Improvement, Jonathan returned for a couple of roles in something of a family reunion. Guest starring in Last Man Standing, Jonathan once again worked with former co-star Tim Allen for four episodes, and directed three, between 2013 and 2015.

A continued closeness to Tim seems to have brought him back for a quick on-set visit as Kat Dennings reported he popped in to see his former co-star on the set of Shifting Gears. He’s also kept involved as a board member for Sag-Aftra.

The 1990s star was spotted for the first time in almost eight years in 2021, walking his dogs around Los Angeles. It wasn’t until 2023 that he was spotted in public again.

Inside his private life

Jonathan keeps quiet about his private life. The 44-year-old hasn’t made reference to a partner or children but he certainly has a couple of four-legged friends, as he was seen walking two white dogs when he was spotted out-and-about in LA.

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