Richard Karn

• Name — Richard Karn • Birth Name — Richard Karn Wilson • Born — 17 February 1956 • Birthplace — Seattle, Washington, U.S. • Education — University of Washington • Occupation — * Actor • author • game show host • Years Active — 1979–present • Children — 1

Richard Karn Wilson was born in Seattle, Washington, on February 17, 1956. His father, Gene, was a Seabee who served in World War II. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Karn also gained drama experience in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival. After earning his drama degree in 1979, Karn moved to New York City, where in less than a week he was hired to do a commercial for Michelob beer that was featured during Super Bowl XIV. When Karn joined the Screen Actors Guild, he was informed there was already a Richard Wilson, prompting him to drop his surname. In 1985, he made his acting debut in the off-broadway play, The Other Shore, where he also co-starred with future wife Tudi Roche.

• Illustration — Karn at the 1994 Emmy Awards In 1989, Karn's wife, Tudi, convinced him to move to Los Angeles. Karn found a place for them to live by managing an apartment complex, catering events at a Jewish synagogue on the side. After receiving a traffic citation, Karn attended a traffic school and sat beside an agent who told him about casting for the new television show Home Improvement. The role of Al Borland had already been given to Stephen Tobolowsky, but when taping was scheduled, Tobolowsky was busy with another movie and the role had to be recast. Karn was a guest star in the pilot episode but became a regular cast member when the show was picked up by ABC. In 2002, Karn replaced Louie Anderson as the fourth individual to host the game show Family Feud. He left Family Feud in 2006 and was replaced by John O'Hurley. In 2002, Karn made an appearance in The Strokes' music video for "Someday", which featured segments of the band on a fictional showing of Family Feud against the band Guided by Voices. On October 6, 2008, Karn replaced Patrick Duffy as host of Game Show Network's Bingo America. He also served as a substitute host on GSN Radio. Karn did commercials for Orchard Supply Hardware in the 1990s.

Karn has been married to actress Tudi Roche since 1985. They have a son named Cooper, who was born on March 4, 1992. In 1985, a few weeks after he and his wife married, Tudi had a sudden collapse while she and Karn were walking through the Manhattan Port Authority Bus Terminal. She was put in a three-day coma and it was discovered that she suffered from a brain aneurysm. Tudi eventually returned home and made a full recovery. From 1994 to 1999, Karn hosted an annual celebrity golf tournament in Seattle. In July 2002, the Karn Invitational celebrity golf event was held at Echo Falls Golf Club in Snohomish, Washington.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref(s) Reference(s) • 1989 — One Life to Live — Edgar — 1 episode • ABC TGIF — Al • 1991 — Carol & Company — J.T. — Episode: "No News Is Bad News" • 1991–1999 — Home Improvement — Al Borland — Main role • 1994 — ABC After School Specials — Mr. Delo — Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys" • 1995 — Burke's Law — David Bergen — Episode: "Who Killed Mr. Game Show?" • Picture Perfect — George Thomas — Television film • Boy Meets World — Victor — Episode: "This Little Piggy" • 1996 — WOW! The Most Amazing Acts on Earth — Host • Chariots of the Gods? The Mysteries Continue • How to Host a BBQ with Richard Karn — Short • 1996–1999 — The Rosie O'Donnell Show — Himself/Guest — 2 episodes • 1997 — Soul Man — Al Borland — Episode: "Cinderella and the Funeral" • 1998 — Foot Soldier — Host / Narrator — Television film • 2000 — ' — Agent Dainville • Recess — Edmund P. Edmonton (voice) — Episode: "Beyond a Reasonable Scout" • 2001 — That '70s Show — Theo — Episode: "Bye Bye Basement" • The Lot — Stan Lunquist — Episode: "The Mob Scene" • The Chronicle — David Tally — Episode: "Baby Got Back" • 2002–2006 — Family Feud — Host — Main role • 2003 — Watching Ellie — Himself — Episode: "Feud" • 2004 — Reality School — Founder — Television film • 2008 — Dirt — Holt McLauren's Father — Episode: "Ties That (Don't) Bind" • Biz Kid$ — Himself — 2 episodes • 2008–2009 — Bingo America — Co-host — Main role • 2009 — Ctrl — Arthur Piller — Recurring role • 2010 — True Jackson, VP — Fire Marshal O'Dannon — Episode: "My Boss Ate My Homework" • 2011 — In Gayle We Trust — Mayor Thomas — Episode: "Gayle and the Table Read" • 2013 — Last Man Standing — Bill McKendree — 2 episodes • 2014 — ' — Cameron "Cam" Morgan — Television film • No Such Luck — Sheriff Lawrence — Short • Perfect Christmas List — Tim — Television film • 2015 — Christmas Land — Mason Richards • 2017 — Detroiters — Himself — Episode: "Quick Rick Mahorn in Dearborn" • The Bold and the Beautiful — Judge Jon Oplinger — 2 episodes • Christmas in Mississippi — Mr. McGuire — Television film • 2018 — Find Your Future Reality — Himself — 1 episode • 2019 — Check Inn to Christmas — Tim Crawley — Television film • 2019–2021 — PEN15 — Fred Peters — Recurring role • 2021 — Assembly Required — Co-host — COVID-lockdown competition show spin-off of Home Improvement Tool Time; with Tim Allen and toolgirl April Wilkerson Also executive producer • 2022 — More Power — Tool documentary show spin-off of Home Improvement 's Tool Time; with Tim Allen and toolgirl April Wilkerson Also executive producer (1 episode) • 2025 — Shifting Gears — Roger — Episode: "Secret"

• Year — Title — Artist — Album — Role — Notes — Ref(s) Reference(s) • 2002 — "Someday" — The Strokes — Is This It — Himself — Family Feud • 2018 — "Careless Whisper" — Train (feat. Kenny G) — Greatest Hits — Saxophone player — Wham! cover

• Year — Title — Role — Notes — Ref(s) Reference(s) • 1985 — The Other Shore — Performer — Off-broadway

Richard Karn is recorded as actor and presenter.