Richard Karn (created February 17, 1956) is an American actor and game show host. Karn was born Richard Karn Wilson in Seattle, Washington. Karn’s dad, Gene, was a Seabee who served in the Second World War. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School as well as the University of Washington, where he was a part of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Karn additionally developed play expertise in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival. After earning his Play degree in 1979, Karn moved to Nyc. After significantly less than one week, he was hired to do a commercial for Michelob beer which was featured during the 1980 Super Bowl. When he joined the Screen Actors Guild, he was told there was already a Richard Wilson, so he lost his last name. In 1989, his wife Tudi convinced Karn that they need to move to La. He located a spot for them to dwell by handling an apartment complex, and catered events in a Jewish synagogue privately. The character of Al Borland had recently been given to Stephen Tobolowsky, but when taping was scheduled, Tobolowsky was occupied with another picture as well as the character needed to be recast. Karn left Family Feud in 2006 and was replaced by John O’Hurley. Steve Harvey replaced John O’Hurley in 2010. In 2002, Karn also made an appearance in The Strokes’ music video for “Someday”, which featured sections of the group on a fictional showing of Family Feud from the group Guided by Voices. Karn was also a replacement host on GSN Radio.
Nathan Eckstein Junior High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, University of Washington
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Tudi Roche (m. 1985)
Children
Cooper Karn Wilson
Parents
Gene Wilson, Louise Wilson
Siblings
Sue Wilson
Nicknames
Richard Karn Wilson , Rich
Awards
TV Land Fan Favorite Award
Movies
"Bram Stoker's Legend of the Mummy", "Dirt", "Boy Meets World", "Sex and the Teenage Mind", "Reality School", "Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch"
TV Shows
"Home Improvement", "Family Feud", "Me and My Girl", "Picture Perfect", "That '70 Show", "Foot Soldier", "Family Feud", "Bingo America", "Last Man Standing" (2013)
Star Sign
Aquarius
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Trademark
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Beard
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Goatie
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Raspy Voice
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Always wears Button-Down shirts or LumberJack outfits
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Quote
1
(Commenting on the death of his mother, who succumbed to cancer in 1983): "I thought my parents were invincible. It never occurred to me she would die."
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Fact
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Was not the original actor chosen to be Al on Home Improvement. Strphen Tobolowsky was originally cast and Richard filled in as a favor to the directors in the pilot when Stephen wasn't available. Once Stephen decided to pursue a movie career Richard agreed to stay on as Al.
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Richard and Casey Sander attended Nathan Eckstein Junior High School in Seattle together, though Richard was a year behind.
Graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington and was often a part of the drama program there.
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His father Gene is a retired building contractor.
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His mother Louise was a painter; she died of bone marrow cancer in 1983.
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His last name is omitted from his stage name because it was discovered that the Screen Actors Guild already had an actor by the name of Richard Wilson.
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Is a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity from University of Washington
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Worked as an apartment building manager prior to his success on Home Improvement (1991), and even maintained that job during the show's first season until he knew that Home Improvement would be successful.
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Graduated University of Washington with B.F.A. from the Professional Actors Training Program.
$10 Million
