Richard Karn

Richard Karn is an actor, author, and former game show host whose career spans decades of theater, television, and film. Karn received a master's degree from the Professional Actors Program at the University of Washington, where his formal training laid the groundwork for a versatile career. A veteran of regional, off-Broadway, and Broadway theater, Karn earned his first credit on Broadway in the musical "Me and My Girl." Accustomed to playing the comic lead, he starred in the title role of Larry Shue's "The Foreigner," and includes among his credits starring roles in off-Broadway productions of "Losing It" and "The Other Shore." Karn also landed small roles in the New York films "Desperately Seeking Susan" and "House of Games" before relocating to Los Angeles in pursuit of greater opportunities.

Karn's path to television included a pivotal encounter that led to his casting in "Home Improvement." Initially hired for the pilot episode, Karn's performance as Al Borland, the competent, flannel-wearing assistant to Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, resonated with audiences and established him as a recognizable figure in 1990s television comedy. He appeared in 202 of the show's 204 episodes.

Following "Home Improvement," Karn expanded his television presence by hosting the syndicated game show "Family Feud" for four seasons, succeeding Louie Anderson and preceding John O'Hurley. He also authored books including "House Broken: How I Remodeled My Home for Just Under Three Times the Original Bid" and "Handy at Home: Tips on Improving Your Home from America's Favorite Handyman," sharing insights on home improvement and do-it-yourself projects.

Karn continued to build his body of work with guest appearances and collaborations, including guest-starring in episodes of the Fox sitcom "Last Man Standing" and co-hosting History Channel's reality competition "Assembly Required" and docuseries "More Power" alongside Tim Allen. Karn also took on a recurring role as Fred Peters in the Hulu comedy series "PEN15," depicting a parent navigating family dynamics in a coming-of-age story. He appeared as a guest star in the ABC sitcom "Shifting Gears" in its second season premiere, reuniting with former "Home Improvement" cast members. Karn's career reflects a consistent presence in entertainment, home improvement media, and television hosting.