Tim Allen Reflects on the Joys and Challenges of Mentoring His ‘Home Improvement’ Co-Stars
Tim Allen Shares Reflections on Mentoring Co-Stars from Home Improvement
Tim Allen recently opened up about the challenges he faced while mentoring his on-screen sons during his time on the iconic sitcom Home Improvement. In an exclusive interview, the 72-year-old actor revealed that stepping into a father figure role was initially a struggle for him.
“It was new to me and it took a while for me to be that [father figure],” Allen said. “I felt like more of a funny, mischievous older brother for quite a while — especially to the boys on Home Improvement.” His co-stars included Zachery Ty Bryan, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Taran Noah Smith.
Reflecting on the lessons he learned throughout the years, Allen noted, “It’s difficult because I said when it was easy to be a TV parent, it’s easy. When it’s difficult to be a TV parent, you really are of no value.” He highlighted the personal struggles some of his former co-stars experienced during their lives. “It was very difficult for me to be anywhere near a mentor or guide,” he added, acknowledging the passage of time since the show aired from 1991 to 1999.
Allen emphasized the evolution of his mentoring style, stating, “It was very difficult to step in, and it wasn’t until later that I became more of a mentor. But they all had great parents.”
After Home Improvement, which also starred Patricia Richardson, Richard Karn, and Debbe Dunning, Allen found continued success as Mike Baxter in Last Man Standing from 2011 to 2021. He has since returned to television in the series Shifting Gears, alongside his on-screen daughter, Kat Dennings.
“On Last Man Standing with Kaitlyn Dever, I was a mentor because I aligned myself with her comedy style,” Allen explained. “I really was all about encouraging her the best I could.”
Despite the time that has passed, Allen maintains close connections with his former co-stars, celebrating significant life events together. “What we do is holidays, birthdays, weddings, and, unfortunately, funerals,” he shared. He also mentioned his enduring connection to his on-screen children, saying, “I’ve done the Buzz Lightyear voice for [my co-stars’ kids].”
Allen previously hinted at the potential return of his former co-stars in Shifting Gears. “Everything is a possibility,” he stated, referring to Thomas’s recent return to acting. “He just came back [to the last episode we filmed]. He showed up on the set.”
Expressing his feelings about his co-stars, Allen remarked, “He’s literally my kid. I raised that kid for eight years on Home Improvement. All of these are my kids, and I’m kind of sick about this.”
The bonds formed during Home Improvement have left a lasting impact on Allen, as he recalled a moment with former co-star Nancy Travis. “She was so wonderful about it because sometimes when they were having trouble on the show, I’d go, ‘How do you think they feel?’ And she would respond, ‘Tim, they’re actors,’” he recounted.
Shifting Gears airs on ABC Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET and is available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
ABC / courtesy Everett Collection
