- Richard Karn
Infobox actor
name = Richard Karn
caption = Richard Karn, former host of "Family Feud".
birthname = Richard Karn Wilson
birthdate = birth date and age|1956|02|17
Died = death date and age|2008|05|20|1946|9|5Los Angeles ,California
birthplace =Seattle, Washington
occupation =actor ,game show host
yearsactive =
spouse =Tudi Roche
children = Cooper Andrew Wilson
parents = Louise Wilson
Gene Wilson
influences =
influenced =
website =Richard Karn Wilson (born
February 17 1956 inSeattle, Washington ) is an Americantelevision actor andgame show host.Karn is best known for his role as
Al Borland , the sidekick ofTim Allen 's character, on the sitcom "Home Improvement " (1991–1999). In 2002, Karn replacedLouie Anderson as host of thegame show "Family Feud ". In 2002, Karn also 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 ". OnOctober 6 ,2008 , Karn replacedPatrick Duffy as host ofGSN 'sBingo America .Karn is sometimes referred to as "Richard Jr." because he and original "Feud" host
Richard Dawson share the same first name. Richard left "Family Feud" in 2006 and was replaced byJohn O'Hurley .Early years
Karn is the son of Gene and Louise Wilson and has a sister, Sue. His mother was a painter and died of bone marrow cancer in 1983. His father was a building contractor. He also served with honor as a
U.S. Navy Seabee inWorld War II . (OnHome Improvement , Karn's characterAl Borland was a Navy Seabee and also worked in construction.) Karn has been married toTudi Roche , who occasionally appeared on "Home Improvement" as Jill's sister Carrie, since 1985. They live inLos Angeles, California with their son Cooper Karn Wilson (born 1992).After graduating from Roosevelt High School in
Seattle, Washington , where he was in the drama program, Karn attended theUniversity of Washington , where he was known around campus as "Dickie K." He received aBachelor of Fine Arts degree from the university's [http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrama/patp/documents/patp2008.pdf Professional Actor Training Program] , and was a member ofBeta Theta Pi fraternity.Karn and his wife managed an apartment building before he was cast in "Home Improvement". They even kept the job through the first season of the show, as they were unsure if it was going to be a hit. Karn credits his hard work ethic and Al's character traits to his father Gene, who could build or fix anything.
Later years
In 2008, Karn became the national spokesman for the "Mr. Handyman" franchise chain of professional handymen. He is touted as a "Handyman Guru," borrowing on his TV personna. He has also served as the spokesman for the Little Giant ladder system, a product of
Wing Enterprises . Richard became the new host of Bingo America on GSN on October 6, 2008 [http://buzzerblog.flashgameshows.com/richard-karn-is-new-host-of-bingo-america/] .elected filmography
Films
*"
Snow Buddies " (2008) - Patrick
*"Mr. Blue Sky" (2006) - John
*"Air Buddies " (2005) - Patrick
*"" (2002) — Patrick
*"Reality School " (2002) — Victor Cayanne
*"Sex and the Teenage Mind " (2002) — Stanley Heitmeyer
*"" (2001) — Ollie Plant
*"The Pooch and the Pauper " (1999) — Agent Dainville
*"Legend of the Mummy " (1997) — Brice Renard
*"Picture Perfect" (1995)(TV) - George ThomasTV series
*"
Home Improvement " (1991–1999) —Al Borland
*"Family Feud " (2002–2006) — Host
*"Bingo America " (2008-present) - Host
*"Foot Soldier" (1998) - Host and narrator
*"That 70's Show " (1 episode, Bye Bye Basement) Theo
*"Boy Meets World " (1 episode, "This Little Piggy") Animal Control Officer
*" The New St Elsewhere (Dr. Frank Baum)
*"Dirt " (1 episode, Ties That (Don't) Bind) Holt McLauren's Father(Richard Karn is doing 7Up ads for the summer of 2008)Currently on Nick at Nite
*"WOW! The Most Amazing Acts on Earth " 1996 - HostKarn also appeared ininfomercial s for the Little Giant Ladder System.Books
*"House Broken: How I Remodeled My Home for Just Under Three Times the Original Bid" (1999) - ISBN 0-0610-5144-6 (with George Mair)
*"Handy at Home: Tips on Improving Your Home from America's Favorite Handyman" (2002) - ISBN 0-3123-0606-7 (with George Mair)External links
*imdb name|id=0439781|name=Richard Karn
*tvtome person|id=17477|name=Richard Karn
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