This teen heartthrob deemed as gay basically vanished after “Home Improvement”

What Happened to Jonathan Taylor Thomas?. Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT), once a beloved teen heartthrob and star of Home Improvement, stepped away from Hollywood at the height of his fame. Known for voicing young Simba in The Lion King (1994) and charming fans as Randy Taylor, JTT rose to stardom in the early ‘90s.

However, by 1998, he left Home Improvement before its final season, citing exhaustion and a desire to live a more normal life. “I’d been going nonstop since I was 8…I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break,” he said.

He took on more mature roles in indie films like Speedway Junky and Common Ground, which sparked rumors about his sexuality—rumors he publicly denied. In the early 2000s, Thomas focused on education, studying at Harvard and later graduating from Columbia University. He made brief appearances on shows like Last Man Standing (2013–2015), even directing episodes, but largely stayed out of the spotlight.

In 2023, fans were surprised to see rare photos of the now 43-year-old actor, sparking nostalgic reactions from those who grew up with him. While he looks different today, many admire his decision to step away from fame and live on his own terms.

“I never took the fame too seriously,” Thomas once said. “It was a great period in my life… but it doesn’t define me.”