# Richard Karn

Richard Karn (born Richard Karn Wilson; February 17, 1956) is an American actor, author and former game show host. He starred as Al Borland in the ABC series Home Improvement and as Fred Peters in the Hulu series Pen15. Karn was also the fourth host of Family Feud from 2002 to 2006.

## Early life

Richard Karn Wilson was born in Seattle, Washington, on February 17, 1956. His father, Gene, was a Seabee who served in World War II. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington Professional Actor Training Program, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi. Karn also gained drama experience in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival.
After earning his drama degree in 1979, Karn moved to New York City, where in less than a week he was hired to do a commercial for Michelob beer that was featured during Super Bowl XIV. When Karn joined the Screen Actors Guild, he was informed there was already a Richard Wilson, prompting him to drop his surname.

## Career

In 1989, Karn's wife, Tudi, convinced him to move to Los Angeles. Karn found a place for them to live by managing an apartment complex, catering events at a Jewish synagogue on the side. After receiving a traffic citation, Karn attended a traffic school and sat beside an agent who told him about casting for the new television show Home Improvement. The role of Al Borland had already been given to Stephen Tobolowsky, but when taping was scheduled, Tobolowsky was busy with another movie and the role had to be recast. Karn was a guest star in the pilot episode but became a regular cast member when the show was picked up by the network.
In 2002, Karn replaced Louie Anderson as the fourth individual to host the game show Family Feud. He left Family Feud in 2006 and was replaced by John O'Hurley.
In 2002, Karn 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.
On October 6, 2008, Karn replaced Patrick Duffy as host of Game Show Network's Bingo America. He also served as a substitute host on GSN Radio.
Karn did commercials for Orchard Supply Hardware in the 1990s.

## Personal life

Karn has been married to actress Tudi Roche since 1985. They have a son named Cooper, who was born on March 4, 1992.
From 1994 to 1999, Karn hosted an annual celebrity golf tournament in Seattle. In July 2002, the Karn Invitational celebrity golf event was held at Echo Falls Golf Club in Snohomish, Washington.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Bram Stoker's Legend of the Mummy | Brice Renard | |
| 2001 | MVP: Most Vertical Primate | Ollie Plant | |
| 2002 | Sex and the Teenage Mind | Stanley Heitmeyer | |
| 2002 | Reality School | Victor Cayanne | |
| 2002 | Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch | Patrick | |
| 2006 | Air Buddies | Patrick | |
| 2006 | Mr. Blue Sky | John | |
| 2008 | Snow Buddies | Patrick | |
| 2011 | The Back-up Bride | Shane Bingham | |
| 2011 | Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury | Bill Witherspoon | |
| 2013 | Gordon Family Tree | Perry Merrow | |
| 2015 | A Dog for Christmas | Santa | |
| 2016 | Stars Are Already Dead | Jim | |
| 2017 | The Horse Dancer | Jerry | |
| 2017 | F the Prom | Murphy Datner | |
| 2018 | Amanda and the Fox | Judge Weartherbee | |
| 2019 | Check Inn to Christmas | Tim | Hallmark movie |
| 2020 | Horse Camp: A Love Tail | Jerry | |
| 2021 | The Christmas Dance | Sherman | |
| 2022 | Carrie and Jess Save the Universe! | Computer face | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | One Life to Live | Edgar | 1 episode |
| 1989 | ABC TGIF | Al | |
| 1991 | Carol & Company | J.T. | Episode: "No News Is Bad News" |
| 1991–1999 | Home Improvement | Al Borland | 202 episodes |
| 1994 | ABC After School Specials | Mr. Delo | Episode: "Boys Will Be Boys" |
| 1995 | Burke's Law | David Bergen | Episode: "Who Killed Mr. Game Show?" |
| 1995 | Picture Perfect | George Thomas | Television film |
| 1995 | Boy Meets World | Victor | Episode: "This Little Piggy" |
| 1996 | WOW! The Most Amazing Acts on Earth | Host | |
| 1996 | Chariots of the Gods? The Mysteries Continue | Host | |
| 1996 | How to Host a BBQ with Richard Karn | Host | Television short |
| 1996–1999 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show | Himself/Guest | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | Soul Man | Al Borland | Episode: "Cinderella and the Funeral" |
| 1998 | Foot Soldier | Host / Narrator | TV movie |
| 2000 | The Pooch and the Pauper | Agent Dainville | Television film |
| 2000 | Recess | Edmund P. Edmonton (voice) | Episode: "Beyond a Reasonable Scout" |
| 2001 | That '70s Show | Theo | Episode: "Bye Bye Basement" |
| 2001 | The Lot | Stan Lunquist | Episode: "The Mob Scene" |
| 2001 | The Chronicle | David Tally | Episode: "Baby Got Back" |
| 2002–2006 | Family Feud | Host | Main role |
| 2003 | Watching Ellie | Himself | Episode: "Feud" |
| 2004 | Reality School | Founder | Television film |
| 2007 | WWE Raw | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2008 | Dirt | Holt McLauren's Father | Episode: "Ties That (Don't) Bind" |
| 2008 | Biz Kid$ | Himself | 2 episodes |
| 2008–2009 | Bingo America | Co-host | 26 episodes |
| 2009 | Ctrl | Arthur Piller | 10 episodes |
| 2010 | True Jackson, VP | Fire Marshal O'Dannon | Episode: "My Boss Ate My Homework" |
| 2011 | In Gayle We Trust | Mayor Thomas | Episode: "Gayle and the Table Read" |
| 2013 | Last Man Standing | Bill McKendree | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | A Daughter's Nightmare | Cameron "Cam" Morgan | Television film |
| 2014 | No Such Luck | Sheriff Lawrence | Television short |
| 2014 | A Perfect Christmas List | Tim | Television film |
| 2015 | Christmas Land | Mason Richards | Television film |
| 2017 | Detroiters | Himself | Episode: "Quick Rick Mahorn in Dearborn" |
| 2017 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Judge Jon Oplinger | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Christmas in Mississippi | Mr. McGuire | Television film |
| 2018 | Find Your Future Reality | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2019 | Check Inn to Christmas | Tim Crawley | Television film |
| 2019–2021 | PEN15 | Fred Peters | 11 episodes |
| 2021 | Assembly Required | Co-host | COVID-lockdown competition show spin-off of Home Improvement's Tool Time; with Tim Allen and toolgirl April Wilkerson Also executive producer (10 episodes) |
| 2022 | More Power | Co-host | Tool documentary show spin-off of Home Improvement 's Tool Time; with Tim Allen and toolgirl April Wilkerson Also executive producer (1 episode) |

### Music videos

| Year | Title | Artist | Album | Role | Notes | Ref(s) |
| 2002 | "Someday" | The Strokes | Is This It | Himself | Family Feud parody | |
| 2018 | "Careless Whisper" | Train (feat. Kenny G) | Greatest Hits | Saxophone player | Wham! cover | |

## Books

* House Broken: How I Remodeled My Home for Just Under Three Times the Original Bid (1999) – ISBN 0-06-105144-6 (with George Mair)
* Handy at Home: Tips on Improving Your Home from America's Favorite Handyman (2002) – ISBN 0-312-30606-7 (with George Mair)