Robert Joseph `` Bob '' Vila ( born June 20 , 1946 ) is an American home improvement television show host known for `` This Old House '' ( 1979 -- 1989 ) , `` Bob Vila 's Home Again '' ( 1990 -- 2005 ) , and `` Bob Vila '' ( 2005 -- 2007 ) .
Robert Joseph Vila ( also Bob Vila ; born 20 June 1946 ) is an American home improvement television host . He hosted `` This Old House '' ( 1979-89 ) , `` Bob Vila 's Home Again '' ( 1990 to 2005 ) and `` Bob Vila '' ( 2005 to 2007 ) .