Richard Karn Net Worth

May 2024 · 7 minute read

Richard Karn Wilson net worth is
$10 Million

Richard Karn Wilson Wiki Biography

Richard Karn Wilson was born on 17 February 1956, in Seattle, Washington USA, to mother Louise, a painter, and father Gene Wilson, a building contractor and a Seabee who served in World War II. He is an actor and game show host, perhaps best known for starring as Al Borland in the ’90s television series “Home Improvement” and for being the host of the television game show “Family Feud” during the 2000s.

So just how rich is Richard Karn? According to sources in mid-2016, Karn has earned a net worth of over $10 million. His fortune has been accumulated through his involvement in the television and film industry.

Richard Karn Net Worth $10 Million

Karn grew up in Seattle, along with his sister. He attended Nathan Eckstein Junior High School and Theodore Roosevelt High School in Seattle, where he was active in the drama program. After matriculating, he enrolled at the University of Washington, earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the university’s Professional Actor Training Program. While at Washington, Karn was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He earned his Drama degree in 1979.

In 1980 Karn moved to New York City, and shortly after was hired to do a 1980 Super Bowl beer advertisement. Joining the Screen Actors Guild, he learned that there was already an actor named Richard Wilson in the union, hence he decided to omit his last name from his stage name. During this time, Karn made his Broadway debut, playing the ‘suit of armor’ in “Me and My Girl”. In 1989 he moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as an apartment building manager, and also catered events at a Jewish synagogue.

In 1991 Karn was cast as Albert ‘Al’ Borland in the television sitcom “Home Improvement”. Originally, the role had already been given to Stephen Tobolowsky who was working on another movie at the time, and therefore Karn filled in as a favor to the directors in the pilot when Tobolowsky wasn’t available. However, when the series was picked up by ABC, Karn became a regular cast member. “Home Improvement” quickly became one of the highest-rated and most watched shows of the time, winning numerous awards, including Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, Kids’ Choice, Young Artist, ASCAP and many others. Karn appeared in 201 episodes, out of 204 during the show’s eight-season run, before the series ended in 1999. It significantly contributed to Karn’s fame and to his net worth as well.

In the meantime, he appeared in several made-for-television films, including ABC’s “Picture Perfect” and HBO’s “Bram Stoker’s Legend of the Mummy”. He also appeared in the television series “Dirt”, “Boy Meets World”, “That ’70 Show” and “Foot Soldier”.

In 2002 Karn took minor roles in the films “Sex and the Teenage Mind”, “Reality School”, and “Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch”. The same year he became the host of the popular game show “Family Feud”, replacing Louie Anderson. He remained on the show until 2006, when he was replaced by John O’Hurley. Hosting “Family Heud” enabled Karn to reinforce the popularity he gained in “Home Improvement”, and considerably added to his wealth. It also led him to appear in The Strokes’ music video for “Someday” in 2002, which featured the band’s fictional appearance on “Family Feud” against the band Guided by Voices.

In 2005 Karn appeared in the film “Air Buddies”, and then in its 2008 sequel “Snow Buddies”. From 2008 to 2009, he served as the host of Game Show Network’s “Bingo America”, replacing Patrick Duffy. In 2010 he appeared in the Nickelodeon sitcom “True Jackson, VP”, and in 2013 in the ABC sitcom “Last Man Standing”. The following year he played Cam Morgan in the thriller “A Daughter’s Nightmare”. All contributed to his wealth.

When it comes to his private life, Karn has been married to actress Tudi Roche since 1985, who also appeared in “Home Improvement”. The couple has one child together.


Full NameRichard Karn
Net Worth$10 Million
Date Of BirthFebruary 17, 1956
Place Of BirthSeattle, Washington, U.S.
ProfessionActor, tv show personality, game show host
EducationNathan Eckstein Junior High School, Theodore Roosevelt High School, University of Washington
NationalityAmerican
SpouseTudi Roche (m. 1985-)
ChildrenCooper Andrew Wilson
ParentsGene Wilson, Louise Wilson
SiblingsSue Wilson
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/Richard-Karn-34881379248/
Twitterhttps://twitter.com/therichardkarn?lang=en
IMDBwww.imdb.com/name/nm0439781
AwardsTV Land Fan Favorite Award
Movies"Bram Stoker's Legend of the Mummy", "Dirt", "Boy Meets World", "Sex and the Teenage Mind", "Reality School", "Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch"
TV Shows"Home Improvement", "Family Feud", "Me and My Girl", "Picture Perfect", "That '70 Show", "Foot Soldier", "Family Feud", "Bingo America", "Last Man Standing" (2013)
#Trademark
1Beard
2Goatie
3Raspy Voice
4Always wears Button-Down shirts or LumberJack outfits
#Quote
1(Commenting on the death of his mother, who succumbed to cancer in 1983): "I thought my parents were invincible. It never occurred to me she would die."
#Fact
1Was not the original actor chosen to be Al on Home Improvement. Strphen Tobolowsky was originally cast and Richard filled in as a favor to the directors in the pilot when Stephen wasn't available. Once Stephen decided to pursue a movie career Richard agreed to stay on as Al.
2Richard and Casey Sander attended Nathan Eckstein Junior High School in Seattle together, though Richard was a year behind.
3His son, Cooper, goes to Campbell Hall. This school was also once attended by Andy Garcia's children, Denzel Washington's daughter (Olivia), Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen and Andrew Lawrence.
4Graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Seattle, Washington and was often a part of the drama program there.
5His father Gene is a retired building contractor.
6His mother Louise was a painter; she died of bone marrow cancer in 1983.
7His last name is omitted from his stage name because it was discovered that the Screen Actors Guild already had an actor by the name of Richard Wilson.
8Is a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity from University of Washington
9Worked as an apartment building manager prior to his success on Home Improvement (1991), and even maintained that job during the show's first season until he knew that Home Improvement would be successful.
10Graduated University of Washington with B.F.A. from the Professional Actors Training Program.
11Has one son, Cooper Karn (b. 1992).
12His wife, Tudi Roche, periodically appears on Home Improvement (1991) as Jill's sister.

All pictures

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Horse Dancer2017post-productionJerry
F*&% the Prom2017post-productionMurphy
Stars Are Already Dead2016/IcompletedJim
Amanda and the Fox2016Judge Weartherbee
Christmas Land2015TV MovieMason Richards
A Dog for Christmas2015Santa
A Perfect Christmas List2014TV MovieTim
No Such Luck2014ShortSheriff Lawrence
A Daughter's Nightmare2014TV MovieCameron
Gordon Family Tree2013Perry Merrow
Last Man Standing2013TV SeriesBill McKendree
All Star Bowling Trick Shots2012Video shortRichard Karn
Poolboy: Drowning Out the Fury2011Bill Witherspoon
The Back-up Bride2011Shane Bingham
In Gayle We Trust2011TV SeriesMayor Thomas
True Jackson, VP2010TV SeriesFire Marshal O'Dannon
Ctrl2009TV SeriesArthur Piller
Dirt2008TV SeriesHolt's Father
Snow Buddies2008VideoPatrick
Mr. Blue Sky2007John Adams
Air Buddies2006VideoPatrick Framm
The Fast One2006ShortGerald
Reality School2004TV MovieFounder
Watching Ellie2003TV SeriesRichard Karn
Sex and the Teenage Mind2002Stanley Heitmeyer
Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch2002VideoPatrick
Reality School2002ShortVictor Cayanne
That '70s Show2001TV SeriesTheo
MVP: Most Vertical Primate2001Ollie Plant
The Chronicle2001TV SeriesDavid Tally
The Lot2001TV SeriesStan Lunquist
Recess2000TV SeriesEdmond P. Edmonton
The Pooch and the Pauper2000TV MovieAgent Dainville
Home Improvement1991-1999TV SeriesAl Borland
Legend of the Mummy1998Brice Renard
Soul Man1997TV SeriesAl Borland
How to Host a BBQ with Richard Karn1996TV ShortHost
Boy Meets World1995TV SeriesVictor
Picture Perfect1995TV MovieGeorge Thomas
Burke's Law1995TV SeriesDavid Bergen
ABC Afterschool Specials1994TV SeriesMr. Delo
ABC TGIF1990TV SeriesAl

Miscellaneous

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Picture Perfect1995TV Movie creative consultant

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
The Story Behind: Home Improvement2015TV Movie documentaryHimself
Home & Family2013TV SeriesHimself - Guest
Celebrity Poker Live2012TV SeriesHimself
The 8th Annual TV Land Awards2010TV SpecialHimself - Glee Club
2009 Game Show Awards2009TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
Straight from the Horses Mouth2009VideoHimself
The 7th Annual TV Land Awards2009TV SpecialHimself
Bingo America2008TV SeriesHimself - Host / Himself
GSN Live2008TV SeriesHimself
WWE Raw2007TV SeriesHimself
Big Break All-Star Challenge2006TV Special
E! True Hollywood Story2004-2005TV Series documentaryHimself
Family Feud2002-2005TV SeriesHimself - Host / Host
World Poker Tour2004TV SeriesHimself
Tim Allen Presents: A User's Guide to 'Home Improvement'2003TV MovieHimself / Al Borland
TVography: Home Improvement - A Half Hour of Power2002TV SpecialHimself
MVP 2: Most Vertical Primate - Behind the Scenes2002Video documentary shortHimself - 'Ollie'
The Rosie O'Donnell Show1996-1999TV SeriesHimself
Home Improvement: Backstage Pass1999TV Special documentaryHimself; Al Borland
Foot Soldiers1998TV Movie documentaryNarrator
Sin City Spectacular1998TV SeriesHimself
Road Rules1998TV SeriesHimself
Christmas Miracles1997TV MovieHimself
Chariots of the Gods? The Mysteries Continue1996TV Movie documentaryHost
Oops! The World's Funniest Outtakes 41996TV MovieHimself
The 21st Annual People's Choice Awards1995TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favorite Television Comedy Series
The Walt Disney Company and McDonald's Present the American Teacher Awards1995TV SpecialHimself
Wheel of Fortune1995TV SeriesHimself - Celebrity Contestant
The 20th Annual People's Choice Awards1994TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favorite Television Comedy Series
The 19th Annual People's Choice Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favourite Television Comedy Series
The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1993TV SpecialHimself - Audience Member
Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade1992TV SpecialHimself
The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards1992TV SpecialHimself - Presenter
The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards1992TV SpecialHimself - Accepting Award for Favourite New Television Comedy Program

Archive Footage

Known for movies


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