Richard Karn

Richard Karn
Richard Karn in 2015
Born	Richard Karn Wilson (1956-02-17) February 17, 1956 (age 61) Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Occupation	Actor/Game show host
Years active	1990–present
Spouse(s)	Tudi Roche (1985–present)
Children	Cooper Andrew Wilson (b. 1992)
Parent(s)	Louise Wilson Gene Wilson

Richard Karn Wilson (born February 17, 1956) is an American actor and game show host. He is most well known for his co-starring role as Al Borland in the 1990s sitcom Home Improvement and his tenure as the host of Family Feud during the 2000s.

Karn was born Richard Karn Wilson in Seattle, Washington. Karn's father, Gene, was a Seabee who served in World War II. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Karn also gained drama experience in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival.

After earning his drama degree in 1979, Karn moved to New York City. After less than one week, he was hired to do a commercial for Michelob beer that was featured during the 1980 Super Bowl. When he joined the Screen Actors Guild, he was informed there was already a Richard Wilson, so he dropped his last name.

In 1989, his wife Tudi convinced him that they should move to Los Angeles. He found a place for them to live by managing an apartment complex, and catered 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 called 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.