After being labeled as gay, this former teen idol from Home Improvement faded from the spotlight.
During the 1990s, Jonathan Taylor Thomas—known to fans as JTT—was one of Hollywood’s biggest young stars. He rose to fame playing Randy Taylor on the hit sitcom Home Improvement and became even more beloved as the voice of young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King. With his boyish charm, quick wit, and maturity beyond his years, Thomas became a teen idol, featured on magazine covers and adored by fans around the world.
But at the height of his fame, Thomas made an unusual choice for a rising star: he walked away from the spotlight. By the late ‘90s, after nearly a decade of nonstop work, he decided to leave Home Improvement before its final season. His reasons were personal—he wanted to slow down, travel, focus on his education, and experience life outside the entertainment industry. “I wanted to go to school,” he later said. “I needed a break.”
In the years that followed, he made a few guest appearances on TV and took on more serious acting roles, including LGBTQ+ characters in independent films like Speedway Junky and Common Ground. These performances showed his range but also sparked speculation about his sexuality. Thomas handled the rumors with humor and dignity, denying them and calling out the gossip culture that had taken over early internet forums. “It was just a blatant lie,” he told The Advocate, adding that people were quick to believe what they read online.
Instead of chasing roles, Thomas focused on education. He graduated from Chaminade College Prep, attended Harvard University, and later finished his degree at Columbia University, studying philosophy and history. His shift from Hollywood to academia was rare for a child star, and he has often said he has no regrets. “It was a great period in my life,” he reflected, “but it doesn’t define me.”
From 2013 to 2015, he briefly returned to TV, appearing on Last Man Standing alongside his former Home Improvement co-star Tim Allen. He even directed a few episodes. But since then, he has mostly stayed out of the public eye. Occasional photos—like one from 2023 where he was spotted walking his dogs—still generate excitement and nostalgia among longtime fans. Many admire how he avoided the traps of fame and chose a more private, peaceful life.
Now in his 40s, Jonathan Taylor Thomas remains a rare example of a child star who transitioned into adulthood on his own terms. He didn’t fade because of scandal or failure—he simply chose a different path. His story continues to resonate with fans who see in him not just a childhood crush, but a thoughtful person who prioritized growth, learning, and personal happiness over fame.