"Common Ground" (2000) Stills

Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Toby) in Showtime's "COMMON GROUND" in 2000.

©Showtime Networks/courtesy Everett Collection

Magazine Article (June, 1997)

Magazine article (Summer 1997)

Okay, so maybe he’s the number one cute guy on your own personal list of heartthrobs or perhaps he stands alone as the one and only cute guy on your list. Whatever the case, Jonathan Taylor Thomas certainly didn’t get to be your main man over night! …

IT ALL STARTED WITH HOME IMPROVEMENT…

A little cutie by the name of Jonathan Taylor Thomas first came to our attention in September of ’91 when a sitcom called Home Improvement premiered. The show revolved around Tim Taylor, host of a fix-it-yourself TV show called Tool Time, and husband and father of three sons. It was those three rambunctious yet adorable sons, Brad, Randy and Mark, who kept us tuning in. 

THE START OF SOMETHING BIG!

One year later, on summer break from Home Improvement, Jonathan landed another gig—the voice of a lion cub named Simba in Disney’s newest animated feature, The Lion King. We remember Jonathan being totally psyched as he shared with us the plot of what would become a blockbuster hit for Disney—and, unbeknownst to him, the start of something really big for Jonathan!

“I think the character of Simba is a lot like me,” Jonathan said around the time The Lion King was released. “He’s real energetic, and always looking around for a new adventure.” Jonathan’s next new adventure came in the form of his first live movie role. The movie was a comedy titled Man Of The House starring Farrah Fawcett and funnyman Chevy Chase. Jonathan starred as Ben Archer a youngster who does his darnedest to prevent his mom from remarrying. 

THE HARDEST WORKING TEEN IN THE BIZ!

And so, JTT, as he came to be known by fans far and wide, had taken off like a shot. Home Improvement was flying high in the ratings and Jonathan was pleased as punch to be making movies during the show’s hiatus. He was working harder than ever and loving every minute of it!

In 1995, Jonathan took on his biggest challenge to date—filming two movies back to back during his break. First he headed to Huntsville, Alabama to star in the title role in The Adventures Of Tom And Huck. JTT was the rascally Tom Sawyer and Brad Renfro his best friend Huck Finn. The movie marked another challenge for Jonathan—his first big screen kiss which he shared with the pretty Rachael Leigh Cook as Becky Thatcher. When the film wrapped, Jonathan was off to Europe and the Czech Republic to film The Adventures Of Pinocchio.

GOIN’ WILD!

And now for the film we’ve all been waiting for. That would be Wild America. Jonathan’s next movie, filmed on location in Georgia and parts of Canada, is the story of the Stouffer brothers, three brothers from Arkansas who grew up to become famous wildlife photographers. Fans are anxiously awaiting this movie for two major reasons—JTT, who stars as the youngest Stouffer brother, Marshall, and his cool co-stars, Devon Sawa and Scott Bairstow who star as Mark and Marty. Get set to go wild when Wild America comes to cheaters this summer!

HE WOULDN’T CHANGE A THING!

Looking back on his career and all he’s accomplished so far, Jonathan has said he “wouldn’t change a thing.” And, lucky for us, this talented and terrific teen star hopes to stick around for the long run. “I think I want to stay in the industry,” he says. “It’s something I’m comfortable with. I’d like to direct, but if I don’t, then maybe I can produce, write or do something else.”

"Zachery & Jonathan: It Ain't Just Paint" (1993) 16 Magazine

Jonathan Taylor Thomas & Zachery Ty Bryan featured in 1993 issue of 16 Magazine.

 

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" (1998) BOP Magazine

 "I'll Be Home for Christmas" (1998) DVD advertisement featured in BOP Magazine.

"Join the stars of Home Improvement for lunch at Planet Hollywood" (1993) Tutti Frutti Magazine

Join the stars of Home Improvement for lunch at Planet Hollywood!

When Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Zachery Ty Bryan came to New York, Tutti took these two cuties out for lunch at Planet Hollywood. Here are some cool pics!

Hey, here’s a cool fact: Did you know that although Jonathan plays the younger of the two sons, he’s actually a month older than Zach?! Interesting stuff…

Hey guys, dig your groovy new threads! Jon ’n’ Zach had a blast checking out Arnold’s Terminator motorcycle! 

They might have different tastes in ice cream but they’ve got the same taste in hats!

Jonathan is pretty health conscious and doesn’t really eat meat…so he opted for a veggie pasta dish. He also split a Caesar salad with his mom. Yum!

Zachery poses with his little sister Sarah!

Hey…take human bites! Jonathan, Zachery and Sarah pig out on famous PH sundaes!

These two kids are pals both on and off the set…and they’re constantly giving each other compliments! “Jonathan has the coolest voice,” sez Zachery. And you’ll be able to hear it in the upcoming Disney animated feature King Of The Jungle!

Nickelodeon's 1998 Big Help (1998) Teen Beat Magazine

Jonathan Taylor Thomas attends Nickelodeon's 1998 Big Help in Los Angeles, California, on September 6, 1998.

Featured in Teen Beat Magazine.

 

"Nickelodeon's Third Annual Big Help-A-Thon" ALL-STARS Magazine (1997)

Teen Stars Turn Up To Support Nickelodeon’s Third Annual Big Help-A-Thon!

This year’s Big Help-A-Thon was held on September 29, 1997 at the newly opened  Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier and lots of your fave celebs turned out for the event. Part of Nickelodeon’s The Big Help campaign to connect kids to their communities through volunteerism, The Big Help-A-Thon encourages kids to pledge their time to volunteer in their communities. Going strong for a third straight year, the eight-hour event featured special programming, live entertainment, segments from remote sites across the country that focus on volunteer activities and special appearances by top celebrities from music, sports, movies and television. Spokespeople for The Big Help are Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Larisa Oleynik and host Mike O’Malley and special guest stars included Andrew Keegan, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Clueless’ Donald Adeosun Faison and Stacey Dash, musical group All-4-One and lots of others. ALL-STARS was there to catch all the music, special activities and carnival attractions of the Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park—and to capture it all for you on film! This year, a total of eight and a half million calls were garnered from kids nationwide who pledged a record setting 92.5 million volunteer hours of their time. For everyone who participated in this year’s Big Help-A-Thon—way to go!

"Jonathan's Newsworthy Viewings" BOP Magazine (1993)

Jonathan’s Newsworthy Viewings 

Like many people, Jonathan Taylor Thomas often takes to the tube after a long day. He watches TV to unwind after work on Home Improvement, soccer practice and a soon-to-be-seventh grader’s share of schoolwork. We weren’t surprised when Jonathan told us he tunes into sitcoms to relax (Martin is one of his faves).

But what did surprise us was finding out that unlike most 12-year-olds, Jonathan often remote-controls himself over to less-than-laugh-inducing programs. Before his bedtime, he says, “I watch CNN and C-SPAN every night for an hour.”

You read that right: CNN, the 24-hour cable news channel, and C-SPAN, the cable channel that broadcasts the daily doings of our Congress in Washington, D.C. A whole hour’s worth of news—no wonder you snooze, you just might be tempted to respond. “Well, half an hour, or whatever,” Jonathan notes. “You know, just before I go to bed. I just try to keep up with the world’s events.”

We think it’s amazingly cool that Jonathan would forego the sillier shows for a dose of reality. In fact, if everybody followed his lead, the world would be a better place. But why the religious viewing of news every single night?

“Just to see what comes on,” he says. “Because sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of the morning, I miss the newspaper.”

Teen Magazine (September 1998)

Hottest tv babe (comedy series): Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Vote JTT for President! Really! 

The guy has genuine political aspirations lurking behind his acting talents. “I wouldn’t mind going into politics if I could do it with dignity,” he says. “It’s one way of making a difference.”

For now, Jonathan continues to wow TV fans as Home Improvement’s sarcastic Randy Taylor. He’ll also add another big-screen notch to his career belt with the upcoming holiday flick I’ll Be Home for Christmas—and his role in the romantic comedy is a welcome change. “I’m at the point now where I need to take some steps forward,” he says.

His personal life takes a major leap forward this month, since he’s turning 17, but the party will probably be a played-down affair. JTT may have grown up in showbiz, but its definitely not all glitz and glamour for this low-key cutie. “If you could be a celebrity without being a ‘celebrity,’ that would be me,” he says. “I don’t like all that attention.”

Not that he gets much of a chance to enjoy the perks of fame. He spends his precious little free time watching C-SPAN and tooling around in his sport-utility vehicle. But mostly his life’s about work. When he’s not busy doing Home Improvement or movies, he’s studying—and earning straight As! No wonder Jonathan’s making college plans (he’s thinking Northwestern or Yale).

If he does go into politics, Jonathan knows real leadership means more than a killer smile. “Actors and athletes are fine, but kids need to see who the real heroes are.” 

— Michelle Sullivan

(Photo: George Large/Outline)

"JTT In The Adventures Of Pinocchio" (1996) BOP Magazine

"The Adventures of Pinocchio" (1996) featured in BOP Magazine.

 

8 Simple Rules "Opposites Attract: Part 3: Night of the Locust" (February 24, 2004)

Screencaps from the ABC sitcom “8 Simple Rules” (2002-2005) from S2E13.

Bridget Hennessy (Kaley Cuoco) & Jeremy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas).

“Opposites Attract: Part 3: Night of the Locust”

Directed by James Widdoes

Written by Tracy Gamble, Bill Callahan, & Bill Daly

Season 2, Episode 15

Airdate: February 24, 2004

Rating: TV-PG

Synopsis:

Rory has started a blog centering on school rumors and C.J. starts helping him. Bridget tries to get Jeremy to go to the dance. The PTA, of which Cate belongs to, outlaws "suggestive" dancing, and Kerry decides to rebel. And Damian returns.

(ABC/2004)