Ty Pennington Biography

American television personality Ty Pennington is best known as the host of the hit ABC reality series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which aired in the United States from 2003 to 2012. Pennington was born in 1964 in Atlanta, Georgia, and began his fascination with woodworking when he was a young boy. By the age of twelve, he was designing tree houses for his neighborhood peers, and so while studying commercial art at the Atlanta College of Art, he earned his living as a carpenter.

While in school, Ty was discovered by a modeling scout, who offered Pennington the opportunity to begin work as a model. The move turned out to be lucrative, not only because Ty found himself modeling for such high-profile labels as J.Crew and Levi’s, but also because it provided crucial experience in front of the camera, which would prove beneficial later on. But even though Pennington was become a more and more successful model, he still returned to his roots, working as a set signer and carpenter in the entertainment industry, building and designing sets for films.

In 2000, the Learning Channel began development for their new show Trading Spaces. They offered Ty a role on the show as the designer and carpenter, and Pennington quickly became a favorite “character,” known for his easy-going and playful attitude. The success of the series led to the offer from ABC for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Since the series finale of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Ty Pennington has embarked on a number of endeavors, including a partnership with Sears in which he features his own Ty Pennington Style line of accessories, furniture, and other home décor. He also partners with Lumber Liquidators to feature his line of hardwood flooring. Pennington has also published two books: Ty’s Tricks: Home Repair Secrets Plus Cheap and Easy Projects to Transform Any Room (2003); and Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories (2008.)