Patricia Richardson Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for a People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Performer in 1996
• Is a spokesperson for Cure PSP, a non-profit campaign aimed at raising awareness of progressive supranuclear palsy, a disease her father was diagnosed with
• Was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female for "Ulee's Gold" in 1998
• Graduated from Southern Methodist University, where she first met fellow actor Stephen Tobolowsky, who recommended her for her iconic role in "Home Improvement․"
• Made her screen acting debut in the film "Christmas Evil" in 1980
• Quote: "I wanted very much for [Jill Taylor] not to be a perfect character․ I always hated perfect TV moms․․․I wanted her to have faults and to make mistakes and have to go back and apologize for the things she did wrong․ So, yeah, she was a nag sometimes․"
• Quote: "(On "Home Improvement"): "I didn't really have a clue that it was going to be as successful as it was․․․[But my husband] came back that night [after the pilot aired] and said, 'This is the show you're going to do for seven years'․․․and he was right․""
• Quote: "(On doing TV shows): "Every set in every medium is a family․ The longer the family gets to be together the more comfortable that environment becomes․ The more relaxed you feel, the easier it is; everything flows․""
• Best known for her role as Jill Taylor in "Home Improvement" and as Connie Hope in "Ulee's Gold․"
• Started her career on Broadway as an understudy to Angela Lansbury in "Gypsy: A Musical Fable․"