Ty Pennington Biography

Fast Facts

• Often raises awareness for children suffering from ADHD, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 17
• Graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta before studying further at the Atlanta College of Art
• First entered the entertainment industry in 1995 as a set designer for "Leaving Las Vegas," but it wasn't until 2000 when he became famous as a carpenter on TLC's hit home improvement series "Trading Spaces․"
• His interest in craftsmanship began during childhood, when he would build playhouses for the kids in his neighborhood in exchange for comic books
• Quote: "I was the kid who was drawing on tables or removing the legs of furniture․ When I was handed a hammer, my first project was building a three-storey tree house․ My dad was a musician; I didn't get it from him․ I'm self-taught․ My first job in construction paid my way through art school․ I was building to pay my bills․"
• Quote: "It's about the joy of doing things for others․ 'Extreme Makeover' is about family, about America and about these random acts of kindness that can restore your faith in people․"
• Has designed several lines of furniture for various companies, including Sears and the Howard Miller Company
• Best known as a carpenter and as the host of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition․"
• Published the books "Ty's Tricks" in 2003 and "How Good Design Can Change Your Life" in 2008