Taran Noah Smith, who portrayed Mark Taylor—the youngest son of Tim (Tim Allen) and Jill (Patricia Richardson)—on the popular sitcomHome Improvement, has shed light on the unexpected origins of his character’s sudden goth transformation. The ABC series, which aired from 1991 to 1999, followed the life of Tim Taylor, host of the home improvement show “Tool Time,” and his family, including their three sons: Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), and Mark. The show became one of the highest-rated sitcoms for almost the entire decade.
During an appearance onThe Best Show with Tom Scharplingpodcast,Smith reveals that the idea for Mark’s goth phase stemmed from the show’s head writerdrawing inspiration from his own son. After the break betweenHome Improvementseasons 6 and 7, Smith’s Mark returned to his suburban Detroit home with black fingernails, a leather collar, and a shaved head. Read what he had to say below:
So, it wasn’t mine. The whole storyline of the older brothers beating up on me or teasing me didn’t really work anymore because now I was taller than both of them.
I found out later the head writer on the show, he had a son that was right around my age. And after about halfway through the season, I’m in wardrobe, black fingernails, and dog collar and all the stuff on, and I went backstage andcame face to face with his son, who was not in wardrobe, butlooked just like me, and we had this very awkward moment of like,‘Oh, I’m your dad’s way of kind of dealing with you, sorry.’
What The Inspiration Behind Mark’s Goth Phase Means
A Writer’s Son Inspired Mark’s Most Drastic Shift
For much ofHome Improvement’s early seasons, Mark was portrayed as the dorky youngest sibling, often the target of pranks and teasing from his older brothers, Brad and Randy. However,the dynamic no longer worked as he grew older and became taller than his brothers. This shift, marked by the writer’s own life, saw Mark adopting an anti-establishment attitude, dressing in dark clothing and sometimes black lipstick. By the final season, his goth persona had faded, and he returned to his usual self—perhaps as the writer came to terms with his son.
What Happened To Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Jonathan Taylor Thomas was one of the biggest teen stars of the ’90s thanks to Home Improvement, but he’s mostly been out of the limelight since then.
As for thefuture ofHome Improvement, Allen has expressed interest in a reunion, even suggesting a spinoff about “the kids' kids.” When it comes to Taran Noah Smith, bringing back the full cast might be a challenge. The actor, who was just 7 when the show began and 16 when it ended,left Hollywood after the series wrapped. Instead, he pursued various ventures, including running a vegan restaurant, doing humanitarian work in the Philippines, and teaching people how to pilot submarines with the Community Submersibles Project.
Our Take On Mark’s Goth Phase
A Relatable Look At Growing Pains
Mark’s goth phase may have felt abrupt at the time, but knowing it was inspired by the head writer’s own son makes it a hilariously awkward example of real-life shaping a TV show. WhileHome Improvementwas known for its lightheartedness, Mark’s transformation allowed the sitcom to explore teenage angst in a way that might’ve helped families face the changing dynamics of their own household. And with nostalgia-driven reboots thriving, the idea of revisiting the Taylor family isn’t entirely out of the question.
Home Improvement
Cast
Home Improvement is a television sitcom that follows the life of Tim Taylor, a handyman and TV show host. Set in 1991, the show explores Tim’s experiences raising three sons with his supportive co-host, assertive wife, and enigmatic neighbor.
