A generation ago, homeowners spotting Ed McMahon on their doorstep became hysterical, knowing that a giant check from Publisher’s Clearinghouse wouldn’t be far behind. Nowadays the hysteria breaks out over the instantly recognizable, wide-toothed grin of Ty Pennington, who has helped transform the lives of dozens while inspiring millions more as host of the popular series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Under the leadership of the charismatic home design guru, the series is consistently rated in the top 20 of all television programs and has won two Emmys for Outstanding Reality Program as well as two People’s Choice Awards.
In May Pennington launched Ty Pennington at Home, a new decorating, remodeling and lifestyle magazine published by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Ty Pennington at Home offers his solutions to the many challenges today’s homeowners face. “I want to help people achieve their decorating and remodeling goals – and have fun while doing it,” says Pennington.
Pennington won national attention as the quirky and creative carpenter on the groundbreaking home improvement series Trading Spaces. He continues to develop products for “The Ty Pennington Style” line at Sears, and is the ambassador for the Sears American Dream campaign.
In 2003 Pennington wrote and created Ty’s Tricks (Hyperion), which became a New York Times bestseller. The book is part reference, part behind the scenes in his own home, which he completely remodeled himself. He is currently writing another book, Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories, to be released in September by Simon and Schuster.
Ask Pennington what makes him tick and he’ll say, “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.”
