Ty Pennington is famous for being the handsome carpenter on *Trading Spaces*, the DIY show that inspired fans everywhere to try designing their own spaces.
After 20 years on TV, some fans are now suggesting that Ty should get a makeover himself.
Ty Pennington Hits Back with a Stunning Response After Body-Shaming Comments!
Ty Pennington is famous for being the handsome carpenter on *Trading Spaces*, the DIY show that inspired fans everywhere to try designing their own spaces.
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After 20 years on TV, some fans are now suggesting that Ty should get a makeover himself.
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Born Gary Tygert Burton, Pennington, now 58, is known for his playful side. He loves sharing funny videos of his dance moves on Instagram, often with his new wife laughing in the background.
Pennington is a natural entertainer. He used to be a model for J-Crew and initially wanted to be a graphic designer, working in construction to support himself while he was in art school.
After a serious car accident at 27 ended his modeling career, he decided to switch to carpentry.
“I thought my career was taking off, but then I had a terrible car accident,” Pennington says. “I put away my modeling headshot, grabbed my tool bag, and went back to construction. Nine years later, I got a call to audition for *Trading Spaces*… and the rest is history.”
Pennington first got noticed in Hollywood as a set designer for the 1995 film *Leaving Las Vegas*, starring Nicolas Cage. But it was his role as a builder on *Trading Spaces*—a show that changed how people think about home renovations—that made him famous.
After *Trading Spaces*, Pennington hosted *Extreme Makeover: Home Edition* from 2003 to 2012, winning two Primetime Emmy Awards for the show.
When Jesse Tyler Ferguson from *Modern Family* took over hosting in the show’s 11th season and for part of the 2020 revival, Pennington admitted on Instagram that it was tough for him. He felt his ego took a hit and started doubting himself. But he acknowledged that the job was never just about him and still considered it one of his best experiences.
Pennington didn’t let this setback stop him. He returned to *Trading Spaces* for its revival from 2018 to 2019.
Now, he’s a mentor and design expert on HGTV’s *Battle on the Beach*, which is in its third season, and he hosts *Rock the Block*, now in its fourth season.
Pennington has written two books: *Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories* and *Ty’s Tricks: Home Repair Secrets Plus Cheap and Easy Projects to Transform Any Room.*
He is also open about having ADHD and works to raise awareness about it.
In 2007, when he was 41, he was charged with a DUI. He was put on three years of probation and had to complete a 90-day alcohol program.
“Drinking and driving is never okay. I’ve admitted my mistake and will follow the court’s decision. I hope this experience helps others as much as it has helped me,” he said.
In November 2021, the popular builder married Kellee Merrell, a social media manager from Vancouver, who enjoys his daily funny posts.
Last year, after he posted a funny video of himself on the beach with his shorts hiked up, some fans criticized his now bigger stomach compared to his old six-pack abs. He responded with, “…by the way, I’m pushing my stomach out, but okay…”
The *Extreme Makeover: Home Edition* star, who still looks great, has faced negative comments about his age and appearance.
In a long Instagram post titled “Thoughts on Aging,” Pennington responded to the criticism he received. He reminded people to be kind to both men and women.
He wrote: “What started as a funny moment to make my wife laugh ended up being torn apart by strangers. With lots of views comes a lot of hate! Comments like ‘disgusting,’ ‘gross,’ ‘oh, he’s so old now,’ and ‘he’s gotten fat’ made me wonder if I’d get the same comments if I was still young and fit. There’s a strong movement to accept all body types and aging for women, which is fantastic, but maybe we should offer the same kindness to men?”
Pennington, known for *Trading Spaces*, mentioned that he was much younger when he first appeared on TV.
He said, “I often get comments like ‘What happened to him???’ Someone even said it’s due to ‘lack of exercise,’ which isn’t true. I work out harder than ever—seven days a week (being over 50 is no joke). What happened is that it’s been 22 YEARS since I first appeared on TV! No, I don’t have a six-pack or the same hairstyle, but I have gained wisdom, empathy, and life lessons. At 57, I’ve never been happier! I’m human and I have feelings. Yes, I’m older, but I think it’s pretty cool.”
We think Ty Pennington is still hot and we love watching his silly Instagram videos. What is your favorite show with Pennington? And did you catch the DIY bug after watching Trading Spaces?
CATHERINE ZETA-JONES AND MICHAEL DOUGLAS CELEBRATE 23RD ANNIVERSARY WITH HEART-MELTING WISHES
When Michael Douglas, then 54, caught sight of Catherine Zeta-Jones portraying Elena Montero in 1998’s “The Mask of Zorro,” he was instantly captivated.
In that same year, both Oscar-winning actors found themselves at the Deauville Film Festival, with Zeta-Jones promoting the film alongside Antonio Banderas, and Douglas attending for his movie, “A Perfect Murder.”
Following his instincts, Douglas had his publicist arrange a meeting.
However, things didn’t quite go as planned.
“I met her in the bar and was a complete gentleman,” shared the star of “Fatal Attraction” with People magazine. He recounted inviting her back to his room for a nightcap.
Later that evening, when the now 54-year-old star of “Ocean’s Twelve” joined him, he fumbled by saying, “You know, I’m going to be the father of your children.”
Douglas remembers her response: “You know I’ve heard a lot about you, and I’ve seen a lot about you, and I think it’s time that I say goodnight.”
Meanwhile, Zeta-Jones, whose breakout role was in “The Mask of Zorro,” believed the encounter with her future husband was purely work-related.
“I was going to a film festival. I thought Michael Douglas wanted to meet me for work because I knew he was a producer as well as an actor. I genuinely thought that because I was in work mode and I was going to a film festival, and that’s where film deals are made,” explained Zeta-Jones.
“So I never thought, ‘Oh my God, he wants to date me.’ And within hours of meeting me, he told me he wanted to father my children. So I presumed this was not for a job.”
But Douglas was undeterred. Knowing he would soon be filming “Entrapment” in Scotland, he arranged for roses to be delivered to her room upon her arrival.
In a 2019 interview with Access, Zeta-Jones joked, “You know what the worst thing is? He was right.”
Despite their initial hiccups, the couple, who share the same birthday with a 25-year age gap, have faced challenges. In 2013, they briefly separated, reportedly due to stress. However, they reconciled after a year apart.
In 2010, Douglas battled throat cancer, while Zeta-Jones grappled with bipolar disorder. But through it all, their love endured.
Recently, on their 23rd wedding anniversary, the couple, now grandparents, expressed their enduring love for each other. Sharing photos from their wedding and beyond, Zeta-Jones wrote, “Today we celebrate 23 years of marriage. Darling Michael, your Nobel Peace Prize awaits, I love you… from your darling wife, a gold star Medal of Honor recipient.”
Douglas also took to Instagram to share his sentiments, writing, “Happy 23 and Me, my darling @catherinezetajones. Can’t wait for 24! Happy Anniversary.”
“One netizen expresses, ‘I’ve always admired you both, which has fueled my love for all things classic… Happy Wedding Anniversary, my all-time favorite couple.’
Another shares, ‘The most charming and perfect couple!!! Congratulations!!’ While a third adds, ‘Remarkable! You’ve got to be one of the best couples in Hollywood for sure. I admire both of your work! Thank you for so many years of fantastic entertainment.’”
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