At the height of his fame, a beloved teen heartthrob made a shocking decision to step away from the Hollywood spotlight, leaving countless young fans yearning for more.
This former star of a popular 90s sitcom, who recently celebrated his 43rd birthday, was last seen in 2023, prompting nostalgia and disbelief among those who once had a crush on him.
So, what happened to the enigmatic actor known for voicing a classic Disney character in a beloved animated film? Dive in to uncover the story behind this mysterious figure!
He first caught the spotlight as Greg Brady’s son on the 1990 TV series The Bradys, a spinoff of The Brady Bunch. However, his true breakthrough arrived shortly after when he secured a role in a popular sitcom alongside a famous comedian, propelling him to stardom.
Only 10 years old when the show premiered in 1991, Thomas grew up on-screen as Randy, the middle child, during the show’s eight-year run. His charm and charisma propelled him to teen idol status, winning the hearts of millions.
Reflecting on his fame, Thomas told The New York Times, “You’re part of their lives, and there’s a lot owed to them. But it’s hard because you want to make everyone happy, and if you try, you set yourself up for failure.”
In 1994, at the age of 12, Thomas voiced the character Simba in Disney’s The Lion King, a role that resonated deeply with fans worldwide.
“Simba’s a lot like me,” Thomas once shared, explaining how he used his natural energy to bring the character to life. “Curious, fun-loving, always getting into mischief.”
Juggling his time between The Lion King and Home Improvement, Thomas spent two intense years moving back and forth between the two productions. “I had to remind myself, ‘Oops! Time to be Randy,’ then, ‘Oops! Time to be Simba,’” he told People in 1994. “You have to prepare yourself to become a totally different person. I mean, we’re not lions, right?”
By 1998, after leaving Home Improvement before its final season, Thomas began to step out of the limelight. “I’ve done so many shows with full-blown migraines,” he said. “I’d been going nonstop since I was 8. I wanted to take a break, go to school, and travel.”
Over the next few years, Thomas made guest appearances on shows like Ally McBeal, Smallville, and 8 Simple Rules, and lent his voice to animated series such as The Wild Thornberrys and The Simpsons.
Before his exit from Hollywood, Thomas challenged himself with more mature roles, including playing a bisexual hustler in the indie film Speedway Junky (1999) and a persecuted gay teen in Showtime’s Common Ground (2000). These roles, coupled with his private nature, sparked rumors about his sexuality, which he addressed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
“In Hollywood, you’re not really anyone until there’s a rumor you’re gay,” he said. “It didn’t bother me, but they’re just rumors. Be careful with that internet stuff.” He later told The Advocate that the rumors started on a site called CyberSleaze and were entirely false. “It was a blatant lie that snowballed, and people accepted it without question,” he said.
In the early 2000s, Thomas shocked fans by stepping away from Hollywood to pursue higher education. After graduating from New York’s Chaminade College Preparatory School in 2000, he attended Harvard University, where he studied philosophy and history, before later graduating from Columbia University in 2010.
“I never took fame too seriously,” Thomas said of his Hollywood career. “It was a great time in my life, but it doesn’t define me.” He admitted that walking through libraries and attending classes was a refreshing and novel experience for him.
Although he left Hollywood behind, Thomas reunited with Tim Allen for several guest appearances on Last Man Standing between 2013 and 2015, even directing a few episodes of the series.
In 2023, fans were once again buzzing after spotting Thomas walking his dogs in public. Dressed casually in a beige sweater, jeans, and a black toque, his appearance stirred nostalgic feelings among fans.
“JTT, my elementary school crush,” one fan gushed, while another reflected, “He was my childhood crush, and I’m glad he avoided the weirdness of Hollywood.”
A third fan added, “He was a child star and a teen heartthrob. Hollywood doesn’t treat child actors well, so who knows what he went through.”
Another fan, referencing his famous bowl cut from Home Improvement, quipped, “Of course, he looks different! Not many 42-year-olds are walking around with bowl haircuts. He brought joy to so many with his early career.”
Despite his rare public appearances, Jonathan Taylor Thomas remains a cherished figure from the 90s, remembered fondly for his work in Home Improvement and The Lion King, and for his decision to walk away from fame on his own terms.
Mick Jagger and Bianca’s Divorce in 1978: A look back after 46 years
Mick Jagger is famously known for his romantic escapades, but during the 1970s, his marriage to his first wife, Bianca, captured significant attention. Curious about what Bianca is up to these days?
The Rolling Stones, established in 1962, have become an iconic presence in rock music. At 80, Mick Jagger remains a legendary figure, further cemented by being knighted by Queen Elizabeth II two decades ago.
Co-founding the band alongside Brian Jones, Charlie Watts, and Keith Richards, Jagger has seen many changes over the years. With Watts passing away in 2021 and Jones no longer with the band, the current lineup includes Jagger, Richards, and bassist Ronnie Wood, 76. They continue to tour and recently released “Hackney Diamonds”, their first album of new material in 18 years, featuring collaborations with stars like Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, and Lady Gaga.
Over the past six decades, Jagger’s fame has kept his personal life in the limelight, especially with his eight children. His eldest daughter, Karis, was born in 1969, and his youngest, Deveraux, was born in December 2016.
Mick married Bianca Pérez-Mora Macías in 1971 in a star-studded ceremony in Saint-Tropez. They welcomed their daughter, Jade, who is now 52 and known for her work in interior and jewelry design. Bianca became a socialite and was often in the news, notably for a legendary story about arriving at her birthday party on a white horse at Studio 54. She later clarified that it was a surprise orchestrated by Steve Rubell, co-founder of the club, inspired by a photo of her on a horse in Nicaragua.
While both Jagger and Bianca had affairs during their marriage, it ultimately led to their separation. Bianca filed for divorce after Mick briefly dated model Jerry Hall. Their divorce was finalized in 1978, with Bianca receiving a settlement of $1.2 million, as reported by New York Magazine. Reflecting on the split, she expressed to The Guardian that it felt like a failure, stating: “I was brought up Catholic, to believe that marriage is for life. And we failed”.
After her marriage ended, Bianca shifted her focus from partying to activism, championing the rights of vulnerable individuals through Amnesty International. Her efforts earned her the Right Livelihood Award, often referred to as the “alternative Nobel Prize”, in 2004 for using her fame to advocate for those in need.
Today, Mick Jagger is in a committed relationship with American choreographer Melanie Hamrick, 36. They have been together for a decade and share a son. Are you aware of Bianca Jagger’s remarkable humanitarian efforts? Share your thoughts in the comments! Feel free to pass this article along to anyone interested in where these rock legends are now!
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