Introduction
Taran Noah Smith (born April 8, 1984) is an American former actor widely known for his role as Marcus "Mark" Jason Taylor, the youngest son on the sitcom Home Improvement.
Personal life
At 18, he gained control of his $1.5 million trust fund, which he accused his parents of squandering by purchasing themselves a mansion.
In 2001, Smith was quoted as saying, "I started Home Improvement when I was 7, and the show ended when I was 16. I never had the chance to decide what I wanted to do with my life. When I was 16, I knew that I didn't want to act anymore."
At seventeen years old, he married Heidi van Pelt on April 27, 2001. The marriage sparked much controversy due to the couple's age difference - Van Pelt was sixteen years Smith's senior. The couple filed for divorce on February 2, 2007.
In 2005, Smith and his then-wife formed a California-based non-dairy cheese manufacturer and restaurant, Playfood, specializing in vegan and organic foods.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ABC TGIF | Mark | TV series |
| 1991-1999 | Home Improvement | Mark Taylor | 201 episodes |
| 1995 | Ebbie | Tiny Tim | TV movie |
| 1997 | Little Bigfoot 2: The Journey Home | Brian Ferris | |
| 1997 | 7th Heaven | Peter McKinley | Episode: "See You in September" |
| 1999 | Batman Beyond | Patrick Poundstone / Rat Boy (voice) | Episode: "Rats" |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 18th Annual People's Choice Awards, TheThe 18th Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1992 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '92 | |
| 1993 | 19th Annual People's Choice Awards, TheThe 19th Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1994 | 20th Annual People's Choice Awards, TheThe 20th Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1995 | 21st Annual People's Choice Awards, TheThe 21st Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1995 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '95 | |
| 1997-1998 | Figure It Out | TV series |
| 1999 | Home Improvement: Backstage Pass | |
| 2002 | TVography: Home Improvement - A Half Hour of Power | |
| 2005 | 20/20 | Episode: "29 April 2005" |
| 2005 | E! True Hollywood Story | Episode: "Home Improvement" |
| 2006 | Child Star Confidential | Episode: "The Kid's Table" |
| 2009 | 7th Annual TV Land Awards, TheThe 7th Annual TV Land Awards |
Awards
Nominations
- 1993, Young Artist Award, Home Improvement, Outstanding Actor Under Ten in a Television Series
- 1999, Young Artist Award, Home Improvement, Best Performance in a TV Drama or Comedy Series – Leading Young Actor
Won
- 1992, Young Artist Award, Home Improvement, Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor Under Ten
- 1994, Young Artist Award, Home Improvement, Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series (shared with Zachery Ty Bryan and Jonathan Taylor Thomas)