After two decades of being on television, fans are now recommending that the DIY TV star should have a makeover for himself.
Gary Tygert Burton, who goes by Pennington, is 58 years old and a total goofball. He loves to make people laugh on Instagram by sharing funny videos of his crazy dance moves. You can often hear his new wife laughing in the background while he shows off his not-so-great dancing skills.
Pennington, who likes to call himself a jack-of-all-trades, is really good at entertaining people. He used to be a model and was the face of J-Crew. He thought about becoming a graphic designer and worked in construction to make money while he was studying art.
When he was 27, he got into a really bad car accident that almost took his life and ended his modeling career. He saw this as a sign to change paths and start working in carpentry instead.
“It felt like my career took off overnight, but then life threw me a curveball. Just a week later, I was in a terrible car crash,” Pennington shares. “I put up my best headshot, grabbed my reliable tool bag, and returned to working in construction and carpentry. Nine years later, I received a call to try out for Trading Spaces… and that changed everything.”
Pennington first made his way into Hollywood by working as a set designer for the 1995 movie Leaving Las Vegas, which featured Nicholas Cage. However, it was his job as a builder on the show Trading Spaces, which changed the way people thought about home renovations, that really made him famous.
After leaving Trading Spaces, Pennington became the host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition from 2003 to 2012, and during that time, he won two Primetime Emmy Awards.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, known for his role in Modern Family, took over as the host for the 11th season of the show and also for 10 episodes during its comeback in 2020. Pennington shared on Instagram, “I won’t lie, it really hurt my pride. It was tough to handle and made me super confused. I started questioning my skills, my background, and my confidence. But this job was never just about me! … Truly, it has been and will always be one of the greatest experiences of my life.”
Pennington’s career didn’t stop there; he picked himself up, put on his boots, and came back for two more seasons of the Trading Spaces revival from 2018 to 2019.
Right now, Pennington is a mentor and design expert on HGTV’s Battle on the Beach, which is in its third season, and he also hosts the show Rock the Block, now in its fourth season.
He wrote two books called “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.”
Pennington talks openly about having ADHD and works hard to raise awareness about this condition that impacts how people behave.
In 2007, at the age of 41, he got into trouble for a DUI and was sentenced to three years of probation, plus he had to complete a 90-day alcohol treatment program.
“Drinking and driving is never acceptable. I have pleaded no contest and will abide by the court’s ruling. I hope this experience can help others as much as it has helped me,” he said in a statement.
In November 2021, the charming builder married Kellee Merrell, a Vancouver social media manager, whom he frequently entertains with his daily antics.
Last year, after posting a hilarious video of him on the beach, his shorts spiked up to his stomach, some fans took the opportunity to slam the seemingly large keg that’s replaced his once sculpted six pack, to which he said, “…btw I’m pushing my stomach out but ok…”
The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition alum, who’s still a gorgeous man, was struck by disparaging comments on his age and appearance.
In a lengthy Instagram post, titled “Thoughts on aging,” Pennington addressed the criticisms, reminding people to practice social graces toward both men and women.
He wrote: “What was an honest moment of just trying to make my wife laugh, was then picked apart by strangers- with a lot of views, comes a lot of hate! Comments like “disgusting,” “gross,” “omg he’s so old now,” “grandpa,” “he got fat…And I wondered, if I was still young and fit, would I be getting the same comments?” He continued, “There has been such a force behind accepting all shapes and sizes and aging in the female community which is AWESOME (keep it coming) but maybe let’s give that same grace to men?”
Pennington, a fan favorite on TLC’s Trading Spaces, pointed out that he was decades younger when he first appeared on television.
“On a daily basis Im inundated with comments like ‘NOOOo what happened to him???!!!’ Someone even commented the other day, ‘lack of exercise’ which I wish was the truth! I have NEVER worked out harder in my life-7 days a week (this over 50 sh*t is no joke ). “What happened” is, it’s been 22 YEARS since I made my television debut! “ he wrote. “No, I don’t have a six pack anymore or a luscious head of hair (with frosted tips ) but what I do have is wisdom, empathy, life lessons and at 57 years old, I’ve TRULY never been happier! Anyways, all this to say: I’m human and I have feelings. Yes, I am 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?
