Ty Pennington - Biography

Who is Ty Pennington?

Ty Pennington is a TV host, carpenter, author, philanthropist, and actor by profession. The American is well known for hosting TV shows Trading Spaces, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, On the Menu, etc.

Ty Pennington – Age, Parents, Siblings

Ty Pennington’s birth name is Gary Tyler Burton Jr. He was born on October 19, 1964, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. His mother is Yvonne Burton, a school psychologist, and his father is Gary Burton Sr., a musician. He also has an older brother named Wynn. His parents separated when he was just three years old.

They were raised by their single mother for several years before she remarried. Her new husband Nick Pennington, who was the bass player in Ty’s father’s band, adopted both boys. Ty decided to take his step-father’s last name on his own and considers him to be his real father.

Ty Pennington with his older brother (Image: People)

Education, Ethnicity

For education, Ty Pennington attended Sprayberry High School. Following graduation, he went on to study art and history at Kennesaw State University. However, following advice from one of his professors, he transferred to the Art Institute of Atlanta. He graduated from the same with a bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. Pennington got through college by taking night classes and working during the day.

His ethnicity includes Caucasian and Cherokee.

Ty Pennington – Girlfriend, Wife, Children

Ty Pennington is in a long-term relationship with his girlfriend Andrea Bock, a manager. The couple has been together for the past 20 years but separated instead of tying the knot. They did not have any children together.

Pennington began dating Canadian social media manager Kellee Merrell in early 2020. He proposed to her and got engaged to her in July 2021. The couple married on November 20, 2021. He and his soon-to-be wife are yet to start a family/have children of their own.

Ty Pennington, Kellee Merrell (Image: Instagram- posted April 2021)

Ty Pennington – Career

Early Days

Pennington learned woodworking early in life. He taught himself carpentry and home improvement and while in college worked in landscaping before moving into construction. During his final semester, he was approached by a modeling scout and soon began his career as a model. In his years of a modeling career, Ty Pennington worked for brands J.Crew, Swatch, Sprite, Diet Coke, Levi's, Macy's, and Bayer.

Ty Pennington worked as a model (Image: Typennington.com)

On TV

He then went on to work as a set designer in TV shows including Leaving Las Vegas in 1995. Finally, his breakthrough came with TLC’s show Trading Spaces. And in 2003 he was chosen as the leader of the eight-person design team for the show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which was a major hit. He worked on the series for nine seasons, ending in 2011.

Ty Pennington also hosted Ty's Great British Adventure, partnered with Sears, a chain of department stores in America, and Marketplace Events. He has also appeared in the episode(s) of Wow Wow Wubbzy, Take Two With Phineas and Ferb, etc.

Others

Pennington is also a writer. His book Ty's Tricks: Home Repair Secrets Plus Cheap and Easy Projects to Transform Any Room was published in 2003 and Good Design Can Change Your Life: Beautiful Rooms, Inspiring Stories in 2008. Moreover, he has become a spokesperson for Abbott Nutrition, Guaranteed Rate, a residential mortgage company.

Ty Pennington (Image: NOLA)

Ty Pennington – Awards, Nominations

Ty Pennington has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for hosting the reality series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Ty Pennington – Net Worth, Salary

The net worth of Pennington is estimated to be around $12 million while the figure on his annual salary is under review.

Ty Pennington – Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

On social media sites including Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, Ty Pennington is followed by thousands of followers. He also has an official website- typennington.com. He often features his mother, niece, and friends on his social media.