Authority control databases
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Taran Noah Smith | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Taran Smith |
| Education | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1991–1999 |
| Known for | Mark Taylor in Home Improvement |
| Spouse |
Heidi van Pelt
(m. 2001; div. 2007) |
| Awards | Young Artist Award Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor Under Ten 1992 Home Improvement Young Artist Award Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Television Series 1994 Home Improvement |
Taran Noah Smith is an American businessman and former actor. He performed the role of Mark Taylor on the sitcom Home Improvement, for which he won two Young Artist Awards in 1992 and 1994.[1]
At 18, he gained control of his $1.5 million trust fund, which he accused his parents of squandering by purchasing themselves a mansion.[2][3] His mother, Candy Bennici, stated in 2015, "Of course we didn't touch his money... It was in a trust fund. We couldn't have touched it if we wanted to. They were trying to get it when he was 17, and we were trying to protect it. Luckily the Marin courts were very good about it and didn't give it to them".[4] He later said, "I'd gotten out of the teenage phase and realized my parents weren't doing anything wrong but were trying to protect me."[4]
In 2001, Smith was quoted as saying, "I started Home Improvement when I was seven, 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."[5] At the age of 17, Smith married Heidi van Pelt on April 27, 2001. The marriage sparked much controversy due to the couple's age difference, as van Pelt was 16 years older. The couple filed for divorce on February 2, 2007.[6]
In 2005, Smith and his then-wife formed a California-based non-dairy cheese manufacturer and restaurant, Playfood, specializing in vegan and organic foods.[4] In 2014, he volunteered doing disaster relief with Communitere in the Philippines.[4][7]
Smith is also the Technical Manager for the Community Submersibles Project, where he teaches people how to pilot submarines.[8]
Starting July 2022, Smith joined SpaceX as an integration technician.[9]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991–1999 | Home Improvement | Mark Taylor | 201 episodes
Credited as Taran Smith in season 8 |
| 1995 | Ebbie | Tiny Tim | Television film |
| 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 | The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1992 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '92 | |
| 1993 | The 19th Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1994 | The 20th Annual People's Choice Awards | |
| 1995 | The 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 | The 7th Annual TV Land Awards |
