A generation ago, homeowners spotting Ed McMahon on their doorstep became hysterical, knowing that a giant check from Publisher's Clearinghouse wouldn't be far behind. Nowadays the hysteria breaks out over the instantly recognizable, wide-toothed grin of Ty Pennington, who has helped transform the lives of dozens while inspiring millions more as host of the popular ABC series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Under the leadership of the charismatic home design guru, the series is consistently rated among the top 20 of all television programs.  It has won two Emmys for Outstanding Reality Program and two People's Choice Awards.

In 2008, Ty took his talent for mobilizing people to come together for the greater good to Great Britain for Ty’s Great British Adventure, a community-improvement series airing on UKTV.

This fall, the highly anticipated Howard Miller Furnishings by Ty Pennington line will become available to the public.  Pennington designed the casual, yet contemporary pieces to be easily mixed and matched.  In the winter, Pennington will introduce a Holiday addition to his Ty Pennington Style line at Sears.

In May 2007, Pennington launched Ty Pennington At Home, a decorating, remodeling and lifestyle magazine published by Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. Ty Pennington At Home offers Ty’s solutions to the many challenges homeowners face. “I want to help people achieve their decorating and remodeling goals – and have fun while doing it," says Pennington.          

In 2003, Ty wrote and created Ty's Tricks (Hyperion), which became a New York Times Bestseller. The book is part reference, part behind the scenes in Ty's own home, which he completely remodeled himself. Ty’s latest book, How Good Design Can Change Your Life (Simon & Schuster), hit stands last fall.

Pennington won national attention as the quirky and creative carpenter on the groundbreaking home improvement series “Trading Spaces.” Ty continues to develop products for the "Ty Pennington Style" line at Sears and is the ambassador for the Sears American Dream campaign. 

Ask Ty what makes him tick and he'll say "It's about the joy of doing things for others. ‘Extreme Makeover’ is about family, about America and about these random acts of kindness that can restore your faith in people."

See photos of Ty