Have you ever wondered who the man behind the hammer on the popular home improvement show, “Ask This Old House”, is? Well, his name is Kevin O’Connor, and he’s become a household name in the world of home renovation and DIY projects. Kevin’s journey to becoming a television host, author, podcast host and entrepreneur is nothing short of inspiring. Let’s take a closer look at the rise of Kevin O’Connor from “Ask This Old House”.
His early years, education and family background
Kevin O’Connor was born on the 1st January, 1968, in New Jersey, USA. He has six siblings: four brothers and two sisters with whom he shares a close bond. He had a relatively normal childhood in Maplewood, New Jersey where he pursued a number of hobbies. He matriculated from Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, New Jersey in 1986, before attending the College of the Holy Cross from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1990. He went on to attend Boston University, and achieved his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 1999.
Beginnings in Home Improvement
O’Connor and his siblings grew up in a family of contractors and builders; his father was a civil engineer while his grandfather worked in the construction industry. His exposure to building construction from a young age instilled in him a lifelong passion and appreciation for the industry. He would usually help his father and grandfather build and renovate homes, equipping him with skills that would later come in handy. Soon after his college graduation, Kevin began renovation and flipping homes with a close friend. He enjoyed it so much so that he eventually opened a construction company, running it for several years before returning to university.
Careers
Banker
Despite being well known as a television personality, Kevin started his career as a banker. After receiving his Master’s degree, he began working for Fleet Bank as the Vice President of the Sports Finance Group for a few years. He then worked as the Senior Vice President for the Commercial Real Estate Group at Bank of America until 2003.
WHERE CAN I STREAM THE SHOW? It’s a question I get all the time. And the short answer is, lots of places. New episodes, old episodes, past seasons. The long answer? Well, have a listen. pic.twitter.com/DxRm5MR5C2
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorTOH) April 19, 2020
Television Host
In 2003, Kevin’s career took a major turn when he was hired to be the host of “Ask This Old House”. The show— which is a spin-off from the popular PBS series, “This Old House”— features homeowners who need help with various home renovation projects. Kevin and his team of experts provide them with advice and guidance on how to complete the projects themselves. Kevin quickly became a fan favorite, and his knowledge and expertise in the world of home improvement were evident. He has since become a regular contributor to “This Old House”, and has also appeared in several other home renovation shows, including “Hometime” and “Renovation Nation”. Both shows have won Emmy Awards and were nominated countless times over the years. Since hosting the longest running home improvement show in television history, he has also hosted TV shows for the DIY and History’s H2 networks.
Podcast Host
Kevin also hosts a popular podcast called, “Clearstory”, which features interviews with architects, designers, and other experts in the home renovation industry. Kevin’s knowledge and passion for the industry make him the perfect host. According to Listen Notes, the podcast is meant to help homeowners understand their properties from a new perspective. During each episode, O’Connor and his guests discuss everything there is about every kind of structure, from water and its uses for building and maintaining homes, to modern plumbing and its impact on human health, to the many uses for construction waste, O’Connor covers it all. His podcast is one of the most popular ones, ranking in the top 0.5% of most streamed shows. According to reviews on Apple Podcasts, the show received a rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars, indicating that the fans love it. Some of the most recurring reviews praise Kevin and his podcast for being practical, informative and humorous to its listeners.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=984155138588120
Author
Kevin has also written several books on home renovation and DIY projects. His first book, “The Best Homes from This Old House”, was published in 2011. Since then, he has written several other books, including “The Complete Guide to Kitchens” and “The Complete Guide to Bathrooms.”. He now holds a position in the editorial team of “This Old House Magazine”, currently published by This Old House Ventures, Inc.
Entrepreneur
In addition to his work on television, Kevin is also an entrepreneur. He co-founded and is the CEO of the web-based tool rental company, This Old Tool Box. The company allows homeowners and DIY enthusiasts to rent tools for their home renovation projects, making it easier and more affordable to complete them.
Some fast facts
- Quite interestingly, his most popular role as a television host literally came out of nowhere. At the time, Kevin and his wife were renovating their home and after years of working on it, decided to ask for some help. The team appeared at their home and filmed an entire episode in which Jim Clark, the painter helped them remove dilapidated wallpapers.
- Three months after filming the episode, the producers of “This Old House” approached Kevin with an offer to become o new host. He replaced the previous host, Steve Thomas and has been the host to date.
- Aside from his impressive careers, he is an accomplished sailor and enjoys spending time on the water. He has even participated in the Newport to Bermuda race and the Marblehead to Halifax race.
- He is also an active member of his community. He serves on the board of directors for the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center and is involved in several other local organizations.
- Additionally, he is an advocate for sustainable living and has worked with several organizations to promote environmentally friendly practices.
- Another interesting fact about Kevin is that he is a fan of the band Phish. He has attended several of their concerts over the years and even had the opportunity to interview the band on an episode of “Ask This Old House”.
His recent activities
Kevin O’Connor has been busy in recent years, both with his work on television and his entrepreneurial ventures. He continues to host both hit shows, as well as his podcast, Clearstory. In addition, he has been working on a new project with “This Old House” called “Start to Finish.”. This is a digital series that follows the renovation of a 19th-century farmhouse in Connecticut. Kevin and his team take viewers through every step of the renovation process, from the initial planning stages to the finishing touches. The series has been well-received by fans of the show and has been praised for its detailed and informative approach. In addition to his work in television, Kevin is also working on his company, which has seen significant growth in recent years. He is focused on expanding its reach and offering more tools and services to customers.
Where can you find Kevin O’Connor?
If you’re a fan of Kevin O’Connor and want to keep up with his latest projects and activities, there are several places where you can find him. First and foremost, you can tune into “This Old House” and “Ask This Old House” to see him in action. Both shows air on PBS and are also available to stream online. The popular host can also be found online, where he maintains an active presence on social media sites. While his accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram each have a significant following, TikTok is his most popular platform. Kevin has had a number of his videos go viral, with overa1 million views. One such video showcases a unique pair of pants that can prevent a chainsaw from cutting into your legs. Yikes!
His video content ranges from home remodeling tips to his o’bies and rare glimpses into his personal life. Quite unusually, the TV Personality does not post much about his family and personal life. Although they appear once in a while on his pages, most of their details are kept out of the limelight. Kevin lives with his wife and their children in a Queen Anne Victorian house in Hamilton, Massachusetts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgebN__Lh7h/
What is his Net worth and salary?
Much of Kevin’s wealth comes from his work on television, as well as his entrepreneurial ventures. He also earns money from book sales and speaking engagements as well as brand endorsements through his social media pages. As for his salary, the exact amount is not publicly known. According to authoritative sources, the man behind the hammer is estimated to be worth an impressive $5 million.
