Back in 2000, Ty Pennington stepped into the spotlight as the charismatic carpenter on TLC's Trading Spaces. This fun reality show had neighbors swapping homes for weekend makeovers, and Ty quickly became a fan favorite. After his breakout role on the series, he went on to host several other shows that truly made a difference in people's lives. But life threw him a curveball when he faced a serious health scare in recent years.
What Really Happened to Ty Pennington?
Before Ty became the household name we know today, he was chasing a different dream—modeling. At just 27 years old, he graced the cover of a J. Crew catalog, and it seemed like the world was his oyster. But fate had other plans. In a candid Instagram post from January 2023, Ty opened up about the accident that changed everything.
"Overnight, my career exploded," Ty recalled. "But just one week later, fate had other plans. I was in a terrible car accident—catapulted out of a speeding Jeep and sliding across a razor-sharp road on my backside. Somehow, I survived... though my buttocks, unfortunately, did not." This life-changing incident left him with staples and stitches, but instead of giving up, Ty returned to his roots in construction and carpentry.
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Nine years after that fateful accident, Ty was chosen as a carpenter on Trading Spaces. In 2004, he took on a new challenge as the host of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where he remodeled homes for families in need. Over nine seasons, Ty and his team created miracles, leaving a lasting impact on countless lives. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't realize just how amazing that show was," Ty shared in a March 2023 interview with The List. "It changed all of us who were a part of it."
Where Is Ty Pennington Today?
A lot has happened in Ty's life since Extreme Makeover: Home Edition wrapped up in 2012. In 2018, he returned to TLC for the revival of Trading Spaces, reuniting with several original cast members. He also became an HGTV star, launching his own renovation show, Ty Breaker, in December 2020. Ty's talents haven't stopped there—he's also become a mentor on Battle on the Beach and now serves as the host of Rock the Block.
Is Ty Pennington Married?
Love found Ty Pennington in 2010 while filming a show in Toronto, where he met social media manager Kellee Merrell. They stayed friends for years before realizing they were meant for each other. In July 2021, Ty announced their engagement, and the couple tied the knot in November 2021 at their Savannah, Georgia, home, which was still under renovation at the time.
"I’ve admired Kellee from afar for years," Ty told People ahead of their intimate wedding. "She’s a beautiful person inside and out. Luckily, our paths crossed at the right time. It’s one of those things where you just feel happy being around someone. I never thought I’d get married, but she changed that. I’m so glad I waited for The One."
Inside Ty Pennington’s Health Battle
In July 2023, Ty shared the story of a frightening health scare with his fans. He revealed that he underwent emergency surgery to remove an abscess from the back of his throat. "To shed some light on why I was MIA... Sunday I hit the red carpet for Barbie, Monday I flew to Colorado to start filming in Breckenridge, and Tuesday morning I woke up at 4 a.m. and could barely breathe," he wrote on Instagram. "Turns out, that sore throat I’d been dealing with for a month was actually an abscess that had grown so large it was closing off my airway. Next thing I know, I was intubated and flown to the ICU in Denver."
Fast forward to March 2024, and Ty shared an update on his health journey. "I’m great," he told Entertainment Tonight. "You know what’s great? If you almost die, you get so much attention. It feels so nice to be that loved." Reflecting on the experience, he added, "It made me realize you just don’t know when your timecard’s gonna get pulled, so wake up, live every single day to the fullest."
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