Biography

Ty is most famous for hosting Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which aired on ABC from 2003 to 2012. He is an Atlanta, Georgia native, born on October 19, 1964. Ty is the second son in his family. He was primarily raised by his single mother Yvonne Burton, who worked as a school psychologist. Yvonne and Ty's father split up when Ty and his older brother Wynn were still very young boys, the exact age unknown, they were still very young when it happened. His mother raised the two boys as a single mother for several years before meeting her now husband and getting remarried. Her new husband loved the boys and decided to adopt both of them, and even giving them his last name, which was Pennington. Ty is also has partial Cherokee descent. 

After graduating from attending Sprayberry High School in Marietta, Georgia. He attended Kennesaw State University, The Art Institute of Atlanta and Atlanta College of Art.  Originally in Ty's youth, he began teaching himself carpentry and home improvement. Mainly as a side job and a way to earn extra money. To earn enough to put himself through college, he began taking night classes and working during the day. His first few jobs were doing landscaping, and then moving on into construction side jobs. Although he had many skills in carpentry and home improvement, Ty really wasn't interested in doing those professionally full time. His interests and passions seemed to lie in becoming an artist and specializing in graphic design work. 

In 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from Savannah College of Art & Design. He is the author of two books on home repair and design, and publishes a quarterly magazine on design called Ty Pennington at Home. Ty is currently a manufacturer of furniture for the Howard Miller Company and host of another television show on The Food Network called American Diner Revival.

Ty also shared with the public about his battles with ADHD, which he was diagnosed with in 1992. He discussed this issue with Glenn Beck during his show. Ty has partnered with multiple companies to raise awareness for ADHD such as the company Shire Plc, his promotion helps to raise awareness of ADHD in adults, and the use of Vyvanse which helps treat adult ADHD. Although his heart and mind were in the right place, he was criticized in the media for helping to promote the use of ADHD medications such as Adderall without disclosing to the public that he was sponsored by the company that produces it. 

Modeling Career

Pennington was recruited by a modeling agency during his last semester of college and became an overnight success. He excelled at both print media and TV modeling. His most notable assignments included Swatch, Sprite, Levi’s, Diet Coke, Macy’s and Bayer.