On Home Improvement, Randy Taylor' is best known as a mischievous guy with a very smart mouth. He's at his funniest cutting his family down with his sharp tongue or getting into hot water with some crazy scheme. Jonathan, the adorable actor who plays him, however, isn't much of a troublemaker in real life. THis 16-years old actor would much rather spend his energies productively. When he's not working on the set of his hit TV series or out on location filming a new movie, he can usually be found reading a magazine, playing sports or planning for his next camping trip in the mountains.
"I've never been the one that has fun doing wild and outlandish things' "he says. I've never wanted or needed to go that. I've always been comfortable in my own skin and have never ever done through any radical period of self discovery."
Jonathan believes that actors are often misunderstood. Despite frequent misconseptions, actors don't need to walk on the wild side of life to be creative, he says. Personally, Jonathan would rather save the nutty antics for the characters he plays and live his life in a much more sane and fulfilling way.
"You don't have to be a pain-torched person to be an ACTOR," he says. "A lot of people, I think, are confused about that, that in order to be taken seriously you have to be some soft of tortured person on Prozac or something. I don't think that is the case."
Jonathan is a perfect example of someone who's creative and succesful, but also totally happy in his private life. Over the years he's made the transformation from small star through a regimen of professionalism, hard work and common sense. When the work is done Jonathan turns to the great outdoors for fun.
"I've never needed to do outlandish stuff to relax," he says. "I enjoy being outside. It's much more peaceful."
After his promotional blitz of eight cities to promote his movie Wild America his summer, Jonathan's well-deserved vacation combined all the things he loves.
"I spent two weeks up in the Sierras," he relates. "I had a great time. I was out there on the rivers and lakes and I went boating."
Naturally, this avid fly fisherman took along his favorite rod and reel.
"It was really fun," he says.
Jonathan does have one good-natured complain though.
"Fly fishing is forever getting more and more popular," he says. " I hope it doesn't continue because there are too many guys out there!" He laughs and suggestd "they should start crocheting or knitting or something instead !!!"
Jonathan doesn't have a steady girlfriend right now, he admits that he'd love to meet someone who shares his enthusiasm for the outdoos. He's already got an ultra romantic plan he'd like to surprise some lucky GIRL with on Valentine's Day.
"I think dinner in neat place is Kool, " he says. "Like place you don't expect. Like in a meadow or on a cliff overscenic place." Clearly, Jonathan's romantic at heart !!!
When Jonathan does need a dose of fantasy or adventure in his life, he does exactly what the rest of us do_-_ he heads for the local cineplex ! One of his favorite recent films was the hip horror flick Scream starring Party Of Five's Neve Campbell.
"I'm not a huge scary movie buff, but my friend forced me to go see the movie and I've never had as much fun. It was just so desperately trying to figure it out !'
Asked if he'd like to star in a horror film himself one day, Jonathat says SURE...
Jonathan likes to keep personal life mellow, he'd love the chance to star in something really exciting and creepy. What role would he play ???
"I'd be the good guy," he says. "I'd be the guy who saves the day !"
Of course, suce heroism is just what we'd expect from this very sensible and not at WILD and CRAZY guy !!!