Although this is twelve-year-old Taran Noah Smith 's first television series, he is comfortable in front of the cameras, loves acting, and enjoys the live audience. He can be considered a veteran performer inasmuch as he completed his first professional assignment in a print-advertising campaign at the age of six months.
Taran has appeared in commercials -- nationally for a major car-rental concern and locally for a department store. He has been featured on the front cover of over one million copies of the Crayola Kids magazine and recognized for his athletic ability in Sports Illustrated for Kids. He has also appeared on such television shows as "Live: With Regis & Kathie Lee," "Entertainment Tonight" and "FX," and has been seen on shows such as "Front Runner," "Gladiators 2000" and Australia's "Talk to the Animals."
During his recent production hiatus from "Home Improvement," Taran starred in the family film, "Little Bigfoot, The Journey Home." Last year he completed a television movie, the 1990s version of "A Christmas Carol" with Susan Lucci, where he portrayed Tiny Tim. He is currently working on a series of educational videos with Alan Thicke, entitled "Feeling Scared, Acting Brave," designed to help children overcome their fears.
In addition to his acting, Taran does support work for a number of charitable organizations. He eagerly volunteers to help the National MS Society; has served as the honorary chairperson of the Orange County, California, MS Readathon; participated in the "Star Kids Challenge," benefiting the Make-a- Wish Foundation; and Hollywood for Children, benefiting the Audrey Hepburn Foundation. Taran is also a RAAADD Kid (Recording Artist & Actors Against Drunk Driving) and supports the DARE program for school children.
As spokesperson for the national Kids 'R'Us coat drive for needy children and the Salvation Army, Taran made the first donation of two of his coats and worked to encourage the community to donate coats for needy children.
Taran has a tremendous concern for the plight of dolphins and whales. He supports Earthtrust to help call attention to renewed whaling activities. He has joined their adopt-a-dolphin program and has been featured in their newsletter.
When he's not acting, Taran loves piloting the family's home-built experimental airplane, riding his motorcycle and mountain bike, inline skating and sailing. He attends a special school program for gifted children and shows a great aptitude in advanced math and is working at a ninth-grade level.