"Home Improvement" star Taran Noah Smith is shedding new light on why the hit 1990s sitcom came to an end.The 42-year-old former actor was seven-years-old when he landed the role of Mark Taylor, the youngest son of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor (Tim Allen) and his wife Jill Taylor (Patricia Richardson) in 1991.The sitcom, which was based on Allen's stand-up comedy persona, centered on Tim, a television host known for his home improvement show, "Tool Time," and his family life with Jill, Mark and older sons Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan) and Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas)."Home Improvement" star Taran Noah Smith opened up about why the hit sitcom came to an end.(Patricia Richardson Instagram/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)'HOME IMPROVEMENT' STAR JONATHAN TAYLOR THOMAS ARRESTED FOR ALLEGED PUBLIC INTOXICATION, RESISTING DEPUTY"Home Improvement" became one of the highest-rated shows of the '90s and ran for eight seasons and aired 204 episodes.
However, the show concluded in 1999 after Richardson declined to return for a proposed ninth season.During a recent appearance on Tom Scharpling and Julia Vickerman's podcast "Outgrown" podcast, Smith reflected on his time starring on the show and weighed in on the reasons behind Richardson's departure.TIM ALLEN SAYS HE 'NEVER REALLY WANTED' TO BE A DAD AND OPENS UP ABOUT SOBRIETY AND FATHERHOOD REGRETSSmith recalled that Richardson joined the cast as Jill just days before the pilot was taped after producers replaced Frances Fisher, the actress originally cast as Tim's wife, during rehearsals."Home Improvement" was one of the highes-rated shows of the 1990s and ran for eight seasons from 1991 to 1998. (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)"When they brought Patricia in, there was just a much better chemistry," he said."And she had her own kid.
She had just given birth to twins, and she had one older kid who was about my age.She really brought a lot more of a realistic mom energ...