Steve Thomas Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Salary, Net Worth, This Old House
Steve Thomas is the Emmy-winning television host who steered PBS’s This Old House through its golden era (1989-2003) and remains the face fans most associate with America’s favorite fixer-upper franchise. A licensed contractor, sailor, and best-selling author, Thomas has parlayed decades of on-camera carpentry into 2025 speaking tours, historic-preservation advocacy and a new generation of digital how-to content.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Stephen Thomas |
| Profession | TV Host / Carpenter / Author / Preservationist |
| Birth Date | 1952 |
| Age | 73 (as of 2025) |
| Birth Place | Pomona, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | withheld |
| Height | ≈ 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | ≈ 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Hair Color | Gray (formerly brown) |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Qualification | B.A. Philosophy, Evergreen State College |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
| Marital Status | Married (Evelyn “Evy” Blum, 1980-present) |
| Children | 1 son (Sam) |
| Hobbies | Blue-water sailing, woodworking, historic-renovation consulting |
| Current Work | Keynote speaker, This Old House brand ambassador, YouTube channel “Steve Thomas Restores” |
| Years Active | TV 1988 – present; carpentry 1974 – present |
| Net Worth 2025 | ≈ US $6 million (industry estimate) |
Early Life & Education
The eldest of six kids, Thomas grew up watching his father flip dilapidated houses in California and Alaska. At 13 he bought his first sailboat with money earned painting neighbors’ fences. He put himself through Evergreen State College working as a licensed painting contractor and carpenter, graduating with a philosophy degree while restoring a 1920s bungalow in Olympia, Washington .
Career Journey
1974-1980 – Pacific Northwest Carpenter
Restored six Craftsman and Colonial Revival homes; logged 30,000+ blue-water sailing miles, including a hand-built 43-ft wooden sloop voyage from England to San Francisco .
1987-1988 – Author & Documentarian
Wrote “The Last Navigator”, a critically acclaimed chronicle of Micronesian star-path sailing; PBS turned it into an Adventure series documentary filmed on remote Satawal island .
1989-2003 – This Old House Host
Recruited to replace Bob Vila; hosted 380 episodes, won 1997 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Service Show Host, and oversaw iconic projects such as the 1992 Charleston Single House, 1996 Nantucket Seaside Cottage and 2000 Kennedy Space Center Zero-Energy Home .
2004-2020 – History Channel & Preservation Advocacy
Created, produced and hosted Save Our History specials on George Washington’s Mount Vernon and Alaska’s Aleutian WWII bases. Sat on the boards of Historic New England and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
2021-2025 – Digital Renaissance
Launched YouTube channel “Steve Thomas Restores” (125 k subs, 18 M views); partners with This Old House digital as brand ambassador; headlines Home + Remodeling Show circuit; consults on net-zero retrofits for coastal New England properties.
Awards & Achievements
- Daytime Emmy – Outstanding Service Show Host (1997)
- Peabody Award – Save Our History (team award, 2005)
- National Humanities Medal – White House finalist (2010)
- New England Emmy – Lifetime Achievement (2019)
- This Old House – longest-running home-improvement series in U.S. TV history under his tenure .
Personal Life
Steve and wife Evy, an architectural historian, reside in an 1836 Colonial Revival they restored themselves in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts. Son Sam Thomas is a naval architect who co-designed the family’s latest project, a zero-carbon 48-ft ketch built with reclaimed white oak. The couple’s golden retriever “Miter” often cameos on Steve’s Instagram build videos.
Physical Statistics
| Measure | Imperial | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6′0″ | 183 cm |
| Weight | 180 lb | 82 kg |
| Shoe | 11 US | 44 EU |
| Hair | Silver-Gray | – |
| Eyes | Hazel | – |
Quotes
- “Measure twice, cut once – then tell the story behind the cut.” – 2024 National Trust keynote
- “Old houses are like old ships: ignore the leaks and you’ll sink.” – This Old House 30th-anniversary special
- “The most sustainable house is the one already built.” – YouTube channel trailer, 2023
Controversies
None significant. A 2002 Chicago Tribune profile noted Thomas’s “relentless perfectionism” occasionally frustrated crew members, but producers credit the trait with elevating craftsmanship standards.
Favorites
| Category | Pick |
|---|---|
| Wood Species | Old-growth long-leaf pine |
| Tool | 14-inch hand-forged drawknife |
| Sailing Ground | Maine’s Penobscot Bay |
| BBQ Wood | Apple-cherry mix |
| Season | Indian Summer (best varnish weather) |
| Book | The Sea and the Jungle by H. M. Tomlinson |
Salary & Net Worth 2025
Peak This Old House salary reached $400 k per season; current speaking fees run $15-20 k per engagement, plus YouTube ad-share and This Old House royalty residuals. Real-estate assets include the Massachusetts colonial, a coastal Maine building lot, and restoration consulting contracts. Net-worth is estimated at $6 million in 2025.
Interesting Facts
- First tool ever bought: a $7 block plane at age 12 – still hangs in his workshop.
- Has sailed under every major bridge on the U.S. East Coast except one still under construction.
- Holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton master’s license – captains charity regattas annually.
- Cameo in “The Simpsons” – Season 9, voices himself teaching Homer to grout tile (uncredited).
Social Media Links
- Facebook – 42 000 likes
- Twitter/X – @SteveThomasTOH 18 k
- Instagram – 27 k followers
- YouTube – 125 k subs | 18 M views
- LinkedIn – industry network
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is Steve Thomas still alive in 2025?
A: Yes – actively posting on YouTube and scheduled for Home Show keynotes through 2026.
Q2: Did Steve Thomas retire?
A: He left This Old House in 2003 but continues restoration consulting, speaking and digital content.
Q3: Who replaced Steve Thomas on This Old House?
A: kevin o’connor took over as host in 2003.
Q4: What is Steve Thomas doing now?
A: YouTube channel, brand ambassador, historic-preservation advocacy and coastal net-zero retrofits.
Q5: Where does Steve Thomas live?
A: Mattapoisett, Massachusetts in an 1836 Colonial Revival he restored .
Conclusion
From sailing Micronesian star paths to hammering nails into America’s most beloved Victorian, Steve Thomas has spent five decades proving that old houses—and old skills—still matter. His Emmy-winning television legacy, best-selling books and 2025 digital reboot continue to inspire a new generation to pick up a tool and preserve the past. If this bio sparked your inner carpenter, share it with a DIY friend!
