Home Improvement character guide
Who is Brad Taylor in Home Improvement?
The eldest Taylor son, a sports-minded teenager who spends his high school years chasing girls, grades, and his own independence.
By Sitcomdle · Sources and corrections
Updated
Brad Taylor's Sitcomdle clue card
The five clues the game shows when Brad Taylor is the answer or a guess.
- Show
- Home Improvement
- Debut
- 1991
- Network
- ABC
- Role
- Main
- Gender
- Male
Brad Taylor has not been a daily answer yet. Play today's Sitcomdle.
- Show
- Home Improvement
- Played by
- Zachery Ty Bryan
- First episode
- “Mow Better Blues”Season 1, Episode 2, aired September 24, 1991
- Role
- Main cast
- Network
- ABC
- Occupation
- Eldest Taylor son, high school student
- Show run
- 1991 to 1999
Brad Taylor is the eldest of Tim and Jill's three sons, a sports-minded teen with plenty of his father's confidence. Zachery Ty Bryan plays him as the older brother who is always trying to prove he is grown up.
On Home Improvement, Brad Taylor's story runs through Tim Taylor (Father), Jill Taylor (Mother), Randy Taylor (Brother), Mark Taylor (Brother), and Al Borland.
Who is Brad Taylor?
Brad is the oldest of the Taylor boys, and he spends much of the series trying to look cool in front of his friends. Sports matter to him, and he often clashes with his parents over what he is allowed to do.
He shares a lot of storylines with his brothers, Randy and Mark, which keeps the household lively.
Personality and storylines
Brad is confident, a little vain, and eager to be taken seriously, which makes his mistakes easy to laugh at. His early romance with Jennifer drives several storylines, and his grades and punishments often come up in family arguments.
Several episodes show him learning hard lessons about responsibility, and his father's advice usually arrives at the worst possible moment.
Legacy
Zachery Ty Bryan played Brad as a main cast member, and the character is remembered as the big brother who anchored the teen side of the household. The Taylor boys together became some of the most recognizable TV kids of the 1990s.
Brad's storylines show how the show turned its family comedy into something more grounded as the children got older.
Key Brad Taylor episodes
- “Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble”Season 1, Episode 9Brad tries to ask Jennifer out.
- “Bye Bye Birdie”Season 2, Episode 18Brad and Jennifer break up, and Brad fails a math test.
- “Arrivederci, Binford”Season 3, Episode 5After Binford dies, Brad decides men cannot cry.
Season and episode numbers follow the original broadcast order.
Brad Taylor: frequently asked questions
Who plays Brad Taylor in Home Improvement?
Zachery Ty Bryan plays Brad Taylor as a main cast member throughout the series.
Who is Brad's girlfriend in Home Improvement?
Brad dates Jennifer for much of the series, and the two break up in season two.
Is Brad the oldest Taylor son?
Yes. Brad is the eldest of Tim and Jill's three sons, with Randy in the middle and Mark the youngest.
Test yourself: Brad Taylor quiz
5 questions about Brad Taylor. Think of your answer, then open the reveal to check it.
- Question 1
In 'Bubble, Bubble, Toil and Trouble', who does Brad try to ask out?
- Lisa
- Jennifer
- Heidi
- Ilene
Show the answer
Answer: B. Jennifer
Brad's early crush on Jennifer is one of the first romances the show follows for the Taylor boys.
- Question 2
Who plays Brad Taylor in Home Improvement?
- Zachery Ty Bryan
- Joel McKinnon Miller
- David Schwimmer
- Jim O'Heir
Show the answer
Answer: A. Zachery Ty Bryan
Zachery Ty Bryan plays Brad Taylor.
- Question 3
In what year did Brad Taylor first appear on Home Improvement?
- 1985
- 1988
- 1991
- 1994
Show the answer
Answer: C. 1991
Brad Taylor debuted in 1991, in "Mow Better Blues" (Season 1, Episode 2). That year is the Debut clue in the game.
- Question 4
Which episode was Brad Taylor's first?
- "Goodbye, Toby"
- "Mow Better Blues"
- "The Suicide"
- "The Gang Gets Racist"
Show the answer
Answer: B. "Mow Better Blues"
Brad Taylor first appeared in "Mow Better Blues," Season 1, Episode 2.
- Question 5
Which best describes Brad Taylor?
- Assistant to the traveling secretary, NY Yankees
- Commanding officer, 4077th MASH
- Bartender, then novelist
- Eldest Taylor son, high school student
Show the answer
Answer: D. Eldest Taylor son, high school student
Brad Taylor: Eldest Taylor son, high school student.
Sources and corrections
Reference pages used for this guide, including character, cast, and episode details.
Could Brad Taylor be today's mystery character? Name them in eight guesses.
Play today's SitcomdlePeople in Brad Taylor's life
- Tim TaylorFatherPlayed by Tim AllenThe grunting, power-tool-loving host of the cable show Tool Time, whose own home repairs keep going wrong in suburban Detroit.
- Jill TaylorMotherPlayed by Patricia RichardsonTim Taylor's sensible wife and the voice of reason in the Taylor household, who keeps the family grounded while her husband chases bigger power tools.
- Randy TaylorBrotherPlayed by Jonathan Taylor ThomasThe middle Taylor son, a smart and mischievous kid who gets into trouble with his brothers and then on his own.
- Mark TaylorBrotherPlayed by Taran Noah SmithThe youngest Taylor son, a sensitive and thoughtful kid who often worries about his family and tries to find his place among his brothers.
More Home Improvement characters
- Al BorlandMain castPlayed by Richard KarnTim Taylor's bearded, flannel-wearing co-host on Tool Time, the calm and safety-minded friend who keeps the show from falling apart.
- WilsonMain castPlayed by Earl HindmanThe Taylors' wise, mysterious neighbor, whose face is hidden behind the backyard fence for almost the entire run of Home Improvement.
All Home Improvement charactersEssential Home Improvement episodesHome Improvement triviaMore 1990s sitcom characters