Earl John Hindman American stage, film and television actor Date of Birth: 20.10.1942 Country: USA

1. Biography of Earl John Hindman
2. Early Career
3. Film and Television Career
4. Role as Wilson Wilson
5. Later Career and Personal Life

Biography of Earl John Hindman

Earl John Hindman, an American actor of theater, film, and television, was born on October 20, 1942, in Bisbee, Arizona. He grew up in a family of a plumber named Berl Hindman and his wife Eula. Earl's brother Ray resides in Tucson, while his sister Anna lives in Payson, Arizona. The family moved around the Southwest before settling in Tucson. Earl completed his education there, where he excelled in sports and showed promise as an athlete, standing at a height of 187 cm. At the same time, he developed a passion for theater and photography, leading him to enroll in the University of Arizona to study acting.

Early Career

Hindman's early professional performances included Shakespearean plays at the Globe Theatre in San Diego. He was so captivated by the experience that he left his studies to pursue acting full-time. Hindman honed his craft on numerous theater stages and eventually made his way to New York, where he performed on Broadway.

Film and Television Career

Hindman made his film debut in 1968 with a small role in the thriller "The Kiss of Her Flesh." However, he became more memorable for his portrayal of tough guys in films such as "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three" and "The Parallax View." From 1975 to 1989, Hindman was a cast member of the daytime soap opera "Ryan's Hope," where he played the character Bob Reid in 479 episodes out of 3515. It was during the show's filming that he met actress Molly McGreevy, whom he married on May 21, 1976. McGreevy later transitioned from acting to becoming an Episcopal priest. The couple had two children together.

Role as Wilson Wilson

Hindman's most famous role was that of the enigmatic neighbor Wilson Wilson on the ABC sitcom "Home Improvement," which aired for eight seasons from 1991 to 1999. Wilson was a genius with a Ph.D., knowledgeable in various languages and fields of science and technology. Throughout the series, Hindman's face was partially obscured, with only the lower part visible. Whether he was hiding behind a fence or covering his face with a book or magazine, viewers never saw his full face until the final episode.

Later Career and Personal Life

Following "Home Improvement," Hindman made guest appearances in two episodes of the series "Law & Order" and the thriller film "Final" in 2001. Aside from acting, he had hobbies such as playing country music, poker, and collecting stamps and coins. Hindman passed away from lung cancer on December 29, 2003, at the age of 61 in Stamford, Connecticut.