Extreme Makeover: What Happened These Fan-Favorite Cast Members?

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Extreme makeovers were all the rage in the '00s, with networks subjecting willing participants to radical transformations of everything from their wardrobes and facial features to the bricks and mortar they lived in. As suggested by its title, ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" was very much about the latter, sending a team of designers and craftsmen each episode to do a fixer upper for someone who'd fallen on hard times.

It proved to be far more popular than the show it derived from, the morally questionable "Extreme Makeover," with the original incarnation running for nine seasons. But what happened to the dream makers once the show ended? Which multi-talents returned to their first loves of acting, comedy, and hip-hop? Who is still a regular face on its home network? And who decided to walk down the aisle on a rival channel? Here's a catch-up guide to some of its most popular names.

One of the few ever-presents during the original "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" run, Paul DiMeo reportedly bagged the role of carpenter due to the amusing grumpy old man persona he exhibited during his audition. But it was his regular habit of shedding tears at the drop of a hat that endeared him to viewers.

Two years after the show came to an end, DiMeo once again got the chance to showcase his softer side — and his skills, of course — when he teamed up with business partner Tuffy Bakaitis on "Building Wild." The National Geographic series saw the duo help their clients escape the pressures of the big wide world by constructing the perfect getaway home in the most secluded destination. Indeed, the pair dubbed The Cabin Kings were even required to build access roads.

In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer to promote the show, DiMeo explained why he often gets so emotionally invested in his projects, "You spend a week with somebody and you do something. You look at it, and then you look at how it affects the people you did that for. Even if it's a cabin and it's a father and a son. They worked on something together that week that never would've happened without us bringing it to them. I did that with my old man, and I loved that." Following the second and final season of "Building Wild," DiMeo retreated from the spotlight.

The oft-shady Ty Pennington unarguably became the breakout star of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which explains why he's still a regular face on our screens 14 years after the show first came off air. In fact, he's just been confirmed to return as a mentor for the fifth season of real estate competition "Battle on the Beach."

Pennington didn't waste any time in following up his first major hit. In the same month that its finale aired, the T.V. personality made his debut on "The Revolution," a short-lived ABC talk show focusing on lifestyle and health in which he served as design expert. He also pivoted into the culinary world with Food Network original "American Diner Revival" and TNT show "On the Menu," was cast in TLC's 2018 reboot of "Trading Spaces," and was appointed as a representative for Chicago mortgage lending firm "Guaranteed Rate."

In 2021, HGTV came calling, giving Pennington the chance to host his own home renovation show "Ty Breaker" and take over from Drew Scott on one of the network's most popular shows, "Rock the Block." To cap off a memorable year, the Atlanta native also got hitched to Kellee Merrell just months after they got engaged. Alongside his busy career, Pennington is also a caregiver to his mom Yvonne who suffers from the respiratory condition known as bronchiectasis. Here's a look at his transformation from childhood to 57.

Another ever-present, Tracy Hutson, had started preparing for life after "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" before it had even finished. Indeed, in 2011, the Texan teamed up with the show's interior designer and Tanya McQueen to launch a brand-new series, "Picker Sisters," in which they trawled through the antiques stores of America in a bid to find gold for their Los Angeles home decor store. Unfortunately, it was canceled after a single season.

Undeterred, Hutson launched a new series on The Design Network in 2013 titled "Momtourage." The bite-sized show — each episode lasted no longer than 12 minutes — saw its host attempt to help the nation's working mothers find the time and inclination to spruce up their homes. She also took on a similarly encouraging role on another web-based show, Facebook's "Hollywood DIY."

In recent years, however, Hutson, who has two children with actor ex-husband Barry Watson, has taken a step away from the cameras to focus on her eponymous design company and espouse her stylish words of wisdom at various trade shows and conventions.

Following a stint in soccer-based soap opera "Dream Team," hosting gig on the U.K. version of "Fear Factor," and reporting role on short-lived breakfast show "RI:SE," Londoner Ed Sanders got the chance to showcase the carpentry skills which kept him employed in-between T.V. gigs. Indeed, after relocating to America with his Italian make-up artist wife Gioia and their young son, the multi-talent joined the second season cast of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

And Sanders certainly suffered for his art. He missed much of the fourth season after an accident in which he almost lost his thumb. Luckily, following various surgical procedures, he was able to return to the show where he stayed until its 2012 finale. Soon after, he co-presented AMC challenge show "Owner's Manual" with Marcus Hunt. But over the past decade, he's focused his efforts behind the scenes.

Indeed, having formed his own Limey Yank Productions company with writer Whit Honea, Sanders has also served as producer of man cave-friendly shows such as "Mike Brewer's World of Cars," "Wheeler Dealers," and "Celebrity IOU: Joyride." And further proving just how capable he is with his hands, he's also worked as a camera operator on documentary "Somehow Hopeful: The Story of a Woodsman" and Netflix original "Tex Mex Motors."

Having previously starred in several Mexican telenovelas and launched a Latin pop career with the 1998 album "La Pasión," Eduardo Xol brought a touch of showbiz pizazz to "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" when he joined the second season cast as a landscaper. The multi-talent remained an integral part of the show until its finale while also contributing to a home decor column in People En Español, publishing several books, and voicing his support for everything from GLAAD to the Lupus Foundation of America.

Xol appeared to retreat from the limelight for the remainder of the decade. But he made headlines in 2024 for the most tragic of reasons. Indeed, the Californian died in hospital having been found with serious stab wounds at his Palm Springs home. A man named Richard Joseph Gonzales, who was at the scene when emergency services arrived, was initially charged with attempted murder and then murder.

"We are heartbroken at the tragic loss of our beloved Eduardo Xol," a statement from his loved ones read, (via E! News). "As his family, we know that his kindness has touched the lives of so many." Tanya McQueen also paid tribute to her former colleague, telling People, "He was like a gentleman of the highest order, could make an incredible martini on the fly, in a hotel room in a plastic cup, and you felt elevated and away from the work day."

Like many "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" stars, carpenter Rib Hillis was first and foremost an actor. The multi-talent, who worked on the show for its fifth and sixth seasons, previously played a medic on "General Hospital" offshoot "Port Charles," briefly replaced the on-paternity leave Eric Martsolf on "Passions" as the character of Ethan Winthrop, and appeared in rom-com "According to Spencer."

Following his short stint on the ABC show, Hillis shifted his focus back to acting, starring in a number of schlocky sci-fi films such as "Dinocroc vs. Supergator," "Piranhaconda," and "Sharktopus Contra Pteracuda." He also guested on "Melissa and Joey," "Modern Family," and "The Rookie," became a Lifetime TV movie regular, and appeared in the family films "Timber the Treasure Dog" and "A Doggone Christmas." Most recently, he was cast as the titular mountain man in "The Tall Tales of Jim Bridger."

In a 2014 interview with Search My Trash, Hillis explained why the big screen will always remain his first love. "Nothing can compare to the thrill and satisfaction of shooting a film. The commitment to artistry and quality of work is unequal. The daytime and reality genre are great sources of entertainment and enjoyment, but if you are interested in artistry and creativity, nothing compares to film."

John Littlefield managed to maintain his acting career while serving as carpenter on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" between its fourth and ninth seasons, playing a cop in twisty thriller "Fracture," guesting on "Desperate Housewives" and "Dexter," and appearing in the T.V. movie "Xtra Credit."

"I paid my way through college by swinging a hammer," Littlefield explained in a press release, (via PRWeb), about why he was qualified for the ABC show. "Building sets, building houses. My dad taught me to do these things." But the multi-talent decided to put the tools down once his side hustle finished and focus entirely on his career as a thespian.

Indeed, Littlefield went on to lend his voice to animation "The Dog Who Saved Summer," show up in "Castle," "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," and "Rizzoli and Isles," and play the big baddie in cornfield horror "Fear Pharm" and its sequel. More recently, the Pennsylvania native was cast alongside the likes of Zach Roerig and Kayla Bohan in indie crime feature "Undertow," per Deadline.

Unarguably the most high-profile cast member of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," rapper Xzibit had already scored a half-dozen entries on the Billboard 200, appeared in box office hits "8 Mile," "XXX: State of the Union," and "Gridiron Gang," and presented MTV staple "Pimp My Ride" when he joined the show's seventh season as a designer in 2009.

The Detroit native continued to show off his many talents once the ABC hit ended, releasing seventh album "Napalm," playing a mule in T.V. movie "Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden," and landing the recurring gig of industry boss Leslie "Shyne" Johnson in music drama "Empire," while also contributing to documentary series such as "Hip-Hop Evolution" and "Hip Hop Uncovered."

Having spent more time talking about rap than making it, Xzibit finally got back in the saddle, so to speak, in 2025 with his first solo album in 13 years, "Kingmaker." When asked by the NME what took him so long, the star replied, "I've been working on music off-and-on for the last 10 to 12 years but I didn't feel like it was what I needed to put out. I didn't feel like it was different enough. [I was] able to hear something in myself that I hadn't heard before, so it made it easy to know [it was time to release the music]."

Jeff Dye was a one-season wonder on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," appearing as a designer in its swan song year. Of course, as a finalist on "Last Comic Standing" with a Comedy Central special to his name, the funnyman already had another career to fall back on.

Following the ABC hit's cancelation, Dye hosted MTV's "Club New Year's Eve," regularly appeared on "I Can Do That" and served as tour organizer for the likes of Henry Winkler and William Shatner (here's the untold truth about him) on golden years reality show "Better Late Than Never." He's guested on the panel of "I Can See Your Voice" and "The Masked Singer," launched the "Jeff Dye's Friendship Podcast," and played one of three stand-ups who stage a heist in comedy film "Stealing Jokes." Dye also turned daytime game show host in 2023 for Fox's "Who The Bleep Is That?"

That same year, Dye found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons when he was arrested for driving under the influence and subsequently fleeing the scene after crashing his car into a tree. He later admitted on the "Smoochie Town" podcast that he'd been a functioning alcoholic for the best part of two decades but was now committed to maintaining his sobriety. Three years earlier, Dye also became the talk of the town when he began dating reality T.V. star Kristin Cavallari. Here's a look at several other celebs proud to be sober.

Michael Moloney displayed his natural eye for design across all nine season of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." And judging by the interview he gave to Reality Wanted in 2011, the ever-present would no doubt have taken its cancelation hard.

"It's the best job in the whole world," Moloney gushed. "To be able to do something you love and have passion about it and make a difference in the world is pretty different. I think a lot of people go through their lives trying to find purpose and this found me. It's great." Luckily, the star, who first worked in the world of fashion, has found plenty to keep himself busy since.

Indeed, Moloney runs home furnishing outlets in both Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach, has served as judge on competitive reality shows "The Great Christmas Light Fight" and "The Great Halloween Fright Fight," and he's lent his skills to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital by designing the interior of the annual home giveaway.

After nine seasons of flying the flag for female carpenters on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," Paige Hemmis jumped from ABC to Hallmark Home and Family as their resident lifestyle expert, racking up no fewer than 585 appearances across seven years. And she soon became so committed to her new network that she even televised her wedding there.

Yes, in 2015, the DIY star, who'd previously been married to Russ Hemmis, walked down the aisle with Jason Short of Australian classical vocal outfit ARIA for a prime-time T.V. special filmed for the whole of America to see. The pair had first met seven years prior during Paige's "Extreme Makeover" stint, per Stay Tuned.

When asked why they decided to make their nuptials so public, Paige replied, "Since we met on camera, we thought we would continue that tradition and get married on camera. Seems like a nice way to bookend our time together so far." The Wisconsin native also paid tribute to the Hallmark family for making her feel so welcome, adding, "The love that the cast and crew has for each other on this show envelops anyone who visits our set. That is exactly the kind of love I would want surrounding me on my wedding day!"

Launched to fame via "The Bachelor" and then "The Bachelorette," Jillian Harris then went from dating to designing when she joined the "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" cast for its final three seasons. And she obviously made quite the impression. When the show wrapped up, she was quickly signed up to host "Canada's Handyman Challenge."

Harris continued to display her talents on "Love It or List It Too" for six years and became something of an entrepreneur, founding her own online vintage store and subscription box service, publishing cookbook "Fraiche Food, Full Hearts," and even setting up her own web-based business course titled The Jilly Academy.

But she didn't completely turn her back on the genre she made her name in. In 2016, she helped to counsel Jasmine Lorimer on the debut season of Canada's "The Bachelorette," and a year later, she bagged her very own candid reality show, "Jillian and Justin," which as its name suggests, focused on her relationship with snowboarder Justin Pasutto. The pair later became parents to two kids and in 2025 became husband and wife. Here's a look at what you need to know about the rebooted "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."