You remember the megaphone. You definitely remember the "Move that bus!" scream that launched a thousand memes and probably as many tears back in the mid-2000s. Ty Pennington was the face of the ultimate feel-good TV era, the hyperactive carpenter with the soul of a designer who seemingly existed on a diet of pure adrenaline and altruism. But then, things got a bit quiet. Or at least, that’s how it looked if you stopped watching cable around 2012.
Honestly, if you're wondering where is Ty Pennington today, the answer isn't that he "retired" or vanished into the woodwork. He's actually right where he’s always been—covered in sawdust—but the stage has shifted. From health scares that nearly took him out to a surprising pivot toward the "next generation" of tradespeople, Ty’s 2026 is looking a lot different than his Extreme Makeover days.
The ICU Scare That Changed Everything
We have to talk about the throat thing. Because for a minute there, it was genuinely touch-and-go. In July 2023, right after the Barbie movie premiere (where he looked perfectly fine on the red carpet, by the way), Ty woke up at 4:00 AM and realized he couldn't breathe. Like, at all.
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Turns out, a "sore throat" he’d been ignoring for a month was actually a massive abscess. It was literally closing off his airway. He was intubated and flown to the ICU in Denver for emergency surgery.
Fast forward to today, and Ty is incredibly vocal about that being a massive wake-up call. He’s 61 now. He’s admitted in recent interviews that he spent decades thinking he was invincible, the "hyperactive kid" who could just go-go-go. Now? He’s focused on health. He jokes that almost dying is a great way to find out how much people love you, but the reality is he’s slowed down just enough to appreciate the small stuff—like his 1800s Savannah home.
The HGTV Era: Rock the Block and the Cancellation Blues
If you’ve been keeping up with HGTV lately, you know Ty has been a staple. He’s been the host of Rock the Block for several seasons, and as of early 2026, he’s still the face of that competition. He’s the guy who keeps the peace (and the energy) when big-name designers start clawing at each other for a street name.
But it hasn't all been smooth sailing.
Last year, a major bombshell hit the HGTV world when Battle on the Beach—a fan favorite—was abruptly canceled after four seasons. His co-host Alison Victoria dropped the news on a podcast, and rumors swirled. Some "insiders" claimed there were salary disputes, with whispers that Ty asked for $50,000 more per episode. Whether that’s true or just industry gossip, the show is gone. Ty seems fine with it, though. He’s got enough on his plate.
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Speaking of being fine, he recently had a hilarious moment on Instagram addressing the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition reboot. ABC brought the show back in early 2025, but they didn't bring Ty back. Instead, they went with Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin from The Home Edit. Ty posted a video lip-syncing to the "I'm fine!" audio from Friends. It was self-deprecating and a little salty, but in the most Ty Pennington way possible.
What He's Actually Doing Right Now (The Non-TV Stuff)
So, if he’s not on Extreme Makeover, what's he doing? Basically, he’s building a legacy that doesn’t require a camera crew.
- Savannah Restoration: He’s been deeply involved in restoring a historic 19th-century home in Savannah, Georgia. This isn't a "TV project." It's his life. He shares updates on his Instagram, and you can tell he’s more interested in the actual craft than the "reveal."
- The "At Home" Line: He’s still a businessman. He recently launched a furniture and décor line with the retailer At Home. It’s all about his signature "NextGen" style—mixing modern tech with craftsman roots.
- Skills Jam: This is arguably his most passionate project right now. It’s a YouTube docuseries where he follows teens competing in the trades—carpentry, plumbing, welding. With AI threatening a lot of white-collar jobs, Ty is out here pounding the pavement for blue-collar skills. He wants kids to realize that being able to build something with your hands is the ultimate job security.
- Home Shows: You can often find him at major industry events. Just this year, he was a headline speaker at the Fort Lauderdale Home Design and Remodeling Show. He’s still doing the live seminars, the Q&As, and the meet-and-greets. The energy is still there; it’s just more focused on teaching than screaming.
Marriage and the Quiet Life
For twenty years, everyone asked when he was going to marry his long-time partner, Andrea Bock. They never did. They just lived their lives. But in 2021, Ty surprised everyone by marrying Kellee Merrell, a social media manager from Canada.
They’re still going strong in 2026. Kellee is often the one behind the camera for his social media updates. They seem to have found a balance between the chaotic TV world and a relatively quiet life in Georgia and Florida.
The Reality of Ty in 2026
Where is Ty Pennington today? He’s in a transition phase. He’s moved from being the "loud guy with the megaphone" to being the "elder statesman of DIY." He knows he’s the "old guy" now—his words, not mine—and he’s okay with it. He’s mentoring the next generation of HGTV stars and pushing for vocational education.
He hasn't lost the spark. He still has that slightly frantic, infectious laugh. But there’s a layer of perspective there that wasn't there ten years ago. Facing a life-threatening health crisis will do that to you.
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Your Next Steps
If you’re a fan and want to keep up with Ty without waiting for a new TV season, here is what you should do:
- Check out "Skills Jam" on YouTube. It’s some of his most authentic work and shows a side of him that never quite fit into the highly-edited HGTV format.
- Follow his Savannah restoration. If you're into historic architecture, his updates on the 1800s house are genuinely fascinating and technically detailed.
- Don't hold your breath for an ABC comeback. He’s clearly moved on from Extreme Makeover, and honestly, his current projects seem to give him a lot more creative freedom.
Ty’s still building. He’s just building things that are meant to last longer than a one-hour episode.