On the Sitcom Home Improvement?

Question

Why do they always hide Wilson's (the neighbor) face. I have watched this show since I was a little girl and I have always wondered why they ALWAYS hide his face.

Answer 1

"Since Wilson was partly inspired by a neighbor that Tim Allen had when he was very little, half of Wilson's face was never seen on the show, and was instead constantly hidden, and sometimes humorously, blocked by various props, such as fences, masks, trees, and unusual costumes."

"Some reports indicate that while Wilson's face being obscured behind the fence was an early gimmick, Earl Hindman (the guy who played Wilson) was responsible for continuing it in any scenario, ensuring that Wilson's entire face was never seen all at once. A fan favorite was a Halloween episode, in which Wilson dressed up as The Phantom of the Opera, with a mask hiding the upper portion of his face and revealing the lower part, the reverse of a usual episode. His face is briefly revealed at the end of the final episode when the entire casts comes out to take their bows for the show's final curtain call."

Answer 2

It was a running gag as to how many ways he could hide his face.He died around 2 years ago after the show ended.He only uncovered it at the last episode as the credits rolled.I grew up 5 miles north of Tim Allen in the same county

Answer 3

Just another way for them to get creative with the show. It was a running joke for the entire duration to come up with new creative ideas to hide his face.

Answer 4

Earl Hindman. Rest In Peace!

Answer 5

Good fences make good neighbors and Wilson is the good neighbor so he has to have a good fence in front of him.

Answer 6

it was a part of the show they wanted a character that would be Tim's neighbor and not show his face

Answer 7

it's called a "narrative device" - it becomes part of Wilson's persona, godlike with his suggestions and advice, yet unseen, untouchable.