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What happened to Tommy on This Old House? All you should know

Home renovation and construction shows have an intriguing charm, captivating viewers as they follow friendly hosts who meet with homeowners, sketch out renovation plans, tear down walls, and skillfully piece everything back together.

Hosts like Tommy Silva, in particular, are known for sharing their brilliant construction insights. However, there seems to be a curiosity surrounding Tommy’s current status on “This Old House.”

Tom Silva, often affectionately referred to as “Tommy” on the popular series “This Old House,” is a renowned American carpenter, construction contractor, and a well-known television personality. He has gained fame through his involvement in two PBS programs, “This Old House” and “Ask This Old House.”

Furthermore, Tom is a co-owner of Silva Brothers’ Construction, a construction company located in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Image of Tom Silva as Tommy

Tom Silva’s profile summary

Full name Tom Silva
Nickname Tommy on This Old House
Gender Male
Date of Birth January 17, 1947
Age 76 years of age
Zodiac Sign Aries
Place of Birth Lexington, Massachusetts, USA
Current residence Boston, Usa
Nationality American
Ethnicity Mixed-race
Religion Christian
Sexuality Straight
Height 5 feet 9 inches
Weight 72 kg
Eye Color Brown
Hair Color White
Siblings 3
Relationship Status Married
Wife Susan Silva
Kids 2 (TJ and Kate)
Profession Construction contractor, carpenter, TV personality
Net Worth $5 million

Tom Silva’s Biography

Tom Silva, recognized as “Tommy” from the show “This Old House,” was born on January 17, 1947, in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. In the year 2023, he has reached the age of 76.

While there may not be extensive details available about Tom’s parents, it’s noteworthy that his father followed the same skilled path as a carpenter. This familial connection to carpentry likely played a significant role in shaping Tom’s passion and expertise in the field, as it’s often through such generational influence that a deep appreciation for craftsmanship is cultivated.

The American TV personality has both a brother and a sister, making their family a close-knit group of five residing in Massachusetts, USA. During their formative years, Tom and his siblings dedicated a significant portion of their childhood to assisting their father in a wide array of construction projects.

Early construction venture

Tommy embarked on his construction endeavours from a young age. Growing up in a historic 1787 Colonial house, his family decided to construct a fallout shelter beneath it. While they may not have been professional builders, like many others during the escalating tensions of the Cold War, they shared the fear of a potential nuclear conflict.

In line with numerous other residents of the era, Tommy and his family chose to construct a fallout shelter right within the confines of their home. Their motivation stemmed from the belief that these shelters would serve as a protective measure, minimizing the harm caused by radiation in the event of a nuclear explosion.

Image of Tom Silva working

 

This concern for safety in the face of potential nuclear conflict was a prevailing sentiment during the Cold War.

Following a successful venture into constructing their own shelter, Tom, along with his nephew Charles, took their shared passion and expertise for construction to the next level. They co-founded Silva Brothers’ Construction company, where their collective skills and experience became the foundation for their successful business venture.

Television

Although Silva Brothers’ Construction had been in operation for a significant period, its journey to prominence truly began when they undertook the construction of the initial set for “The Victory Gardens.” Subsequently, during one of their residential projects, Tommy and his team attracted the attention of Russell Morash, the producer of “This Old House.”

This pivotal encounter marked the start of their involvement with the renowned television program.

Due to the outstanding quality of their craftsmanship, Russell Morash extended a significant invitation to Tommy and his team, offering them the role of permanent contractors for the “This Old House” show. This momentous decision marked the beginning of Tom’s official involvement with the program in 1986, despite its having been on the air for seven years since its premiere in 1979.

During that period, the show was under the hosting leadership of Bob Vila. Tom’s entry into the show brought with it a fresh perspective and a wealth of construction expertise, contributing to the program’s ongoing success and its mission of showcasing home renovation and improvement projects.

Due to the outstanding quality of their craftsmanship, Russell extended a significant invitation to Tommy and his team, offering them the role of permanent contractors for the “This Old House” show. This momentous decision marked the beginning of Tom’s official involvement with the program in 1986, despite its having been on the air for seven years since its premiere in 1979.

During that period, the show was under the hosting leadership of Bob Vila. Tom’s entry into the show brought with it a fresh perspective and a wealth of construction expertise, contributing to the program’s ongoing success and its mission of showcasing home renovation and improvement projects.

In its early days, the show primarily centered around outdoor activities and gardening tasks. However, to transform it into a successful program, essential construction work was required behind the scenes. This crucial role was undertaken by Tommy and his construction company.

The show was initially hosted by James Underwood Crockett, but upon his passing, Bob Thomson assumed the role of the new host. Over the years, with Tommy’s valuable contributions, the show expanded its scope to encompass a diverse array of topics, including:

  • Potting
  • Planting Pest control
  • Pruning

The show also opened its doors to numerous guest personalities who made appearances over the years. Notable figures who graced the program included Roger Swain, Michael Weishan, and Jamie Durie. The show aired from 2013 to 2015 before going on hiatus.

Subsequently, the 42nd season of the show made its debut on October 4, 2020, with the final episode airing on June 6, 2021. Nevertheless, “This Old House” remains dedicated to educating and empowering homeowners with unparalleled home improvement content.

What happened to Tommy on This Old House?

As “This Old House” approached its conclusion in mid-2021, it had broadened its horizons to evolve into a brand that encompassed:

  • Websites
  • Television shows
  • Magazines

As part of Tommy’s career trajectory on “This Old House,” he was appointed by The Alter Group to assume the position of Senior Vice President for Marketing and Strategy, marking a significant step in his professional growth and development.

Author

Tommy, renowned from his role on “This Old House,” is not only a seasoned construction expert but also a prolific author. While continuing to offer his expertise and construction insights to countless home enthusiasts, he made substantial contributions to This Old House Magazine and various publications associated with This Old House endeavors.

Image of Tom Silva from "This old house"

In the year 2000, he authored a book titled “Homeowner’s Manual: Advice on Maintaining Your Home.” This publication further solidified his status as a knowledgeable source of home maintenance and improvement guidance.

Wife and children

Tom from “This Old House” is indeed married. The American construction contractor is happily wed to Susan Silva. Their enduring union has spanned over three decades, and together, they have been blessed with a son named T J Silva and a daughter named Kate Silva.

This strong familial connection reflects the stability and balance in Tom’s personal life, which complements his professional achievements.

Tom and his family make their home in the suburbs of Boston, within a house constructed in the 19th century. Despite the age of his residence, Tom Silva continually applies his unique and exceptional building construction and renovation skills to maintain and enhance the property.

This ongoing commitment to renovation not only preserves the historical charm of the house but also serves as a testament to Tom’s unwavering dedication to his craft and the enduring importance of quality construction and design.

Tom Silva’s net worth

Tommy from “This Old House,” or Tom Silva, boasts a net worth of around $5 million as of 2023. His considerable wealth stems from a variety of income sources that collectively contribute to his impressive financial standing.

Tom Silva’s fast facts

  1. Tommy Silva, known as a prominent figure on “This Old House,” is a well-recognized American carpenter, construction contractor, and television personality.
  2. Tom Silva is continuing his involvement with the show and is not retiring.
  3. Tom Silva is an American by nationality.
  4. As of 2023, Tom Silva is 76 years old. He was born on January 17, 1947, in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA.
  5. Thomas, who became one of the main contractors, joined the PBS show “This Old House.”
  6. Tommy from “This Old House,” also known as Tom Silva, has an estimated net worth of around $5 million in 2023.
  7. Tom Silva is celebrated for his construction acumen and his notable presence on PBS programs, including “This Old House” and “Ask This Old House.”
  8. Silva Brothers’ Construction company is co-owned by Tom Silva and his nephew, Charles.

Tommy’s journey on “This Old House” began with his early passion for home construction. His father, a renowned contractor, passed on invaluable skills to him. Today, he stands as an accomplished carpenter, construction contractor, and television personality based in Boston, continuing his family’s legacy in the field.

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