The Tool Time Girl From Home Improvement Is Almost Unrecognizable Today

In the 1990s, weekly sitcoms were not to be missed. From "Friends" to "Seinfeld," popular comedies ruled the conversation, and "Home Improvement" starring Tim Allen was no exception. The series featured a show within a show, where Allen's character, Tim Taylor, hosted his own home-improvement series called "Tool Time." Actor and model Debbe Dunning played the role of beautiful Heidi, the appointed "Tool Time" girl who announced the show and helped the hosts with tools and props. 

Dunning was actually the second "Tool Time" girl on "Home Improvement." She was brought onto the show as a replacement for Pamela Anderson, who has also had a stunning style transformation in the years since. Dunning joined the series as a cast member during the show's third season and remained until the very last episode. (The show even had to hide Dunning's real-life pregnancy in 1996.) At one point during the show's run, Anderson returned, which caused Dunning to think she would lose her role on the series, but the producers assured her that she would only be sharing the screen with Anderson for one episode.

On the show, Dunning frequently elevated denim shorts style by pairing the garment with a cute, sporty top and work boots. The actor was on more than 100 episodes of "Home Improvement" but left acting behind soon after the series ended. Nowadays, Dunning's life is dedicated to her family and favorite hobbies, though she still pays tribute to her character by attending fan conventions and recreating her recognizable wardrobe.

After "Home Improvement" wrapped, Debbe Dunning shifted her focus from her professional life to her private life. She booked a few acting jobs in the years that followed, but stopped acting in 2007 — seemingly to raise her three kids full-time. That said, she's made a few on-screen appearances since: In 2017, she hosted her own reality series called "Debbe Dunning's Dude Ranch Roundup," and fans were treated to a blast from the past when Dunning reunited with "Home Improvement" star Tim Allen on his latest show, "Shifting Gears," in October 2025. This marked her first appearance on a scripted television series in nearly 20 years.

Since leaving the acting world, Dunning has become heavily involved in fitness and sports. She frequently shows off her workout routines on social media and is an avid golfer. She still stuns with her long, brown hair and piercing eyes. Reflected in the series that Dunning hosted, she appears to have embraced Western style, including cowboy hats. This aesthetic almost feels like a natural evolution of her "Tool Time" looks, amping up the country factor. This style is even en vogue in some circles — just look at Kristi Noem's cowboy hat obsession that shows no signs of slowing down. Dunning also wears other simple but stunning outfits, including light-pink ensembles that look great on her, and we're happy to see her thriving today, whether in the acting industry or not.