Beloved ‘Lion King’ Star Seen in Public For the First Time in TWO YEARS!

Throughout the 1990s and the early 2000s, one of the most popular and in-demand child actors was Jonathan Taylor Thomas. The adorable young actor began an incredibly successful career in Hollywood when he was just six years old. His first big role came when he voiced Spot in the show The Adventures of Spot (1987-1993). However, he shot into stardom when he was cast by Disney to star in the uber-popular show, Home Improvement (1991-1998). Taylor Thomas starred alongside The Santa Claus (1994) star Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, and Zachary Ty Bryan.

Related: Home Improvement Star Pleads Guilty to Felony Assault, Avoids Serious Jail Time

After that, JTT as he was affectionately known, appeared in a number of hit films and television shows. He remained a huge part of the Disney family, starring in Disney’s iconic animated film, The Lion King (1994). He also starred in the Disney films Man of the House (1995) and Tom and Huck (1995), which was based on the works of Mark Twain.

As he got older, the young actor decided that he wanted to slow down and live a more traditional teenage life. In 2000, he began studying at Harvard University, majoring in Philosophy and History. He then graduated from the Columbia School of General Studies in 2010.

After he decided to step back from Hollywood, JTT was rarely seen out in public. In fact, the last time he was seen out in public was in 2021. Before that, fans didn’t see the star for eight years — apart from his cameo on the Tim Allen show, Last Man Standing (2013-2015).

But fans were thrilled when SplashNews shared images of the actor out and about in Southern California. The Home Improvement star was seen on a walk, enjoying the nice weather.

Related: Mufasa: The Lion King Prequel (What We Know So Far)

In 1996, when he was just 15 years old, Taylor Thomas spoke to Premiere about the pressures of being in such a demanding industry at a young age.

“You can’t be trapped in this bubble called the acting industry. The industry is neurotic and weird, and so when I go home and I play basketball with my friends, I’m not Jonathan Taylor Thomas. I’m just Jonathan. I don’t like hanging out with other actors and actresses.”

Then, in 2013, he spoke to PEOPLE about his decision to step away from Hollywood. Many people might think it’s difficult to step away from the only life you’ve ever known, but Taylor Thomas said that he did not regret it.

“I’d been going nonstop since I was 8 years old. I wanted to go to school, to travel and have a bit of a break.”

“I never took the fame too seriously. It was a great period in my life, but it doesn’t define me. When I think back on the time, I look at it with a wink. I focus on the good moments I had, not that I was on a lot of magazine covers.”

In 2020, Taylor Thomas’ Wild America (1997) costar, Devon Sawa, said that he had last spoken to his friend two years prior. He said that JTT was thinking of making a “mockumentary” with fellow 90s child star Macaulay Culkin. Unfortunately, that project never came to fruition.

If you want to relive your childhood love of JTT, Home Improvement, The Lion King, Tom & Huck, Man of the House, and I’ll Be Home For Christmas are currently available to stream on Disney+.

What is your favorite Jonathan Taylor Thomas movie? Let us know in the comments!