Debbe Dunning rose to fame in the mid-1990s as the upbeat and stunning “Tool Time girl” Heidi Keppert on the wildly popular sitcom Home Improvement.
With her California charm and quick comedic timing, she became a fan favorite and a fixture of 90s television. But beyond her iconic role in plaid shirts and tool belts, Dunning has built a multifaceted career as an actress, model, spokesperson, and more recently, a TV host celebrating the great outdoors.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on July 11, 1966, in Burbank, California, Debra Dunning was always close to the heart of the entertainment world. After graduating from John Burroughs High School, she launched her career as a model and quickly gained attention for her striking looks and magnetic personality.
Early modeling gigs led to national commercials for brands like Miller Beer and Ford Trucks, laying the groundwork for her move into acting.
She began appearing in guest spots on TV shows throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, including a small role on Married… with Children. But it was her recurring appearances on Home Improvement that would define her television legacy.
Breakout Role on Home Improvement
Dunning joined the cast of Home Improvement in 1993 during the show’s third season, taking over the role of the “Tool Time girl” from Pamela Anderson.
Her character, Heidi Keppert, was introduced with the now-famous catchphrase, “Does everybody know what time it is?” and became a staple of the show until its final season in 1999.
While her initial role was mostly as eye candy for the fictional handyman show within the show, Dunning soon proved she had the acting chops and comedic timing to hold her own among the ensemble cast, including Tim Allen and Richard Karn. Heidi’s warm presence, occasional storylines, and sense of humor helped elevate the role into something much more than a sidekick.
Life After Home Improvement
After Home Improvement, Dunning continued working in television and film, appearing in projects like The Spiral Staircase, Wicked Wicked Games, and various made-for-TV movies. She also stepped away from the spotlight for a period to focus on her family life.
In more recent years, she reinvented herself as a lifestyle host with Debbe Dunning’s Dude Ranch Round-Up, a travel and adventure show that aired on RFD-TV. The series followed her across the U.S. as she visited working ranches, explored cowboy culture, and highlighted outdoor living — blending her natural charisma with her love of the western lifestyle.
Personal Life
Debbe Dunning was married to volleyball player Steve Timmons from 1997 to 2018, and they have three children together.
While she has kept much of her private life out of the spotlight, she occasionally shares glimpses of family, ranch life, and travel on her social media channels, where she remains active and connected with fans.
