Wilson (Home Improvement)

Wilson W. Wilson Jr is a fictional character from the sitcom Home Improvement, played by Earl Hindman. Wilson is Tim Taylor's neighbor and confidant, and is essentially an unseen character. The lower half of his face is always obscured some kind of object, usually the fence.

On the rare occasions he's seen outside his yard, he's still blocked by something (a scarf, a plant, etc) yet no one seems to notice. Sometimes the top half of Wilson's face is obscured while the lower half is revealed, and on at least one occasion his entire face was visible, although hidden behind Halloween makeup. He frequently gives advice to all members of the Taylor household, often reciting famous quotes for Tim (which Tim would always mess up when trying to repeat them moments later).

He has traveled the globe, learned much from virtually every culture in existence, and his house contains a veritable treasure trove of artifacts, along with a pet parrot named Mozart who appeared infrequently. Wilson was married at one point, but his wife died before the series began. Many feel that Wilson represented a sort of "God figure" in the show, always doling out advice to the Taylor family, and seemingly knowing just what to say to solve a problem. His face is never actually completely shown bare, although in one episode, it was shown in clown makeup as part of his Halloween costume.

However in the episode entitled "The Karate Kid Returns" (Season 6, Episode 14), Wilson is standing behind one of the Beach Boys, who moves forward prematurely at the end of his line, thus exposing Wilson's entire face for about a second before an abrupt camera cut. Wilson's entire face was finally revealed when the cast took their bow at the end of the series finale. On December 29, 2003, Earl Hindman (who played Wilson) died of lung cancer at the age of 61.

Trivia

 * Wilson has many relatives in Sweden. One of them is his uncle, Nilson Wilson, who makes clocks.
 * Wilson's house once got broken into. He said that his most prized possession was his "African Mucus Cup"
 * He has a pet parrot named Mozart.
 * Wilson has a cousin in the Congo that pays him to send him snow.
 * His birthday is in March.
 * Wilson is a registered midwife.
 * Wilson was married at one point, but his wife, Cathrine, died before the series began.
 * He has a niece named Willow.

Quotes

 * Wilson: I brought my crickets outside to serenade me.

Tim: Wilson, have you ever had a normal pet?

Wilson: I had a marmoset once. But my ocelot ate it.

Tim: You are one odd duck, Wilson.

Wilson: I had a duck, the ocelot got him, too.
 * Wilson: The French say there is nothing more comical than a man being complimented by a woman.

Jill: What do the French say when compliments turn into something else?

Wilson: I believe that phrase is "Ooh la la!"
 * Tim: So, Jill's mad at me because I didn't listen to her.

Wilson: No, I think she's mad at you because you blew up the damn dishwasher.
 * Tim: Everybody's got a TV.

Wilson: Not me. I just use my imagination and watch the pictures inside my head.

Tim: I guess that cuts down on re-runs then, doesn't it?

Wilson: Not necessarily, Tim, there's always déjà vu.
 * Tim: Wilson, I need more hose!

Wilson: Don't we all, Tim.
 * Wilson: I want to take a vacation so I'm mentally projecting myself into a place I'd like to be.

Tim: Hawaii?

Wilson: No no no no, Tahiti. Hawaii's too crowded.
 * Wilson: I've become quite fond of some of these high-tech appliances. I think I'm going to keep that stapler.