A lean, lanky character actor, Earl Hindman has played Wilson, the eccentric next door neighbor whose face is always obstructed by the backyard fence yet who provides the voice of experience and wisdom on the hit series "Home Improvement" (ABC, 1991-99).

Born and raised in the Southwest, Hindman became interested in acting while still a high school student. When he was cast in his first professional role (in Shakespeare) at the Old Globe Theatre, he dropped out of college. Years of stage work followed, including parts in the national touring company of "The Great White Hope" (1969-70), an