Patricia Richardson

Patricia Castle Richardson (born February 23, 1951) is an American television and film actress best known for her portrayal of Jill Taylor on Home Improvement. Richardson was born in Bethesda, Maryland, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth (née Howard) and Lawrence Baxter Richardson, who was a corporate executive and retired naval officer. Richardson attended the Holton-Arms School in Maryland and then the Hockaday School for Girls in Dallas, Texas. Sh... more

Patricia Castle Richardson (born February 23, 1951) is an American television and film actress best known for her portrayal of Jill Taylor on Home Improvement. Richardson was born in Bethesda, Maryland, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth (née Howard) and Lawrence Baxter Richardson, who was a corporate executive and retired naval officer. Richardson attended the Holton-Arms School in Maryland and then the Hockaday School for Girls in Dallas, Texas. She is a 1973 graduate of Southern Methodist University, where she was friends with classmates Beth Henley and Stephen Tobolowsky, who was slated to be a cast member of Home Improvement but had other contractual commitments when the series began filming. Tobolowsky initially suggested to producers of Home Improvement that Richardson be considered for the role of Jill Taylor after Frances Fisher was deemed too serious for the role. Richardson is divorced from actor Ray Baker, who is three years her senior. They have three children together: Roxie... less