Debbe Dunning Birthdate: 7/11/66 Hometown: Burbank, CA Married: Steve Timmons, May 11, 1997 Children: Daughter - Spencer Shea Timmons, born December 2, 1996
Debbe Dunning is in her fifth season as Heidi, the "Tool Time girl." And like Heidi, Debbe had her first child this past year. Debbe's real-life delivery of daughter Spencer Schae Timmons occurred in December, 1996. On "Home Improvement," Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) delivered Heidi's child in an episode that originally aired during last season's November sweeps period.
Debbe was born and raised in Burbank. She graduated from John Borroughs High, the same high school from which her parents had graduated 20 years earlier, which makes daughter Spencer a third-generation Californian. Debbe's senior year memories include cheerleading, being Homecoming Queen and earning the title of Miss Burbank of 1984.
That same year, when her parents' vacation money was stolen, Debbe entered a bikini contest for a beer company, in Hermosa Beach, and won the $500 prize money, which she promptly donated to the vacation fund. The next weekend, she entered another contest, with the same result. Before long, the company recognized a good thing, put her on a poster and began showcasing her in personal appearances. It was at this point that Debbe realized show business might be the way to go.
Debbe's first TV commercial quickly followed, as did a plethora of modeling jobs, including covers of several sports magazines (Shape, Triathlete, Muscle & Fitness). It wasn't long before she had over 60 commercials to her credit, including a Ford spot to the appropriate tune of "Pretty Woman."
But it was Debbe's three-year campaign for Taco Bell as Louise, the "Run for the Border" girl, which brought her to America's attention. With all this television time, it's no surprise that Debbe made the transition to acting.
Her first role was on the cable series, "Dream On," directed by John Landis. Guest shots on "Who's the Boss?," "Herman's Head," "Knots Landing," two "Married . . . With Children" episodes and a co-starring part in the feature film, "Dangerous Curves," followed.
Debbe starred in an episode of cable's "Tales From the Crypt"; performed in "Circus of the Stars," performing the high-flying trapeze act; and guest starred in Terry Bradshaw's ABC pilot, "Game Night." She played the sexy "Barrister" in the feature film courtroom spoof, "Misery Brothers," and starred in the most recent sequel in Trimark's "Leprechaun" series of feature films. She recently resumed doing commercials for Taco Bell, only this time as herself.
A natural athlete, Debbe competed with the ABC team on the "American Gladiator All Star Network Challenge" and successfully defended her title as the celebrity champion of the syndicated show, "American Gladiators."
Debbe counts skiing, skating (ice and roller), golf, kayaking and horseback riding among her favorite sports. She and husband Steve Timmons, a two-time gold and one time bronze medalist at the Olympics, split their time between homes in San Diego county and the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles, with nurseries in both.
Dunning began her career after she won several contests and was chosen as a poster girl for Miller Brewing Company. Her first commercial, for Foot Locker, followed quickly, as did a plethora of modeling jobs. She has been featured on the covers of several sports magazines, including "Shape," "Triathlete," and "Muscle & Fitness." She has more than 60 commercials to her credit, including a Ford spot to the appropriate tune of "Pretty Woman," but it was Dunning's three-year campaign for Taco Bell, as the "Run for the Border" girl, that brought her to America's attention.
Dunning's first acting role was on the HBO series "Dream On," directed by John Landis. Dunning has also guest-starred on USA's "Silk Stalkings" and serves as host of ESPN's "Extreme Bloopers." Other television credits include guest appearances on HBO's "Tales from the Crypt," "Who's the Boss?," "Herman's Head," "Knots Landing," and "Married ... with Children." She has also participated in the CBS special "Circus of the Stars," performing in the trapeze act, and remains the reigning champion of the American Gladiators Celebrity Challenge, two years running.
Dunning's first calendar, which debuted in the fall of 1995, sold out almost immediately. In addition, since October 1995, admirers have downloaded her images from the Web hundreds of thousands of times, firmly earning her the crown of "Queen of Cyberspace."
Born and raised in Burbank, California, Dunning graduated from John Burroughs High. She is married to Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Timmons. Their first child, Spencer Schae Timmons, was born in December 1996.
Debbe Dunning
Home Improvement
Wind Dancer Production Group
c/o Touchstone Television
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-2215
USA