Patricia Richardson, born Patricia Castle Richardson on February 23, 1951, in Bethesda, Maryland, is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Jill Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement.

Her career spans several decades, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the craft of acting. She attended multiple schools, including Holton-Arms School and Hockaday School, and graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1972 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.

During her time at SMU, she formed lasting friendships with classmates Beth Henley and Stephen Tobolowsky, both of whom would later play significant roles in her career.

Patricia Richardson began her acting career on stage, serving as the understudy for the role of Gypsy Rose Lee in the 1974 Broadway production of Gypsy: A Musical Fable, starring Angela Lansbury.

Over the next ten years, she worked in regional theater, commercials, and Off-Broadway productions. She appeared in various television series, including The Equalizer, Spencer For Hire, and Kate & Allie, and had roles in films such as Christmas Evil and C.H.U.D. In 1989, she guest-starred in an episode of Quantum Leap as a radio station owner.

Her breakthrough came in 1991 when she was cast as Jill Taylor on Home Improvement. Her portrayal of the loving yet no-nonsense wife of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor resonated with audiences, earning her four Primetime Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations.

While working on Home Improvement, she hosted the Emmys with Ellen DeGeneres and starred in the miniseries Undue Influence with Brian Dennehy. She also earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her first major theatrical film role in Ulee's Gold (1997).

After Home Improvement, Patricia Richardson took a few years off to be with her children. She later joined Lifetime's Strong Medicine as Dr. Andy Campbell from 2002 to 2004, for which she was nominated twice by the Prism Awards.

She also made guest appearances on The West Wing during the show's last two years as Alan Alda's Chief of Staff. More recently, she has appeared in NCIS, The Blacklist, and several other TV shows and movies.

Patricia Richardson has been married to retired psychologist Mark Cline since 1997. She has three children: Henry, Roxanne, and Joseph. She is also the godmother of actress Betty Gilpin, highlighting her close connections within the acting community.

She continues to serve on the National and Los Angeles Local Boards of SAG-AFTRA and remains a proud member of Membership First.

Her net worth is estimated to be around $20 million.