The Ask This Old House team has true respect and admiration for each other. To uncover how much they truly love working with one another, they were asked to use one word to describe each of their co-cast members, and although they could rarely stick to the one-word rule, their answers were sincere.
Kevin O’Connor
“Generous,” “perceptive,” and “smart.” Touted as the best-listening host the team has ever had, Kevin is consistently seen as the backbone or glue that holds the team together. While not necessarily a tradesperson himself, his experience around the team makes him one of the favorite scene partners on the show. And, endearingly called “Sonny” by everyone’s favorite general contractor, he’s considered a dear friend by all.
Origin Story: Kevin’s path to becoming host is one of the most beloved stories in TOH history. As he tells it: “My wife and I, we sent an email in to Ask This Old House. We were looking for some suggestions on how to strip wallpaper and you guys are nice enough to come to our house. And next thing I know I was asked to join the team.” Before stepping in front of the camera, Kevin went through what TOH Magazine dubbed “boot camp” — two weeks of intensive on-the-job training working shoulder-to-shoulder with Norm, Tom, Roger, and Richard, getting a “grunt’s-eye view” of each trade.
Tom Silva
The team’s view on Tom Silva is unanimous, with terms like “G.O.A.T.,” “inspiring,” and “inexhaustible” flowing from his biggest fans (the other crew members, of course). The team appreciates being able to draw from Tom’s well of knowledge while also reaping the benefits of his humble, gentle personality.
That humility is no act. In a 2004 anniversary interview, Tom reflected on his even-keeled on-camera presence: “No, I don’t get riled. Life’s too short, and getting upset doesn’t solve the problem.” He credits original director Russ Morash with teaching him to simply ignore the camera — a lesson that has helped him connect naturally with viewers and colleagues alike for decades.
Fans are just as effusive. As viewer Andrew Brettrager of Manhattan, Illinois, wrote in to TOH Magazine: “All my friends worship Tom Silva. We talk about our current projects and bounce ideas off of each other, but our favorite saying is WWTD: ‘What Would Tom Do?'”
Tom himself has always pointed to the genuine bonds among the crew as the secret to the show’s longevity. As he once put it: “People always say, ‘You really seem like friends.’ I tell them, ‘Well, it’s because we are friends.'”
Mark McCullough
Humble, hardworking, and dedicated, with a streak of humor and an abundance of skill, the team appreciates this steady hand on all of the masonry projects. They’re in constant amazement at what he’s capable of as a mason and a business owner.
In His Own Words: Mark McCullough on what drives him as a mason: “There’s a challenge in there every day. A self gratification that you get out of putting something together that you know is gonna be there for 50, 60, 70 years. It’s something that makes you show up the next day. You wanna do it again.”
Jenn Nawada
When your co-hosts use words like “authentic” and “genuine” to describe you, their love and appreciation are sitting proudly on their sleeves. That’s just what the cast of Ask This Old House says about Jenn, remarking about her exuberance and love for passing her skills and experience on to others, as well.
Heath Eastman
The crew describes Heath as a tradesperson who is constantly seeking to learn more about his trade. The team says he’s methodical, meticulous, and dependable, making Heath someone you’d want as a friend but also someone you want on your team.
Mauro Henrique
“The Maestro of Paint,” as team members have called him. The team appreciates Mauro for his dependability, meticulousness, and attention to detail. He’s been there to bail out other members of the team in their time of need, and his artistic approach to painting and finishing leaves the other cast members in awe time after time.
Mauro’s path to painting was serendipitous. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, he originally started as a carpenter’s apprentice. As he recalled in a TOH segment: “One day the painter didn’t show up and my boss said we need to get this house done. The guy said, can you paint so I can try and then I did good. And that night I went home and I said to my wife, I think I like painting. It’s fun and, you know, I can get a lot of work done. And I’m happy, I’m just happy to see the room done in one day or two days.”
Nathan Gilbert
When the team talks about carpenter Nathan Gilbert, they gush about his detailed work, organization, and determination. He was even described as exactly what the team was looking for from the Generation Next initiative. He’s thoughtful, deliberate, and calm under pressure.
In His Own Words: Nathan Gilbert credits his father for shaping his path: “Instead of giving me menial tasks at the job site, my father took the time to teach me the skills I needed to become a successful carpenter. He challenged me so I could learn more.”
Gilbert’s road to the show is a remarkable one. A second-generation finish carpenter and third-generation Seabee — part of the U.S. Navy’s construction battalion — he served from 2009 to 2014, deploying to multiple countries before returning to the trades. He was one of the first apprentices when TOH launched its Generation NEXT program in 2017, and his talent and work ethic made such an impression that he eventually joined the Ask This Old House crew full-time. As he reflected on the apprenticeship: “One of the best things about apprenticing on the Newton project was all the advice I got from Charlie Silva, not only about how to be a good builder but also how to run a business. It’s really helped me as my own business has begun to take off.”
Ross Trethewey
As the show’s expert in engineering and home technology, the team’s respect for Ross’s intelligence, innovation, and knowledge is real. He grew up around many of the cast members, and they appreciate him for going his own route and honing his skills as a mechanical engineer.
Richard Trethewey
Richard’s ability to stay passionate, share his trade, and lightheartedness has made him a favorite with the cast and crew for over 40 years. He believes in collaboration and celebrating the tradespeople who keep the systems running.
In His Own Words: Richard Trethewey has long described the TOH crew’s dynamic in musical terms: “We’re like an old rock band. We each get to solo, but we really play as an ensemble.”
