Carter Oosterhouse Biography: Net Worth, Age, Parents, Kids, Wife, Height, Movies, TV Shows

Biography

Carter Oosterhouse (born September 19, 1976) is a celebrated American television host, carpenter, and lifestyle expert renowned for his work on home improvement shows.

Raised in Traverse City, Michigan, as the youngest of four siblings, he began learning carpentry at age 10 under a neighbor’s guidance and later earned a degree in nutrition from Central Michigan University on a rugby scholarship.

Oosterhouse rose to fame in 2003 as a carpenter on TLC’s Trading Spaces, charming audiences with his skills and charisma—earning him a spot in People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” issue that year.

He went on to host HGTV series such as Carter Can (2007–2010), Red Hot & Green, Million Dollar Rooms, and Celebrity Motor Homes, while appearing as a guest expert on programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Today Show.

A former model for brands like Nivea and Gillette, he co-founded Bonobo Winery with his brother Todd in 2010 and established the nonprofit Carter’s Kids to promote youth fitness through community playgrounds.

Married to actress Amy Smart since 2011, the couple recently transformed an 1860s barn on their Michigan property into an off-grid retreat.

American TV personality and former model
Carter Oosterhouse
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Carter Nicholas Oosterhouse
Stage Name:	Carter Oosterhouse
Born:	19 September 1976 (age 49 years old)
Place of Birth:	Traverse City, Michigan, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, Central Michigan University
Height:	1.88 m
Parents:	Mary López, Roland Oosterhouse
Siblings:	Todd Oosterhouse, Sienna Penick, Tyler Oosterhouse
Spouse:	Amy Smart (m. 2011)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Flora Oosterhouse
Occupation:	TV Host • Carpenter
Net Worth:	$8 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Carter Oosterhouse was born on September 19, 1976, in Traverse City, Michigan, as the youngest of four children.

Raised in a family of Dutch descent on his father, Roland Oosterhouse’s side and Mexican descent on his mother, Mary López’s side, he grew up with values centered on nutrition, wellness, self-care, and environmental respect, long before these were mainstream.

He began learning carpentry around the age of 10, apprenticing with a neighbor and following in the footsteps of his older brothers, Todd Oosterhouse and Tyler Oosterhouse, as well as Sienna Penick, who also pursued a career in carpentry.

Oosterhouse attended Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools, indicating a Catholic upbringing; however, his 2011 wedding to actress Amy Smart included both a priest and a guru, suggesting an openness to diverse spiritual influences. He earned a B.A. in nutrition and communication from Central Michigan University on a rugby scholarship.

Career

Carter Oosterhouse’s journey began with carpentry, a craft he started learning at just 10 years old under the guidance of a neighbor and later refined while working with his brothers in Traverse City, Michigan.

After earning a B.A. in nutrition and communication from Central Michigan University, he explored modeling, landing campaigns with brands such as Nivea, Gillette, and Lincoln Mercury, and even appearing in a Miller Lite commercial.

His big break came in 2003 when he joined TLC’s Trading Spaces as a carpenter. His skill and on-screen presence quickly made him a fan favorite, earning him a feature in People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” issue that same year.

Building on that success, Oosterhouse became a familiar face on HGTV, hosting shows like Carter Can (2007–2010), where he guided homeowners through renovation projects, Red Hot & Green, which promoted eco-friendly design, Million Dollar Rooms, highlighting lavish interiors, and Celebrity Motor Homes.

He also made guest appearances on major platforms, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, The View, Rachael Ray, and CNN.

In addition to his television career, Oosterhouse co-founded Bonobo Winery with his brother Todd in 2010, focusing on sustainability in winemaking.

He also launched Carter’s Kids, a nonprofit organization that builds playgrounds across the U.S. to encourage fitness and healthy living for children. More recently, Oosterhouse and his wife, actress Amy Smart, renovated an 1860s barn on their Michigan property into an off-grid retreat, reflecting his passion for sustainable living and eco-conscious design.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Carter Oosterhouse
• Instagram: Carter Oosterhouse (@carterooster)
• IMDb: Carter Oosterhouse
• Facebook: Carter Oosterhouse
• Twitter: Carter Oosterhouse (@carterooster) / X

Personal Life

Carter Oosterhouse, born on September 19, 1976, turned 49 years old.

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall, he has been married once, to actress and model Amy Smart, with the couple tying the knot on September 10, 2011, in Traverse City, Michigan.

They welcomed their first and only child, daughter Flora Oosterhouse, via surrogate in December 2016.

Before his marriage, Oosterhouse had no publicly documented dating history or other relationships.

Net Worth

Carter Oosterhouse‘s net worth is estimated at $8 million, a figure shared with his wife, actress Amy Smart.

This wealth stems primarily from his television hosting gigs on HGTV and TLC shows, such as Trading Spaces and Carter Can, as well as modeling for brands like Nivea and Gillette.

Additionally, he has been involved in entrepreneurial ventures, including co-founding Bonobo Winery, and eco-friendly initiatives through his nonprofit, Carter’s Kids.

Real estate dealings, such as selling properties in Manhattan Beach and Beverly Hills, have also contributed.