Not to stereotype, but with the red hair and the infectious grin, Kevin O’Connor looks like the cutest Irish kid in a grown-up body. Along with his four brothers and two sisters, Kevin grew up doing various jobs with his civil engineer father. Kevin and his wife Kathleen and three children live north of Boston.

Originally vice president in the sports finance group of Fleet Bank, O’Connor was asked to host Public Television’s This Old House after he and his wife were featured on show as homeowners overwhelmed with wallpaper removal. Hosting a television show might seem a bit of a stretch for Kevin, who has a degree in history from Holy Cross and a Master’s of Business Administration from Boston University, but his appearance as a guest was such a hit with audiences that he was chosen to replace Steve Thomas.

O’Connor traces his roots back to Counties Sligo and Mayo. He told Irish America, “I’ve traveled to Ireland many times…I have a great appreciation for my heritage and took pride in learning more about the O’Connor name in my travels.”

O’Connor is the third host in the history of the pioneer home improvement series. He also hosts Ask This Old House and Inside This Old House, and is on the editorial board of This Old House magazine.