Transcript
Norm Abram has stayed in hearts of millions of fans as a master carpenter from PBS’ ‘This Old House’ for nearly four decades now.
Norm was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on October 3, 1949, and grew up in Milford Massachusetts.
He graduated in mechanical engineering and business administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
After college, he worked for three years as a site supervisor for a New England-based construction firm.
In 1976, he started his own business, the general contracting firm, Integrated Structures Inc.
He began taking construction jobs in 1979 and built a small barn in the backyard of ‘This Old House’ producer, Russell Morash.
Impressed by his efficient work, Morash invited Abram to help with the renovation of a rundown Victorian house in Boston.
That was the first project for ‘This Old House,’ where he worked with Bob Vila and has been the primary carpenter on the show since then.
Afterwards, he went on hosting the spin-off of ‘This Old House’ called ‘The New Yankee Workshop’ (also produced by Russell Morash).
The show, which aired for 21 seasons on PBS from 1989 to 2009, showcased furniture and emphasized the use of power tools equipment.
He has authored eight books about carpentry.
(‘Ask Norm,’ ‘The New Yankee Workshop,’ ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once: Lessons from a Master Carpenter’) TO BE DISPLAYED ONLY
Abram serves on the editorial board of This Old House magazine, published by This Old House Ventures, Inc.
In 2009, he was honored with first-ever EyeSmart Distinguished Service Award by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
He lives with his beautiful wife, Elise (married since 1999) in a timber-framed two-story classic Colonial home in Carlisle, Massachusetts.
He has a daughter, Lindsey with his ex-wife, Laura Cone, with whom he was married till 1996.
He, along with his ‘This Old House’ team members, Kevin O’Connor, Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, Roger Cook, is working on a new TV show, THIS OLD HOUSE: Trade School.
As of 2018, from his years of involvement in carpentering and his TV appearance, has amassed a net worth of approx. $2.5 million.