<P> A visual gag is that Wilson 's face is n't shown in its entirety , originally ( and most commonly ) with the bottom half obscured by the tall privacy fence that separates the neighbors ' yards . This gag is extended over the course of the series with other objects ( or a beard ) obscuring the bottom of his face , or the bottom half showing but the top obscured ( such as by a mask ) , or his full face shown but covered by paint . The audience finally sees Earl Hindman 's full face unobscured in the series finale 's curtain call . This was based on how Tim Allen saw a next - door neighbor when he was growing up . </P>
<P> A visual gag is that Wilson 's face is n't shown in its entirety , originally ( and most commonly ) with the bottom half obscured by the tall privacy fence that separates the neighbors ' yards . This gag is extended over the course of the series with other objects ( or a beard ) obscuring the bottom of his face , or the bottom half showing but the top obscured ( such as by a mask ) , or his full face shown but covered by paint . The audience finally sees Earl Hindman 's full face unobscured in the series finale 's curtain call . This was based on how Tim Allen saw a next - door neighbor when he was growing up . </P>
who played the man behind the fence on home improvement
who played the man behind the fence on home improvement
Earl Hindman
Earl Hindman