Lou Manfredini (born May 4, 1964) is an American television/radio personality and home improvement expert. Born in

Highland Park, Illinois Highland Park is a suburban city located in the southeastern part of Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. Per the 2020 census, the population was 30,176. Highland Park is one of several municipalities located o ...

he is the host of ''HouseSmarts TV,'' host of Chicago's

WGN (AM) WGN (720 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Chicago, Illinois, with studios on the 18th floor of 303 East Wacker Drive in the Chicago Loop. WGN has a news/talk Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues an ...

HouseSmarts Radio (formerly Mr. Fix-It), and is a contributor on NBC's ''

Today Today (archaically to-day) may refer to: * Day of the present, the time that is perceived directly, often called ''now'' * Current era, present * The current calendar date Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Today'' (1930 film), a 1930 A ...

Show''.

Early years

Manfredini was born to Massimo and Lida Manfredini in Highland Park, IL. His father worked as an auto and truck mechanic, mother was a homemaker. Manfredini worked with his father on cars and trucks which ultimately led Manfredini to pursue a career in home improvement. While a student at

Deerfield High School (Illinois) Deerfield High School (abbreviated DHS) is a comprehensive public high school in Deerfield, Illinois, United States. It is part of Township High School District 113, which also includes Highland Park High School. DHS opened in 1959, and graduate ...

, Manfredini worked at a hardware store and at a steel company as a welder. After graduating high school in 1982, Manfredini went to

Millikin University Millikin University is a private university in Decatur, Illinois. It was founded in 1901 by prominent Decatur businessman James Millikin and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Media Decaturian The ''Decaturian'', also known as ...

in Decatur, Illinois on a musical theater scholarship. In 1987, Manfredini started a construction company in Chicago. After 8 years in business, he began a media career in 1995 when WGN (AM) Radio launched his idea for a home improvement call-in radio show.

Television and Print Media

As host

In 1995 after writing letters to pitch his idea for a call-in home improvement radio show on WGN Radio, morning show host Bob Collins booked Manfredini on his show as a guest where his nickname, Mr. Fix It, was coined. Soon after Manfredini joined host Roy Leonard on his Saturday show as a regular contributor which then led to his own Saturday morning call-in radio show which still airs today. In 2000, Manfredini became the home improvement contributor for NBC-TV's Today Show, from 2006 to 2013 for NBC-5 Chicago and in September 2013 for WGN-TV Chicago. In 2006, he partnered with Frank DiGioia, President and CEO of Fort Productions, to create the news/magazine style home improvement and lifestyle show ''HouseSmarts''. Manfredini is also the host of ''Lou Manfredini's HouseSmarts Minutes'' (formerly ''Lou Manfredini's Home Improvement Minutes'') that are syndicated on radio stations across the United States. On May 29, 2015 Manfredini was inducted into the WGN Radio Walk of Fame. On January 14, 2017 Manfredini debuted the live show, HouseSmarts Radio, on 77-WABC New York. On October 14, 2017 Manfredini debuted the live show, HouseSmarts Radio, on 790-KABC Los Angeles.

As spokesperson

Manfredini has represented Marvin Windows and Doors nationally as their spokesperson since 2004 and serves/has served as spokesperson in the

Chicago market The Chicago metropolitan area, also colloquially referred to as Chicagoland, is a metropolitan area in the Midwestern United States. Encompassing 10,286 sq mi (28,120 km2), the metropolitan area includes the city of Chicago, its suburbs and hi ...

for: Perma Seal Basement Systems, Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers and Baxter Credit Union (BCU).BCUSpokesperson121813.aspx Since 2002 Manfredini has served as

Ace Hardware Ace Hardware Corporation is an American hardware retailers' cooperative based in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. It is the world's largest hardware retail cooperative, and the largest non-grocery American retail cooperative. Founded in 1924 ...

's resident "Home Expert" and editorial media spokesperson. Manfredini has been host of satellite media tours representing companies such as The Wood Promotion Network, 3M, Marvin Windows and Doors, Ace Hardware, Skil Power Tools. Manfredini has served as subject matter expert host for The Rug Doctor infomercial.

Other appearances

Manfredini has sung the National Anthem at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, three times – once in 1998, once in 2001 and once as a duet in 2009 with his producer, Lindsey Smithwick (formerly Kreutzer). From 2002 to 2003 Manfredini served as the Home Category Expert for the Home Shopping Network (HSN). On August 18, 2011 Manfredini was a guest on the stage and radio show created by the Chicago Tribune and The Second City, Chicago Live! On May 30, 2012, Manfredini guest starred in the Irish musical The Twelve Tenors for one night at the Riverfront Theater in Chicago.

Bibliography

* 2000: ''Mr. Fix It: 101 Answers to the Most Commonly Asked Questions About Repairing Your Home'' Rare Air Media * 2002: ''Mr. Fix It Introduces You To Your Home''

Ballantine Books Ballantine Books is a major book publisher located in the United States, founded in 1952 by Ian Ballantine with his wife, Betty Ballantine. It was acquired by Random House in 1973, which in turn was acquired by Bertelsmann in 1998 and remains ...

* 2004: ''House Smarts''

* 2004:''Bath Smarts''

* 2004: ''Kitchen Smarts''

* 2004: ''Room Smarts''

Family

Manfredini lives in Chicago with his wife and four children and runs the Edgebrook Ace Hardware and Villa Park Ace Hardware.

References

External links

*
Home Improvement Minutes

House Smarts TV

Lou Manfredini Recommends Perma-Seal
{{DEFAULTSORT:Manfredini, Lou 1964 births Living people Radio personalities from Chicago American television personalities