Hilary Farr

Early life and education

Hilary Elizabeth Farr was born in Toronto, Ontario, on August 31, 1951, to a British mother and a Canadian father. Her mother was a member of the Church of England, while her father was Jewish, leading to Farr being raised with both Christian and Jewish religious traditions. Shortly after her birth, her family moved to London, England, where she spent her formative years. As a child, Farr attended the prestigious Royal Ballet School and initially aspired to a career as a ballerina, training there until the age of eleven. Her early interest in theatre and performance was complemented by an introduction to interior design, which began when she assisted her mother in decorating their family home in London.

Career beginnings in design and acting

Farr launched her professional career in Los Angeles, where she initially worked by purchasing, renovating, and selling residential properties. Alongside this real estate work, she found employment as a set designer for film and television productions, building a foundation in spatial aesthetics and practical construction. Her most recognizable film appearance was in the 1975 cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, where she played Betty Munroe, the bride whose bouquet is caught by Susan Sarandon's character, Janet Weiss. Farr has noted that prior to landing this role, she lived in the same building as one of the film's stars, Tim Curry.

Her acting work during this era included roles in films such as Layout for 5 Models (1972), Sex Farm (1973), and The Return (1980). In the early 1980s, she took on small parts in various television sitcoms while also working as a personal assistant for actor Ted Danson and producer Arthur Cohn. Farr's theatrical experience included performing on the London stage, where she played the roles of Betty Rizzo and the singing role of Marty in a production of Grease that co-starred Richard Gere as Danny Zucko. Decades later, in 2016, she returned to the stage in Toronto, appearing in Ross Petty's production of Sleeping Beauty at the Elgin Theatre in the villainous role of Malignicent.

Rise to prominence with Love It or List It

Hilary Farr's career shifted decisively toward television when she auditioned for a new Canadian home renovation series. She was the first person signed by Big Coat Productions (now Big Coat TV) for the dual role of co-host and designer on what would become Love It or List It. The show premiered on the W Network in Canada in September 2008, featuring Farr and realtor David Visentin. In each episode, Farr would renovate a family's current home to address their needs, while Visentin would attempt to convince them to purchase a new property he had found. The series quickly became a top performer for the network alongside its other original reality design programming.

The success of Love It or List It in Canada led to its acquisition by the international cable channel HGTV in 2011, dramatically expanding Farr's audience and making her a familiar face to viewers across North America. Her design philosophy on the show was characterized by a pragmatic and budget-conscious approach, often creatively solving spatial and structural problems within the constraints of the homeowners' wishes and the renovation budget. Farr remained a central figure on the program for fifteen seasons, building a renowned on-screen partnership with Visentin that was central to the show's appeal. She departed from her role as co-host in 2023, concluding a significant chapter in Canadian lifestyle television.

Business ventures and public advocacy

Beyond her television work, Hilary Farr has engaged in entrepreneurial and philanthropic activities. In 2017, she co-founded Rules of Renovation, a real estate investment seminar series aimed at aspiring property investors. The touring seminar was held at various locations across North America, where Farr and other experts shared insights on renovation strategies, property flipping, and investment principles drawn from her extensive hands-on experience. This venture allowed her to translate her television fame and design expertise into an educational platform for those interested in the business side of real estate. Farr has also been a vocal advocate for animal welfare and conservation efforts, and she volunteered with an organization in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2017 to help protect orphaned elephants.

In December 2021, Hilary Farr said she had been diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer in 2014. She had previously been diagnosed with a precancerous tumour in 2012, which she had surgically removed. A subsequent mammogram revealed Farr had developed malignant breast cancer. She underwent radiation therapy and further surgical intervention. Farr remains in remission as of 2022.

Selected filmography

Hilary Farr began her career in Los Angeles working as a home renovator and designing film and television sets. During this time, she occasionally worked as an actress under the name Hilary Labow. Her film appearances include minor roles in Layout for 5 Models (1972), Sex Farm (1973), and Legend of the Werewolf (1975). Her most notable film role was as Betty Munroe in the cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show in 1975.

Key career milestones

Hilary Farr is a British-Canadian designer, businesswoman, television host and former actress. She began her career in Los Angeles purchasing and renovating homes and working as a film and television set designer. She is best known as the former co-host of the HGTV reality television series Love It or List It with David Visentin. In 2017, she co-founded Rules of Renovation, a real estate investment seminar series held across North America.

• 1972: Began her professional acting career with a role in the film Layout for 5 Models.
• 1975: Appeared in the cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show as Betty Munroe.
• 1982: Married Canadian television producer Gordon Farr.
• 2008: Premiered as co-host and designer of Love It or List It on the W Network in September.
• 2011: Love It or List It was picked up for broadcast by HGTV, expanding its international audience.
• 2016: Returned to stage acting in Ross Petty's production of Sleeping Beauty in Toronto.
• 2017: Co-founded the Rules of Renovation real estate investment seminar series.
• 2023: Departed from her role as co-host of Love It or List It after fifteen seasons.

Personal life and health

Hilary Farr married Canadian television producer Gordon Farr in 1982. The couple welcomed a son in 1983. Farr has maintained a relatively private personal life, with much of her public persona centred on her professional design work and advocacy. Her shared health battle with breast cancer has been a notable exception, as she has spoken openly about her diagnosis, treatment, and recovery to encourage others. She divides her time between Canada and other locations, continuing her work in design and business following her departure from Love It or List It.

Hilary Farr was diagnosed with a precancerous tumour in 2012, which she had surgically removed. In 2014, she was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. Her treatment involved radiation therapy and further surgical intervention. As of 2022, she remains in remission. She publicly discussed these events in December 2021.

• 2012: Diagnosed with a precancerous tumour, which was surgically removed.
• 2014: Diagnosed with malignant breast cancer following a mammogram.
• 2014: Underwent radiation therapy and further surgical intervention for breast cancer.
• 2022: Reported being in remission from breast cancer.

Questions about Hilary Farr

Why did Hilary Farr leave Love It or List It?

Hilary Farr departed from her role as co-host and designer on Love It or List It in 2023 after fifteen seasons on the show. Her departure concluded a significant chapter for the series, which she had been a part of since its debut on the W Network in 2008. Farr's design work was a fundamental part of the program's format and popularity throughout her tenure. Her on-screen partnership with David Visentin was a key element of the show's success during her fifteen-year run.

What was Hilary Farr's role in The Rocky Horror Picture Show?

In the 1975 cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hilary Farr, credited under her maiden name Hilary Labow, played the small but memorable role of Betty Munroe. Her character is the bride seen at the beginning of the film who tosses her bouquet into a crowd. The bouquet is caught by the character Janet Weiss, played by Susan Sarandon. Farr has mentioned that she lived in the same building as star Tim Curry prior to getting the part.

Is Hilary Farr married and does she have children?

Hilary Farr was married to Canadian television producer Gordon Farr from 1982 until their divorce in 2008. During their marriage, they had one son, who was born in 1983. Since her divorce, Farr has kept details of her personal relationships private. Her public focus has remained largely on her career in design, television, and her business and advocacy work.

What is Hilary Farr's design background?

Hilary Farr's design background is largely self-taught and hands-on, beginning with her early career in Los Angeles purchasing and renovating homes. She also worked professionally as a set designer for film and television, which provided technical experience. Her practical approach was honed through these real-world projects long before her television career. On Love It or List It, she was known for solving structural and spatial problems creatively while adhering to strict budgets and client needs.

What has Hilary Farr said about her health?

In December 2021, Hilary Farr publicly shared that she was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer in 2014. This followed a 2012 diagnosis of a precancerous tumour, which was surgically removed. A subsequent mammogram revealed the development of malignant breast cancer, leading to treatment that included radiation therapy and further surgery. Farr has stated that she remains in remission as of 2022, and she has used her experience to promote awareness about cancer screening and treatment.

What business did Hilary Farr co-found?

Hilary Farr co-founded a real estate investment seminar series called Rules of Renovation in 2017. This business venture was created for aspiring investors and holds seminars at various locations across North America. This initiative demonstrates her expansion beyond television into the educational side of real estate and design. It was launched while she was still actively co-hosting the popular HGTV series Love It or List It. The seminar series capitalizes on her extensive experience in home renovation and real estate, knowledge she gained from years of purchasing and renovating properties herself.

Sources and further reading

• Hilary Farr (Wikipedia)
• Hilary Farr: Canada's Home Improvement Icon on ... (prospeakers.com)
• Hilary Farr: Movies, TV, and Bio (primevideo.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-20.