Jonathan Scott

Early life and education

Jonathan Scott was born four minutes before his twin brother, Drew, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has an older brother, JD, and is the second son of Jim, a former actor and stuntman, and Joanne, a paralegal. The family moved to a horse farm in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, where his father worked as a youth counsellor. From a young age, Jonathan and Drew were encouraged to work, starting a business with their mother making clothes hangers at age seven. Their early entrepreneurial efforts expanded to performing as child clowns in local parades, a job that paid up to $100 per hour. Jonathan's childhood fascination with a magic show led him to study illusion seriously by age 10, crafting his own props and eventually winning awards through organisations like the Vancouver Magic Circle.

His practical skills were honed alongside his father, who paid the boys to help with building and repairing fences, decks, and barns from the age of eight. At 14, Jonathan moved to Alberta with his father to begin constructing the family's dream home, an experience that solidified his interest in construction. He adopted the stage name Jonathan Silver during this period. After his grades suffered, he returned to Maple Ridge to complete high school at Thomas Haney Secondary School, where he was active in theatre and student government. Following graduation, the family moved into the newly built Alberta home as the twins left for university in Calgary.

Early business and magic career

Scott enrolled at the University of Calgary, majoring in business management, while he and Drew began investing in real estate. During their first semester, they purchased a seven bedroom property near campus with a minimal down payment, renovated it, and sold it a year later for a $50,000 profit. This successful 'flip' launched a side business of buying, renovating, and selling homes. Concurrently, Scott pursued magic professionally, moving to Vancouver at 19 to build large scale illusions for a planned touring show. A devastating setback occurred when another magician rented and then stole his entire illusion production, leaving Scott $80,000 in debt and forcing him to file for bankruptcy. He kept this failure from his parents and, on Drew's suggestion, took a job as a WestJet flight attendant to support himself while continuing to flip houses.

To formalise his construction knowledge, Scott studied at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the Professional Home Builders Institute, becoming a licensed contractor. In 2007, Scott married his fiancée. The following year, seeing opportunity in the collapsed American real estate market, he convinced his brother JD to move with them to Las Vegas, Nevada. There, Scott opened a third branch of their real estate company, focusing on leasing properties at below market rates to help renters during the recession. The move also reignited his proximity to live entertainment venues, allowing him to explore a return to magic performance.

Rise to television fame

The twins' transition to television began when Drew was approached for a potential show called Realtor Idol. Although that project did not proceed, producers developed a concept around the twin brothers, one a realtor and one a contractor. This became the pilot for Property Brothers, which was initially rejected by multiple networks before being picked up for a full season by Canada's W Network in 2011. After becoming the network's top rated show, it was distributed by HGTV in the United States. The show's format, featuring the brothers helping families find, purchase, and transform fixer upper properties, resonated widely, leading to several spin offs. These include Buying and Selling (2012), Brother vs. Brother (2013), and Property Brothers: Forever Home (2019).

As their television commitments grew, the brothers delegated their private client work and focused on production. In 2010, they rebranded their earlier film production company as Scott Brothers Entertainment, a full service TV, film, and digital production company with offices in the US and Canada. A significant personal project became the basis for another series, Property Brothers: At Home (2014). The brothers jointly purchased a foreclosed home in Las Vegas in 2011, with Scott living there alone for three years before starting a US$2 million renovation documented for the show. This series was the first production under their Scott Brothers Entertainment banner, solidifying their role as producers of their own content.

Business ventures and publishing

Beyond television, Jonathan and Drew have built a substantial brand through various business ventures. In 2015, they launched the Scott Living outdoor furniture line on QVC, which expanded to include indoor furnishings and is sold at major retailers like Lowe's and Costco. By the end of 2016, the brand's revenues exceeded $100 million. An extension called Dream Homes offers luxury, custom architectural and design services for high budget projects. The brothers have also authored several books. Their first, the home improvement guide Dream Home (2016), debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list. This was followed by a memoir, It Takes Two: Our Story (2017), and a series of illustrated children's books, Builder Brothers: Big Plans (2018) and Builder Brothers: Better Together (2019).

Scott is a vocal advocate for renewable energy. Around the year 2000, he converted a home to wind power, and his current Las Vegas residence runs on solar energy. In 2016, he participated in the 24 Hours of Reality broadcast and began work on a documentary series about North American energy. He released an ebook, Knowledge is Power, in 2019 through The Climate Reality Project, educating consumers on integrating solar power. The brothers frequently appear as guest speakers at industry events like the Realscreen Summit and CES, and are regular guests on talk shows including Today and Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote their ventures.

Music and performance

Jonathan's performance background extends to music. He and Drew, credited as The Scott Brothers, recorded two country singles for their series Property Brothers: At Home on the Ranch. Their first single, 'Hold On', reached number 38 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart in 2016. A third single, 'My House' featuring Eric Paslay, was released in 2017 with proceeds donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The music opened doors for them to present at the Grand Ole Opry and host a show at the CMA Music Fest. In acting, Scott had minor television roles in his youth, appearing on Breaker High and The X Files. He served on the executive board of ACTRA, the Canadian actors' union, for years.

Magic remains a lifelong passion. Inspired by David Copperfield, Scott has been a member of the International Brotherhood of Magicians for over two decades. After moving to Las Vegas, he performed in shows at venues like the Laugh Factory and has created illusions for other magicians. He occasionally performs tricks during media appearances or charity events and has expressed a desire to return to magic more fully. His early experience with comedy and crowd work, noted in recent sources, contributed to his ease as a television host.

Recent developments and public image

In 2026, Jonathan Scott is developing a new daytime talk show. CBS Media Ventures is involved in the project, and Scott has indicated shooting a pilot, with an announcement tied to a date in June 2026. This venture represents an expansion of his on screen work beyond the home improvement genre into broader conversation and entertainment. He remains active in television production and is listed in credits for projects into 2026, such as The Dresden Sun. Scott and his brother are known for their humorous, sibling rivalry dynamic on screen, which has become a signature part of their public image. They have leveraged this popularity for guest appearances on shows like Hell's Kitchen and Playing House, and for hosting special events like Carnival cruises.

The brothers maintain a significant presence in Las Vegas, where Jonathan lives in a home co owned with Drew. Their production company, Scott Brothers Entertainment, continues to create content for North American and international broadcasters. Their brand also includes a magazine, Reveal, launched in 2020. Despite numerous offers, Jonathan has declined participation in shows like The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars, citing scheduling conflicts and personal preference, though he made a surprise appearance during his brother's performance on the latter.

Questions about Jonathan Scott

Is Jonathan Scott married?

Jonathan Scott was married in July 2007. The notes indicate that by 2011, he was separated from his wife. He moved to Las Vegas with his then wife and brother JD in December 2008. His current relationship status is not detailed in the public records provided.

What is Jonathan Scott's new talk show?

As of 2026, Jonathan Scott is developing a daytime talk show. CBS Media Ventures is involved in the project. Scott has mentioned shooting a pilot and made an announcement related to the show in June 2026. The show is described as being built around great conversations, practical home tips, and inspiring stories, marking a new direction in his television career.

Where was Jonathan Scott born?

Jonathan Scott was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was born on 28 April 1978, four minutes before his twin brother Drew. He grew up in the nearby town of Maple Ridge, British Columbia, where his family moved to a horse farm. He is a Canadian television personality.

What is Jonathan Scott's educational background?

Jonathan Scott enrolled at the University of Calgary, majoring in business management. He later transferred to the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and the Professional Home Builders Institute to study construction and design. Through these studies, he became licensed as a contractor. His education combined business with practical construction skills.

How did Jonathan Scott start his career in real estate and renovation?

During his first semester at university, Jonathan and his brother Drew purchased a seven bedroom property. They made a $250 down payment using a vendor take back mortgage. They cleaned, repaired, and sublet rooms for profit, selling the house a year later for a $50,000 profit. This began their long term practice of flipping homes.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-19.