MEET THE JUDGES: Howie Mandel

Howie Mandel joined the judges' panel of 'America's Got Talent' in 2010

Canadian actor, comic and game show host Howie Mandel likes to joke that he took the job on “America’s Got Talent” to annoy fellow judge Piers Morgan.

“My goal is to get slapped on camera,” he told The New York Post. “Disagreeing with Piers annoys Piers, and I gravitate toward [the] silly sometimes.”

In 1978, Howie — who suffers from mysophobia (a fear of germs) — was selling carpet by day and performing stand up in local Toronto clubs by night.  A year later, after catching a break at L.A.’s Comedy Store, he was opening shows for David Letterman.

Howie, a distant cousin of Itzhak Perlman, has appeared in numerous films and TV series including a six year run on St. Elsewhere from 1982 – 1988.

“I watch television 24/7, and I watch everything,” he admits. “I love bad entertainment as much as I love good entertainment.”

Now 58, the former host of Deal or No Deal, continues to perform more than 200 live gigs a year.

Howie met his wife Terry in high school, and they married in 1980. They have three children: Jackie (1984), Riley (1992), Alex (1989).

Trivia

- Howie purchased a $6,000 toilet for his home that raises its lid automatically.

- He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame  [September 2008]

- Howie was hospitalized with chest pains and what was reported as a minor heart attack.  It turned out to be a false alarm.  [January 2009]

- Howie told Howard Stern that he shaved his head to make himself feel cleaner.   [March 2006]

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