Howie Mandel Explained

Howie Mandel
Birth Date:29 November 1955
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Birth Name:Howard Michael Mandel
Medium:Stand-up, television, film, books
Genre:Observational comedy, improvisational comedy
Subject:Everyday life, self-deprecation
Active:1978–present
Children:3

Howard Michael Mandel (born November 29, 1955)[1] is a Canadian comedian, television personality, actor, and producer. Mandel is known for voicing Gizmo in the 1984 film Gremlins and the 1990 sequel , playing rowdy ER resident Dr. Wayne Fiscus on the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere, and creating and starring in the Fox children's cartoon Bobby's World. He has also been a judge on NBC's America's Got Talent since 2010, and Citytv's Canada's Got Talent since 2022. He hosted the American NBC and later CNBC game show Deal or No Deal, as well as the show's daytime and Canadian-English counterparts.

Early life and education

Mandel was born in Toronto and raised in the Bathurst Manor, Toronto neighborhood.[2] He is Jewish, and his ancestors emigrated from Romania and Poland. Mandel is a distant cousin of Israeli violinist Itzhak Perlman.[3] His father was a lighting manufacturer and a real estate magnate. Mandel attended William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute,[4] where he was expelled for impersonating a school official and hiring a construction company to build an addition to the school.[5] Afterwards, Mandel worked as a carpet salesman.[6] He was a stand-up comedian at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, and by September 1978 he had a week-long booking as a featured act, which was billed as "a wild and crazy borderline psychotic."[7]

On a trip to Los Angeles, Mandel performed a set at The Comedy Store, which resulted in his being hired as a regular performer. A producer for the syndicated comedy game show Make Me Laugh saw him there, and booked Mandel for several appearances during the show's run in 1979 and 1980. He was booked to open for David Letterman at shows in the summer of 1979.[8] CBC-TV's head of variety programming saw his performance in October 1979 and immediately signed him for a TV special. In 1980, he won the lead role in the Canadian movie Gas, co-starring Susan Anspach and Donald Sutherland. Mandel was one of the first "VeeJays" to appear on Nickelodeon's music video series PopClips.

Television and film career

Mandel came to national attention in the United States during a six-year run on St. Elsewhere, starting in 1982 and playing the role of Dr. Wayne Fiscus, opposite Ed Flanders and Norman Lloyd. He also appeared on a week's worth of episodes of the short-lived NBC game show Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour in March 1984. While working as Dr. Fiscus and continuing to work as a comedian, Mandel also worked in films, including providing the voice of Gizmo in the 1984 hit Gremlins and its 1990 sequel, .[9] In 1985, Mandel made a cameo in the Michael J. Fox directed short "The Iceman Hummeth," which was subsequently broadcast on Late Night with David Letterman in November 1985. In 1986, he starred in A Fine Mess alongside Ted Danson. He performed his stand-up comedy act in several cities (the Watusi Tour), which was followed by his Watusi music video in 1987. For the first two seasons of Muppet Babies, he voiced Bunsen Honeydew, Animal, and Skeeter. He starred alongside Amy Steel in the 1987 comedy film Walk Like a Man. He was also "Maurice" in the 1989 movie Little Monsters. In 1990, he starred in the short-lived sitcom Good Grief on Fox. He was also the creator and executive producer of the Emmy-nominated children's animated series Bobby's World (1990–1998) to which he supplied the voices of the title character and his father. Bobby's World ran for seven seasons on Fox and was later syndicated.

1992 saw the weekly airing of his self-titled comedy show Howie, with multiple guest stars such as Gilbert Gottfried and Little Richard and Lita Ford as the in-house band guitarist. His character Bobby made a regular appearance on the show.[10] In 1994, Mandel voiced the lead character, Little Howie, of the video game Tuneland. He starred in the sketch comedy series Howie Mandel's Sunny Skies in 1995 on Showtime. Mandel appeared in the 1995 Clint Black music video "Summer's Comin'." He played the lead role of the professor in the short-lived TV series The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys, and he guest-starred on a 1996 episode of the ABC TV series as DC Comics supervillain Mister Mxyzptlk. In 1998, he hosted his syndicated talk show, The Howie Mandel Show, which was canceled after one season. From 1999 to 2000, he played Jason in the film , was the voice of Jack in the movie The Tangerine Bear in 2000, and 2002 he played the Sand Man in the movie Hansel and Gretel. In 2006, he appeared as himself as a guest host in a parody of Deal or No Deal in the show-within-a-show of the TV series Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. In 2007, he guest-starred as himself in an episode of NBC's Medium and made a dream cameo of himself on Deal or No Deal. In that episode, he booted the nighttime drama's protagonist off for "cheating" since in the show, he is a psychic medium and appeared to "know" the contents of the cases. Mandel plays his alter ego, Phil Skorjanc, in most of his comedy shows, which are a fan favorite. Bobby also made a cameo appearance in a February 2007 episode of Deal or No Deal. On a special two-hour Christmas episode, first aired on December 25, 2007, Mandel delivered one line with Bobby's voice, as requested by the contestant.

Mandel's signature stunt as a stand-up comedian (besides his Bobby alter ego) was stretching a latex glove over his head, inflating it with his nostrils, and filling it until it suddenly propelled itself off his head. That trick also lent itself to the title and cover photo of his comedy album Fits Like a Glove (1986). He eventually gave up the routine under doctor's orders after being diagnosed with a perforated sinus. However, in a cameo role as himself on My Name Is Earl, he did the routine. He guest-starred in two episodes of Monk ("Mr. Monk Joins a Cult" and "Mr. Monk's 100th Case").

Additional appearances

Mandel is known for his frequent appearances as a comedian and for his hidden camera segments on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has appeared in many television commercials for Boston Pizza as their hired spokesperson. In April 2004, he appeared as number 82 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time. In October 2005, he was named to be the host of the US version of Deal or No Deal, which debuted on December 19, 2005, on NBC, and became a popular program in early 2006. Mandel also hosts Deal or No Deal Canada; originating from Toronto, Deal or No Deal Canada debuted in January 2007 on Global,[11] which made him one of the few game show hosts (Weakest Link's Anne Robinson, The Chairs John McEnroe, Pyramids Donny Osmond, The Singing Bees Joey Fatone, and Minute to Win Its Darren McMullen being others) to host both a domestic and an international version of the same game show. Mandel joins Alex Trebek, Jim Perry, and Geoff Edwards on the list of game show hosts who emceed one game show simultaneously in Canada and the United States.

In 2007, Mandel made an appearance in an episode of Sesame Street 38th season. That same year, he was parodied on the show as Howie Eats well, the Muppet host of Sesames game show segment "Meal or No Meal." Mandel has hosted the DVD game version of Deal or No Deal, "Fact or Crap Beat Da Bomb", and "Would You Rather" for Imagination Games.

Mandel had a cameo appearance as himself on the NBC show My Name Is Earl in the episode where Earl's roommates robbed an Indian casino at which Mandel was performing. While stealing money, they also kidnapped Mandel. In the episode, Mandel performed his old routine of inflating a rubber glove over his head with his nostrils.

Mandel is a notable alumnus of Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am's Hebrew School located in Toronto, as well as three other Toronto high schools.[12] Mandel is currently performing a variety/comedy act at the MGM Grand Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Starting in 2007, Mandel became a spokesperson for Internet retailer buy.com. He is sometimes featured in a section called "What's Shakin'?" with Mandel. On September 8, 2008, Mandel began hosting a five-day-a-week syndicated daytime version of Deal or No Deal, with a top prize of $500,000. On January 9, 2009, Mandel's reality show Howie Do It premiered on NBC.

On March 31, 2011, Mandel premiered a flash-mob show on Fox called Mobbed. Originally a presentation pilot, the ratings after American Idol prompted Fox to pick up the show for eight to ten episodes.[13]

On November 30, 2012, he hosted the NASCAR Sprint Cup Awards Ceremony. On December 10, 2012, his six-night special game show Take It All premiered.

He appeared in one episode of the animated series Fugget About It as the voice of FBI Agent Rick Chickmagnet in 2013.[14] From 2013 to 2014, Mandel executive-produced the TBS hidden-camera show Deal with It.[15] [16] He also regularly made appearances and co-hosted the show along with main host Theo Von.

In 2023, Mandel competed in season nine of The Masked Singer as "Rock Lobster". He was eliminated on "ABBA Night" alongside Debbie Gibson as "Night Owl".

Deal or No Deal

In 2003, while Mandel was deciding whether or not to quit show business, the executive producers at NBC asked him to host the show, but he declined many times. They then mailed him a tape of the overseas version and he finally accepted. In 2007, he hosted a five-episode run of the Canadian-English version Deal or No Deal Canada. The show then went to daytime with Mandel remaining as host, although Arsenio Hall was originally intended to host the show. In a January 2009 interview on Anytime with Bob Kushell, Mandel expressed mild, jovial frustration over how some of his contestants hold out during the game show, even though the grand prize is many times what they would make in a year.[17]

On March 12, 2018, it was announced that Mandel would host the 2018 CNBC revival of the game show and also become an executive producer.[18] The show premiered on December 3, 2018.

Mandel is one of three game show hosts to host the same game show in two different countries, the others being Donny Osmond for Pyramid in the US and the UK and Anne Robinson for The Weakest Link in the US and the UK.

In 2024, Mandel produced the reality game spin-off of Deal or No Deal titled Deal or No Deal Island. In the finale of the series, it was also revealed that he is the secretive banker who made offers to the contestants over the course of the game.

Got Talent

In January 2010, it was announced that Mandel would replace David Hasselhoff as one of the judges on NBC's America's Got Talent after Hasselhoff announced that he was leaving to work on a new television series.[19] Out of all judges on the show, Mandel currently has the longest tenure than any other judge or host, spanning fifteen consecutive seasons (season 5–present).

In October 2021, it was announced that Mandel will be a judge on the second season of Canada's Got Talent, which aired in 2022.[20]

Howie Mandel Does Stuff

Since February 2021, Mandel has hosted the Howie Mandel Does Stuff Podcast with his daughter, Jackelyn Shultz, as co-host. According to the Apple Podcasts preview: "Together, these two make prank calls, discuss pop culture, interview interesting people, say weird things, chat with listeners, get deep..."[21]

Bullsh*t: The Game Show

On April 27, 2022, Netflix released the 10-episode debut season of with Mandel as the host of the program. It was Mandel's first game show since the cancellation of the Deal or No Deal revival on CNBC in 2019. In this game show contestants have a chance to win up to $1,000,000 by answering a series of trivia questions but have to also be able to convince ("bullshit") a group of prospective challengers that the answer they give is right, even if it's not. (The contestant is shown whether or not their answer is correct as soon as they choose it.) After explaining their reasoning, the judges will vote on whether they think the contestant is "bullshitting" (lying), or telling the truth. At a certain time after they are done convincing the judges, Mandel will ask the contestant if their answer is correct, or if they were "bullshitting." If the contestant's answer is correct (or if it's incorrect, but they successfully convinced at least one judge that they were telling the truth), they win and move on to the question. If they lie and none of the three judges buy it, they are removed from the game. The next contestant is the judge who most accurately guessed whether or not the contestant was truthful during each question.[22]

Personal life and health

Mandel has been married to Terry Mandel (née Soil) since 1980. Together, they have three children: daughters Jackie and Riley and son Alex.[23]

On September 4, 2008, Mandel received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Comedy Central listed him as No. 82 on their list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time.[24]

Mandel received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto. The induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2009.[25]

In October 2008, Mandel revealed that he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the morning talk show Live with Regis and Kelly, adding that he is currently working to raise adult ADHD awareness among the general public. On January 12, 2009, Mandel was reportedly sent to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto suffering from chest pains and what was reported as a minor heart attack. According to various news reports, he was experiencing an irregular heartbeat, but the reports were later revealed as inaccurate. He was later discharged.[26] Mandel has written and published an in-depth autobiography which details his life with OCD, ADHD, and comedy called .

Mandel is a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.[27] [28]

Mandel is colorblind[29] and a germaphobe. He contracted COVID-19 at the 2022 Kids' Choice Awards, which caused him to miss parts of the third, eighth, and tenth episodes, and the entire seventh episode of the seventeenth season of America's Got Talent. It also led to physical and mental health struggles,[30] including drug and substance abuse.[31]

Mandel lives in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles.[32]

Obsessive compulsive disorder

Mandel has spoken publicly about having obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), which can take many forms, including mysophobia.[33] [34] Mandel's anxiety affects him to the point that he does not shake hands with anyone, including enthusiastic contestants on Deal or No Deal unless he is wearing latex gloves. Instead of shaking contestants' hands when they offer them, Mandel often opts to exchange fist bumps, put his hands on contestants' shoulders, or give an occasional hug. He once kissed a female contestant on the show for good luck despite his disorder. He now takes medicine to control his condition and even pokes fun at himself for it. On March 24, 2006, he revealed on The Howard Stern Show that his shaved head is not related to natural hair loss but OCD. He stated that the lack of hair makes him feel cleaner.[35] In the back yard of Mandel's house is a second, smaller house which he had built especially to live in solitude when a family member is sick.[36] During his appearance on Mad TV, Mandel and cast member Bobby Lee made fun of Mandel's condition. Mandel also confronted his germophobia in Season 4, Episode 1 of the Comedy Central series This Is Not Happening. The show aired on February 3, 2018.[37]

Mandel has reported a pivotal childhood experience during a family vacation in Florida that may have caused the manifestation of his mysophobia. During this trip, a sandfly laid its eggs in him, leading to the development of larvae that could be seen moving around just beneath the surface of his skin. The removal process was accompanied by considerable discomfort, with a dermatologist using liquid nitrogen to eliminate some of the larvae, and the rest being scrubbed out by his mother at home. The ordeal of discovering organisms growing beneath his skin left a profound impact on Mandel, who was only seven or eight years old at the time. Mandel says that recalling the event often evokes the sensation of organisms attempting to crawl underneath his skin.[38] [39]

Notes and References

  1. News: UPI Almanac for Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. . November 29, 2019. January 11, 2020 . December 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191224110508/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2019/11/29/UPI-Almanac-for-Friday-Nov-29-2019/6411574957229//. live. …comedian Howie Mandel in 1955.
  2. News: Howie Mandel's very big Deal . The Globe and Mail .
  3. News: New Afternoon Arrival . Los Angeles Times . June 21, 1998 . July 24, 2014 . Brownfield, Paul.
  4. Web site: Deal or No Deal Howie Mandel . GSN Press Room . 2006 . May 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150625204823/http://corp.gsn.com/bios/howie_mandel . June 25, 2015 . dead.
  5. Web site: Howie Mandel tours the playground. CBC Archives. CBC. January 26, 2018.
  6. Web site: Howie Mandel. The Canadian Encyclopedia. January 26, 2018.
  7. [Toronto Star]
  8. Toronto Star, July 19, 1979, p. C6
  9. Web site: Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch Hit Blu-ray! Check Out Some Clips - Dread Central. May 9, 2012. Dread Central. June 4, 2016.
  10. Web site: Howie. March 2, 2019. IMDb. July 1992.
  11. Web site: Deal or No Deal, eh? . Canada.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071015120401/http://canada.com/globaltv/globalshows/et_story.html?id=fe168ca7-8b94-45ea-a76a-9b487f1690ef&k=78245 . October 15, 2007 .
  12. Web site: Howie Mandel to headline ICRF gala . Canadian Jewish News . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20050426161719/http://www.cjnews.com/pastIssues/00/apr6-00/tab/tab1.htm . April 26, 2005 .
  13. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mobbed-idUSTRE73073120110401 "Network orders Howie Mandel's "Mobbed".' to series"
  14. Web site: Fugget About It (TV Series 2012–2016). IMDb. February 18, 2018.
  15. Web site: Prank TV show sued for $100,000 . March 17, 2014 . February 3, 2014 . Matt Reynolds . Entertainment Law Digest . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407060254/http://www.entlawdigest.com/2014/02/03/2934.htm . April 7, 2014 . dead .
  16. Web site: TBS Orders Howie Mandel Hidden Camera Series, Mark Burnett Game Show . March 17, 2014 . January 11, 2013 . Deadline . Nellie Andreeva.
  17. Anytime with Bob Kushell feat. Howie Mandel . Anytime with Bob Kushell . January 15, 2009 . 1 . 5.
  18. Web site: CNBC Greenlights 'Deal Or No Deal' Reboot With Howie Mandel. Denise. Petski. March 13, 2018. Deadline. March 2, 2019.
  19. Web site: Howie Mandel Joins America's Got Talent. January 10, 2010. TV Guide. June 4, 2016.
  20. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2021/10/26/howie-mandel-lilly-singh-among-judges-set-for-canadas-got-talent.html "Howie Mandel, Lilly Singh among judges set for 'Canada's Got Talent'"
  21. Web site: Howie Mandel Does Stuff Podcast . Apple Podcasts . December 9, 2021.
  22. Web site: Keller . Joel . April 28, 2022 . Stream it or skip it: Bullsh*t the Gameshow on Netflix, where people can win a lot of money if they're really good liars . www.decider.com . May 2, 2022 . en-US.
  23. News: Cohen. Bari Nan. Man of the House: Howie Mandel. September 1, 2017. Good Housekeeping. February 9, 2009.
  24. Web site: General Archives Hollywood.com. Hollywood.com. June 4, 2016.
  25. Web site: The Stars Align at the 12th Annual Canada's Walk of Fame . June 16, 2009 . Canada's Walk of Fame . June 16, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090620081814/http://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/news/the-stars-align-12th-annual-canadas-walk-fame . June 20, 2009 . mdy-all .
  26. News: Game show host Howie Mandel out of hospital. CNN. January 13, 2009 . May 4, 2010.
  27. Web site: Wilson . William . October 13, 2014 . Will Arnett tells us why the Toronto Maple Leafs are the best in the NHL . www.tipofthetower.com . May 5, 2022 . en-US.
  28. News: Buffery . Steve . January 18, 2013 . Leafs have star power . www.torontosun.com . May 5, 2022 . en.
  29. Web site: Man of the House: Howie Mandel. Bari Nan Cohen. February 8, 2009. March 10, 2017.
  30. Web site: April 27, 2022 . Howie Mandel Says Contracting COVID Sent Him into Mental Health Crisis . www.tmz.com . May 26, 2020 .
  31. Web site: Comedian Howie Mandel Admits 'Covid F*cked Me Up' While Describing Having OCD and Turning to Drink and Smoking Weed to Get Through Pandemic. Mediaite. Ortiz. Candice. May 23, 2022. May 23, 2022. en.
  32. Web site: Agate . Samantha . December 10, 2021 . Howie Mandel's house: Photos of His California Home . www.closerweekly.com . May 16, 2022 . en-US.
  33. Web site: Howie Mandel 'Deals' Publicly With OCD. December 1, 2009. ABC News. July 27, 2017.
  34. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th edition.
  35. http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?d=1143176400 HALLE THE HUMORLESS
  36. Web site: Howie Mandel Talks About Living With OCD. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/dSZNnz9SM4g . December 21, 2021 . live. ABC News. YouTube. November 29, 2009.
  37. Web site: This Is Not Happening - Filth. https://web.archive.org/web/20180205035928/http://www.cc.com/episodes/9fbjfz/this-is-not-happening-filth-season-4-ep-401. dead. February 5, 2018. Comedy Central. February 2, 2018. February 18, 2018.
  38. Web site: Posted . Mike Stimpson . 2009-12-12 . Howie Mandel's first book more than just germ fears . 2023-09-11 . . en-US.
  39. Web site: ROB SCHNEIDER SHAKES HOWIE MANDEL'S HAND. M.youtube.com. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/5PEZ1tzaUdQ . December 21, 2021 . live. July 20, 2017.
  40. Web site: Marshall Faulk attacks Howie Mandel. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/nUT2G4Rb92o . December 21, 2021 . live. YouTube. December 5, 2015.
  41. Web site: Video – MySpace Video . MySpace . August 4, 2010 . dead . http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20090630043049/http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=28247050 . June 30, 2009 . mdy-all .
  42. Web site: Dan Sperry America's Got Talent Howie Floss Freak out!. YouTube. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Xg49ZzC4m_I . December 21, 2021 . live. February 20, 2019.
  43. Web site: Frank Olivier, 50 ~ America's Got Talent 2011, LA Auditions. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/meXexacT3hI . December 21, 2021 . live. August 2, 2011. July 27, 2017. YouTube.
  44. Web site: Double Take host Chris Jones shakes up the prank shows. Cynopsis.com. October 15, 2018 . March 2, 2019.
  45. Web site: Howie Mandel says 'AGT' hypnotism didn't cure him, it sent him to therapy. Hines. Ree. Today. May 27, 2015.
  46. Web site: Pasquini . Maria . April 3, 2020 . Howie Mandel announces new charity and gaming project to aid in the fight against coronavirus . www.people.com . April 4, 2022 . en-US.
  47. Web site: Howie Mandel . www.letstalk.bell.ca . April 4, 2022 . en.
  48. 2022-09-19 . Howie Mandel Judges My Friend's Talents | All Good Things |trans-title= |type=Video |language= |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ByhAE4q6EY |access-date=2023-09-11 |publisher=Jason Nash |via= YouTube}}

    While guest-hosting on Live with Regis and Kelly in 2005, Mandel had an altercation in which his hand was seized by guest Rob Schneider, who condescendingly teased Mandel, stating he needed to 'get over' his phobia. Host Kelly Ripa admonished Schneider on-air, while also obtaining hand sanitizer for Mandel from an audience member.[39]

    In September 2007, Mandel interviewed former NFL running back Marshall Faulk on NFL Network. Faulk asked him to shake hands, but Mandel refused, noting he would rather have the fist tap, as he does with Deal or No Deal contestants. Seconds later, Faulk subjected him to a "sneak attack" and shook his right hand. Mandel screamed and walked away from Faulk. He then washed his hands several times.[40] On a guest appearance on Free Radio, Mandel explained that not only is he afraid of public bathrooms, but he is unable to use any bathroom other than his own.[41]

    During the ninth episode of season 5 of America's Got Talent in Chicago, contestant Zach Carty attempted an act involving sneezing. Mandel pressed his X button at the beginning of the act and ran into an aisle until the act was over. Carty was unable to perform the act. Mandel kept yelling at the other judges, Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne, to press their X buttons and for the audience to turn in his direction. Morgan eventually pressed the X button, but Osbourne refused, so Mandel promptly ran over and pressed her button, ending the act. In a backstage interview, he expressed to the television audience that he receives therapy to help him cope.

    In another America's Got Talent season 5 incident, Dan Sperry, a contestant on the YouTube quarterfinal depicted in episodes 21 and 22, dropped some dental floss that he had run through his neck as part of a magic act. He dropped the floss in Mandel's vicinity, prompting him to get up and run to the other side of the judges' table.[42] Just before Sperry's next performance in the semifinals, Mandel admitted that it was "the most horrified" he'd been on the show and that his therapist "loves [Dan Sperry]" because there had been two extra sessions that week.

    During the premiere of season 6, juggler Frank Olivier grabbed Mandel's head to balance himself during a unicycle act. Despite receiving a buzzer from Mandel, Olivier moved on to the next round. Mandel refused to give Olivier any feedback during the judge's voting process.[43]

    During AGT 10th-season premiere, contestant Chris Jones[44] directly utilized Mandel's fear of germs as the subject of his hypnotism act. Under the post-hypnotic suggestion that Jones and the other judges were wearing latex gloves, Mandel shook the bare hands of all involved, which elicited shouts of amazement. After viewing the video of the act, Mandel said that he was "upset" and "somewhat betrayed" by the act, but his therapist subsequently said it was a good thing.[45] Jones progressed to the Judge's Cuts where he was eliminated from the competition.

    Mandel commented in 2011 that he has struggled with the condition since childhood but did not seek help until he was an adult:

    Philanthropy

    Mandel started his charitable foundation called Breakout the Masks, which helps provide personal protective equipment to healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.[46] He is also involved in Bell's Let's Talk Day initiatives to help people struggling with mental health issues.[47]

    Filmography

    Film

    Film
    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1981GasMatt Lloyd
    1983data-sort-value="Funny Farm, The" The Funny FarmLarry Pound
    1984GremlinsGizmoVoice
    1985Where Did I Come From?NarratorVideo short
    1986data-sort-value="Fine Mess, A" A Fine MessDennis Powell
    1987Walk Like a ManRobert "Bobo" Shand
    1989Little MonstersMaurice
    1990GizmoVoice
    1994Magic Kid 2Moe
    2000TribulationJason Quincy
    data-sort-value="Tangerine Bear, The" The Tangerine BearJackVoice
    Spin CycleCody
    2002Hansel and GretelThe Sandman
    2004Pinocchio 3000Spencer T. PenguinVoice
    2007Room ServiceJoe BurnsShort film
    2012CommittedHimselfDocumentary
    Director
    NoahInwarVoice
    2013When Jews Were FunnyHimselfDocumentary
    2014Gone South: How Canada Invented HollywoodDocumentary
    2015Being CanadianDocumentary
    2017Where Have You Gone, Lou DiMaggio?Documentary
    GilbertDocumentary
    Killing HasselhoffUncredited
    On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and PopiDocumentary
    Executive producer
    2019I Am Richard PryorHimselfDocumentary
    Christmas MagicVideo short
    2020Howie Mandel: But, Enough About MeDocumentary
    Original title: The Howie Mandel Project
    John Pinette: I Go NowDocumentary
    2022Chop & SteeleDocumentary

    Television

    Television
    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1982–1988St. ElsewhereDr. Wayne Fiscus137 episodes
    1984Match Game/Hollywood Squares HourHimselfPanelist
    School HimselfTV movie
    data-sort-value="Princess Who Had Never Laughed, The" The Princess Who Had Never LaughedWeinerhead Waldo
    Welcome to the Fun ZoneTV movie
    Writer
    1984–1985Muppet BabiesSkeeter/Animal/BunsenVoice
    26 Episodes
    1985Howie Mandel: Live from Carnegie MallHimselfExecutive producer
    Writer
    Little Muppet MonstersEpisode 1: "In the Beginning"
    1985–1986Faerie Tale TheatreWienerhead Waldo/Guest Interviewee2 Episodes
    1986data-sort-value="Young Comedians All-Star Reunion, The" The Young Comedians All-Star ReunionHimself Writer - Uncredited
    David Letterman's 2nd Annual Holiday Film FestivalLocker Room GuySegment: "The Iceman Hummeth"
    Uncredited
    1987Howie from MauiHimselfTV movie
    Executive producer
    Writer
    1990Carol & CompanySteveSeason 1 episode 7: "Myna and the Messenger"
    Mother Goose Rock 'n' RhymeHumpty DumptyTV movie
    1990–1991Good GriefErnie LapidusMain
    13 Episodes
    1990–1998Bobby's WorldVarious Roles81 episodes
    Executive producer
    1991Howie and RoseHowie NewmanTV pilot
    1992HowieVariousExecutive producer
    data-sort-value="Amazing Live Sea Monkeys, The" The Amazing Live Sea MonkeysThe Professor11 episodes
    Executive producer
    1993David CopperfieldMealy (Dog)TV movie
    Voice
    1994In Search of Dr. SeussSam-I-AmVoice
    Television movie
    1995Interior DecoratorSeason 3 episode 9: "Every Mother's Son"
    data-sort-value="Ben Stiller Show, The" The Ben Stiller ShowHimselfUncredited
    Episode 13: "ZooTV at Night"
    Howie Mandel's Sunny SkiesHimselfDirector
    Executive producer (2 episodes)
    Host (2 episodes)
    Writer (1 episode)
    HighjackerTV short
    Executive producer
    Hello ThereTV movie
    Executive producer
    BrunchTV short
    Executive producer
    1996Bless This HouseStuart WylerEpisode 16: "Natural Born Parents"
    Mr. MxyzptlkSeason 4 episode 11: "Twas the Night Before Mxymas"
    1997data-sort-value="Outer Limits, The" The Outer LimitsKarl DurandSeason 3 episode 2: "Second Thoughts"
    1998data-sort-value="Nanny, The" The NannyHowie MandelSeason 6 episode 8: "Making Whoopi"
    1998–1999data-sort-value="Howie Mandel Show, The" The Howie Mandel ShowHostExecutive producer
    Writer
    Segment director (1 episode)
    1999Sunset Beach"Jerry Show" AnnouncerEpisode #1.560
    Jackie's Back!HimselfTV movie
    2000Timothy Tweedle the First Christmas ElfCometTV movie
    2001Spinning Out of ControlMarty LevinneTV movie
    2002–2003Hollywood SquaresHimselfCenter square
    25 episodes
    2003Untitled Howie Mandel ProjectTV movie
    2004Crown HeightsRabbi
    2005Hidden Howie: The Private Life of a Public NuisanceHimselfExecutive producer
    Punk'dExecutive producer - Season 6 episode 3: "David Boreanaz, Kristin Cavallari & Terrell Owens"
    2005–2019Deal or No DealHost
    2006Las VegasHimselfSeason 3 episode 16: "Coyote Ugly"
    MADtvHimselfSeason 12 episode 2
    Studio 60 on the Sunset StripHimselfEpisode 10: "B-12"
    data-sort-value="Great American Christmas, The" The Great American ChristmasNarratorTV movie
    data-sort-value="Great Polar Bear Adventure, The" The Great Polar Bear AdventurePupaVoice
    TV movie
    2007MediumHimselfSeason 3 episode 21: "Heads Will Roll"
    WWE RawHimselfSeason 15 episode 9
    Deal or No Deal CanadaHost
    data-sort-value="Bronx Bunny Show, The" The Bronx Bunny ShowHimselfSeason 1 episode 6
    Sesame StreetHimselfSeason 38 episode 9: "Sleeping Grouchy"
    My Name Is EarlHimselfSeason 3 episode 4: "The Frank Factor"
    2008Free RadioHimselfSeason 1 episode 3: "The New Intern"
    MonkRalph Roberts2 episodes
    2009Howie Do ItHostMain
    19 Episodes
    2010data-sort-value="Marriage Ref, The" The Marriage RefHimselfPanelist
    Season 1 episode 12: "Howie Mandel/Bette Midler/Craig Robinson"
    data-sort-value="Dating Guy, The" The Dating GuyBrian BooyahVoice
    2 episodes
    2010–presentAmerica's Got TalentJudgeSeason 5–Present
    2011Flipping DixieExecutive producer
    Take Two with Phineas and FerbHimselfEpisode: "Howie Mandel"
    America's Most Wanted: America Fights BackHimselfVoice
    Season 25 episode 1: "50 Fugitives, 50 States Special Edition"
    2011–2013MobbedHostCo-creator
    Executive producer
    2012What Would You Do?HimselfSeason 6
    episode 3
    data-sort-value="Big Bang Theory, The" The Big Bang TheoryHimselfUncredited
    Season 6 episode 4: "The Re-Entry Minimization"
    Take It AllHost
    D.L. Hughley: The Endangered ListHimself
    2013Betty White's Off Their RockersHimselfSeason 2 episode 9
    Howie Mandel & Germ-Free FriendsHost
    Fugget About ItFBI Agent Rick Chickmagnet Voice
    Season 2 episode 8: "The Fugly American"
    2013–2014Deal with ItHimselfGuest comedian - 4 episodes
    Executive producer
    2014Pioneers of TelevisionHimselfSeason 4 episode 2: "Doctors and Nurses"
    Joke or ChokeExecutive producer
    Last Comic StandingHimselfGuest mentor
    Season 8 episode 10: "Challenge 3 - Universal Tram Experience"
    2015TankedHimselfSeason 9 episode 1: "Howie Mandel is the Brains Behind ATM"
    7 Days in HellPrince Edward, Duke of KentTV movie
    Impractical JokersHimselfSeason 4 episode 24: "Live Punishment Special"
    Yidlife CrisisHimselfEpisode: "Yidlife Crisis vs. Howie Mandel"
    2016Roadtrip NationHimselfEpisode: "Being You"
    2017Small ShotsSy2 episodes
    SuperstoreHimselfSeason 3 episode 1: "Grand Re-Opening"
    Caraoke ShowdownExecutive producer
    2017–2020Funny You Should AskHimself57 Episodes
    2018This Is Not HappeningHimselfWriter
    Season 4 episode 1: "Filth"
    Robot ChickenHimselfVoice
    Season 9 episode 7: "3 2 1 2 3 3 3, 2 2 2, 3...6 6?"
    Game ChangersHimselfDocumentary
    Inside JokesHimselfDocu-series
    2 episodes
    2018–2019Howie Mandel's Animals Doing ThingsHimselfDirector
    Executive Producer
    2019Howie Mandel Presents: Howie Mandel at the Howie Mandel Comedy ClubHimselfTV special
    Executive producer
    Writer
    data-sort-value="X Factor: Celebrity, The" Guest JudgeAuditions
    Harley QuinnHimselfVoice
    Season 1 episode 2: "A High Bar"
    2019–2020Judge
    2020data-sort-value="Search for Canada's Game Shows, The" The Search for Canada's Game ShowsHimselfDocu-series
    2021The Game Theory $1,000,000 Challenge for St. JudeHimselfHost
    2022HostNetflix game show
    2022–presentCanada's Got TalentJudgeSeason 2–present
    2023Judge
    data-sort-value="Masked Singer, The" The Masked SingerHimself/Rock LobsterSeason 9 contestant
    Game ChangerGuest Judge1 episode
    2024Judge
    Stupid Pet TricksHimselfSeason 1 episode 9: "Fart Scapegoat"

    Comedy specials

    Specials
    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1983data-sort-value="First Howie Mandel Special, The" The First Howie Mandel SpecialHimselfProducer
    Writer
    1987Howie from MauiHimselfExecutive producer
    Writer
    1997Howie Mandel on IceHimselfExecutive producer
    Writer
    2006Howie Mandel LiveHimselfWriter

    Video games

    Film
    YearTitleRoleNotes
    1993TuneLand - Starring Howie MandelLil' Howie/SelfVoice
    1995Great Word AdventureLil' Howie
    1996Great Reading Adventure
    Great Math Adventure
    2006Deal or No DealHost
    2015Lego DimensionsGizmoVoice

    External links

    .