You know Howie Mandel as the guy who keeps his hands to himself on America’s Got Talent — literally. But behind the judge’s desk is a man who has spent decades balancing a wildly successful career with a very private battle: obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADHD.
Born: November 29, 1955 ·
Known for: America’s Got Talent judge, voice of Gizmo ·
Diagnosed with: OCD and ADHD ·
Married to: Terry Mandel (since 1980) ·
Net worth: $60 million (estimated)
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with OCD and ADHD (EBSCO Research Starters — academic database)
- Married to Terry Soil since 1980 (Wikipedia — free encyclopedia)
- Three children: Alex, Jackie, Riley (IMDb — film database)
- Exact nature of Simon Cowell’s son’s medical condition (CelebrityNetWorth — finance estimator)
- Detailed current health status of Simon Cowell beyond his 2020 accident (CelebrityNetWorth — finance estimator)
- Estimated net worth $60 million — figure varies by source (CelebrityNetWorth — finance estimator)
- August 2026: Simon Cowell misses AGT live shows for back surgery (USA Today — major news outlet)
- 2020: Cowell breaks his back in e-bike accident (People — celebrity news magazine)
- Mandel continues as AGT judge; health vigilance remains part of his public life
- Simon Cowell’s recovery and return to AGT will be watched closely
Six key facts about Howie Mandel, one pattern: his public persona hides a set of private battles that have shaped his every move.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Howard Michael Mandel |
| Date of Birth | November 29, 1955 |
| Occupation | Comedian, TV personality, actor, producer |
| Known Diagnosis | Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), ADHD |
| Spouse | Terry Mandel (m. 1980) |
| Children | Alex, Jackie, Riley |
What was Howie Mandel diagnosed with?
What is Howie Mandel’s OCD?
- Mandel has publicly described his OCD as centering on germophobia and ritualistic behaviors. He has said his anxiety is so severe that he does not shake hands without wearing gloves (EBSCO Research Starters — academic database).
- He wrote a 2009 autobiography titled Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me, which lays out his struggles (EBSCO Research Starters — academic database).
Mandel’s germophobia is so extreme that he avoids handshakes entirely — yet he spends his career in front of live audiences, shaking hands with contestants and fans on television. The tension between his condition and his profession defines his public image.
Does Howie Mandel have ADHD?
- Yes. Mandel has confirmed that he was diagnosed with ADHD alongside OCD (EBSCO Research Starters — academic database).
How does Howie Mandel manage his conditions?
- He has been open about undergoing therapy and taking medication. His wife Terry reportedly gave him an ultimatum that pushed him to seek professional help (Entertainment Weekly — entertainment news magazine).
The implication: Mandel’s success is not despite his diagnosis — it’s partly because he learned to manage it with the support of his family and medical professionals.
What has happened to Howie Mandel?
What is Howie Mandel’s current health status?
- Mandel continues to appear as a judge on America’s Got Talent (USA Today — major news outlet).
- He has spoken in recent interviews about aging and maintaining his mental health routine.
Has Howie Mandel had any major life events recently?
- He continues to host the podcast Howie Mandel Does Stuff.
- In 2024, his wife Terry’s role in encouraging his therapy was highlighted in a new interview (Entertainment Weekly — entertainment news magazine).
What is Howie Mandel doing now?
- He is a regular judge on America’s Got Talent and tours stand-up comedy shows.
What this means: Mandel remains active and visible, but his health management is an ongoing, daily effort that he doesn’t hide.
What happened to Howie Mandel’s wife?
Who is Howie Mandel’s wife Terry?
- Terry (née Soil) married Howie Mandel in 1980 (Wikipedia — free encyclopedia).
- She has largely stayed out of the public eye, choosing a private life.
Has Terry Mandel had any health issues?
- No major public health crisis has been reported for Terry. The focus has been on her role in supporting Howie’s mental health.
How long have Howie and Terry been married?
- As of 2025, they have been married for 45 years — a rare long marriage in Hollywood.
The pattern: Terry’s ultimatum was a turning point. Without her push, Mandel might never have sought treatment.
Do Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel get along?
How did Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel become friends?
- They met as judges on America’s Got Talent and have developed a close friendship off-screen (People — celebrity news magazine).
Have they had any disagreements?
- They often joke about each other’s quirks, but no serious public feuds have been reported.
What do they say about each other in interviews?
- Both have described each other as genuine friends. Cowell has said Mandel is “one of the funniest people I know.”
The Cowell–Mandel friendship is a rare example of a judge panel that genuinely works. Their chemistry is a big reason AGT remains a ratings success.
The rapport between the two judges highlights the importance of genuine camaraderie on reality TV.
What illness does Simon Cowell have?
Does Simon Cowell have a specific medical condition?
- Cowell has not publicly disclosed a chronic illness. His health issues have been injury-related: a broken back from an e-bike accident in 2020 (People — celebrity news magazine) and a broken arm in 2022 (NBC — broadcast network).
Has Simon Cowell talked about his health?
- He said of the arm injury: “It was just annoying mainly because I couldn’t ride my bike” (NBC — broadcast network).
- In August 2026, he was reported to miss AGT live shows for routine back surgery, linked to lingering issues from the 2020 crash (USA Today — major news outlet).
What is the story with Simon Cowell’s son?
- Simon Cowell’s son, Eric, has been the subject of concern regarding a medical condition. Cowell has discussed it in interviews, but the specific disease has not been publicly confirmed in detail.
The trade-off: Cowell’s transparency about his accidents contrasts with the privacy around his son’s health — a deliberate boundary that the public has largely respected.
What are Howie Mandel’s net worth, movies, and family details?
What is Howie Mandel’s net worth?
- Estimated at $60 million by CelebrityNetWorth — finance estimator (figures vary by source).
What movies has Howie Mandel been in?
- He voiced Gizmo in Gremlins (1984) and appeared in the TV series St. Elsewhere (1982–1988) (IMDb — film database).
How many kids does Howie Mandel have?
- Three: one son and two daughters (EBSCO Research Starters — academic database).
For fans curious about other comedians’ biographies, you can explore the story of Ralphie May: Life, Career, Death, and Legacy or Trevor Noah: Biography, Career, Family, and Personal Life.
Timeline
- 1955 — Howie Mandel is born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- 1980 — Marries Terry Mandel. (Wikipedia — free encyclopedia)
- 1982–1988 — Stars in the medical drama St. Elsewhere.
- 1984 — Voices Gizmo in Gremlins.
- 2006–present — Serves as a judge on America’s Got Talent.
- 2008 — Publicly reveals his diagnosis of OCD and ADHD. (EBSCO Research Starters — academic database)
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Howie Mandel has been diagnosed with OCD and ADHD.
- Howie Mandel has three children with his wife Terry.
- Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel have a friendly professional relationship.
- Simon Cowell’s son is named Eric.
What’s unclear
- The specific disease Simon Cowell’s son has is not publicly confirmed in detail.
- The exact nature of Simon Cowell’s current health condition beyond his 2020 accident is not fully detailed.
- Howie Mandel’s exact net worth is uncertain and varies by source.
Quotes
“It was just annoying mainly because I couldn’t ride my bike.”
“I don’t shake hands. I don’t touch people. It’s not personal.”
For fans of America’s Got Talent, the show’s dynamic is likely to keep evolving as both Mandel and Cowell navigate their health challenges. The personal stories behind the panel make the performances even more compelling — and remind us that the judges are human, too.
tmz.com, goodhousekeeping.com, ew.com, ew.com, aol.com, people.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Howie Mandel’s height?
Howie Mandel is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall.
Does Howie Mandel still perform stand-up comedy?
Yes, he continues to tour and perform stand-up comedy.
What is the name of Howie Mandel’s podcast?
Howie Mandel Does Stuff.
Is Howie Mandel on social media?
Yes, he is active on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
What is Simon Cowell’s net worth?
Simon Cowell’s net worth is estimated at $600 million.
How old is Simon Cowell?
Simon Cowell was born on October 7, 1959, making him 65 years old as of 2025.
Who is Simon Cowell’s partner?
Simon Cowell is engaged to Lauren Silverman, with whom he has a son, Eric.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Reporter at Canada Scope, covering daily news and breaking stories across Canada.