Biography for
Howie Mandel (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

29 November 1955, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Birth Name

Howie Michael Mandel II

Height

5' 9½" (1.77 m)

Mini Biography

The story goes that huggable stand-up comedian Howie Mandel, who ran a carpet business once upon a time, began his show biz career by chance while catching amateur night at the Comedy Store on the L.A. Sunset Strip during a vacation. Goaded on by friends to try out, a producer spotted him, hired him for an appearance on the comedy game show "Make Me Laugh," and the rest is history. Talk about luck! Born in Toronto, Canada in 1955, Howie became a highly affable performer who quickly graduated to TV talk shows and Vegas gigs. Six years on, the critically-acclaimed "St. Elsewhere" (1982) medical drama not only increased his visibility but earned him Emmy nominations. An affinity for children led him to the Emmy-nominated animated kids' series "Bobby's World" (1990) serving as creator, executive producer and vocal talent. Film stardom has been elusive with silly, bumbling vehicles such as A Fine Mess (1986), Walk Like a Man (1987) and Little Monsters (1989) failing to click with audiences. Kids, however, enjoyed his cuddly voice as Gizmo, in the Gremlins (1984) film series.

Following his own failed talk show "The Howie Mandel Show" (1998) during the 1998-1999 season, Howie has managed a full time schedule of concerts and comedy specials that keeps him current with today's audiences.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

Spouse

Terry Soil

(16 March 1980 - present) 3 children

Trade Mark

Clean-Shaven Head

Does double "fist pound" with contestants on "Deal or No Deal" (2005).

"Dust bunny" beard.

Trivia

Color blind.

Has three children: Daughters Jackie (b. 1984) and Riley (b. 1992) and son Alex (b. 1989).

An alumnus of Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am's Hebrew School where he celebrated his bar mitzvah.

Once an opening act for Diana Ross in Las Vegas.

He was expelled from his high school in Toronto after pretending to be from the school board and convincing a local construction company to start construction of an addition onto the high school.

Suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder and mysophobia (fear of germs). As a result, he will not shake hands with people.

Instead of shaking hands, a tap fist became a sort of his signature.

Friend of Jay Leno.

Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 4, 2008.

Has a bikini wax named after him, for his clean-shaven head.

Was once food poisoned by eating contaminated chicken.

His daughter, Jackie, is a teacher.

Received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto on September 19, 2009. He is the third game show host to be inducted (the first was Monty Hall in 2002 and the second was Alex Trebek in 2006).

Personal Quotes

"I'm from Canada, so Thanksgiving to me is just Thursday with more food. And I'm thankful for that."

Where Are They Now

(December 2005) Hosting the NBC Game Show "Deal or No Deal" (2005).

(January 2009) Filming his new reality show "Howie Do It" (2008).

(January 2009) Hospitalized for irregular heartbeat in Toronto, Canada.

(2009) Release of his book, "Here's the Deal, Don't Touch Me".

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