Canadian comedian Howie Mandel is a prominent personality. He derives much of his stardom as one of the long-standing judges of NBC's America's Got Talent. Mandel, 67, kicked off his career as a stand-up comedian but has successfully carved a profile in television, acting, and philanthropy. Aside from his stellar credits, including in Walk Like a Man, St. Elsewhere, and A Fine Mess, Mandel also thrives as a prolific voice actor.
Howard Michael Mandel was born on November 29, 1955, in Toronto, Ontario. The comedian-turned-television personality usually keeps away from tabloids fueled drama, but a recent incident has landed the AGT judge in hot water. Renowned talk show host Andy Cohen called out Mandel after the latter welcomed reality television star Tom Sandoval, who's amid a cheating scandal, to his podcast. Some are even calling Howie's interview with Sandoval an act of defending infidelity.
Inside Howie Mandel's Married Life!
Only Mandel and Hollywood's handful of others know what it's like being married to your first love. The AGT judge and his wife, Terry Mandel, have been married for over forty years. The pair were high school sweethearts before they delved into early marriage. "I think the first time I dated her I was 19. She didn't want to go out with me," Howie said as he recalled pursuing a reluctant Terry. Howie's showbiz ambitions and his imminent success were still on the horizon when he started courting Terry.
But a happy conjugal life awaited Howie before he got his breakthrough with St. Elsewhere, in 1982. Mandel and his high school sweetheart tied the knot on March 16, 1980. The Canadian comedian recalls not having enough money for their nuptials. "We barely had enough money to buy the plane tickets for the wedding, so I timed it as a business trip," Howie recounts. The couple then worked their way up to cement a family and career.
Mandel and Terry welcomed their firstborn, Jackelyn, in 1984, followed by the birth of Alex, and Riley, in 1984 and 1992. According to the AGT judge, the secret behind their enduring marriage is having a flourishing career. "The more career I have, the better the marriage is," Mandel once said, adding, "My wife says it's because I'm always on the road. When I'm up in Canada filming Canada’s Got Talent and she's not there with me, it makes her love me even more."
Howie's wife has since stood beside her husband through thick and thin. Mandel, who has been open and honest about his life-long battle with OCD and mental illness, credits his wife for being the beacon of light. "My lovely wife. She was there for the family when I couldn't be," says the comedian-turned-actor. Like any ideal partner, Terry continues to be an anchor of Mandel's career trajectory. Apparently, it was she who encouraged Mandel to take up his iconic host role in Deal or No Deal and its hit 2018 reboot.
Get to Know Howie Mandel's Wife and Kids!
Although better known by her husband's surname, and as the woman behind his success and sanity, Terry has her own career in the business, which makes her a star in her own right. She is a television producer and talent agent. Despite being the wife of the most recognizable television personality, Terry mostly keeps it to herself. The St. Elsewhere alum, however, often gushes and shares an anecdote or two about his lovely life.
"Spending your life with someone who doesn't have that wouldn't be palatable," Howie said after sharing that his wife has got an amazing sense of humor. When Mandel is not tending to his thriving multi-faceted career, he is spending memorable time with his wife and their three kids. For the Emmy-nominated comedian, his family holds a bigger place in his heart than his career and fame.
Howie's oldest, Jackelyn, followed in her father's footsteps. She hosts a podcast titled, Howie Mandel Does Stuff, with her father. Through Jackelyn, Howie and his wife are grandparents to two kids. The pair's second kid, Alex, is a director, and writer, and has also dabbled in acting. Alex's credits are Odd Jobs, Freak Encounters, and Killer Holiday. The AGT judge's youngest born, Riley, is probably the most low-key of all three of his brood. Although Riley's life remains a mystery, she often pops up in her famous father's socials.
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