Howie Mandel
Explore the life of Howie Mandel: the Canadian comedian, actor, host, and mental health advocate best known for Deal or No Deal, America’s Got Talent, Bobby’s World, and his courageous openness about OCD.
Introduction
Howie Mandel (born November 29, 1955) is a Canadian comedian, actor, television personality, and producer known for his wide-ranging career spanning stand-up comedy, children’s TV, game shows, and reality television.
He is recognized not only for his comedic talent and hosting presence, but also for his honesty about mental health—particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety—which has made him a prominent voice in destigmatizing these conditions.
Early Life and Family
Howard Michael “Howie” Mandel was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on November 29, 1955. He was raised in the Bathurst Manor neighborhood.
His ancestry includes Romanian and Polish Jewish roots.
He attended William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, where he was expelled after impersonating a school official and hiring a construction crew to build an addition to the school.
After leaving school, he worked as a carpet salesman while pursuing comedy.
Youth & Entry into Comedy
Mandel’s early comedic aspirations led him to perform at Yuk Yuk’s in Toronto.
By 1978, he had secured a week-long booking as a featured act.
A turning point came when he tried out at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles (while on vacation). A producer noticed him there and booked him on a syndicated comedy game show, which helped launch his U.S. exposure.
He also opened for David Letterman in 1979.
Career and Achievements
Television & Film Roles
One of Mandel’s early major roles was on the medical drama St. Elsewhere (1982–1988), where he played Dr. Wayne Fiscus.
He lent his voice to Gizmo in Gremlins (1984) and Gremlins 2 (1990).
He also created and starred in the animated children’s show Bobby’s World (1990–1998), voicing both the title character and the father.
He appeared in comedies and films such as Walk Like a Man (1987), Little Monsters (1989), and A Fine Mess.
Game Shows & Reality TV
One of Mandel’s most visible roles has been hosting Deal or No Deal (U.S. version), as well as its daytime and Canadian variants.
He has been a judge on America’s Got Talent since 2010. More recently, he’s also served as a judge on Canada’s Got Talent.
In 2022, he hosted Bullsh*t: The Game Show on Netflix.
He also co-hosts the podcast Howie Mandel Does Stuff with his daughter, where they engage in pranks, interviews, pop-culture talk, and deeper conversations.
Comedy & Performance Style
Mandel’s early comedy included a signature gag: stretching a latex glove over his head and inflating it via his nostrils until it popped off. This became a hallmark of his stand-up. He eventually stopped doing it after being diagnosed with a perforated sinus.
His comedy is often observational, self-deprecating, and improvisational, tackling everyday life, neuroses, and his own mental health.
Personal Life & Mental Health Advocacy
Mandel has been married to Terry Soil since 1980; they have three children.
He has been open about living with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and ADHD. Because of OCD (and his germ fears), he avoids handshakes on Deal or No Deal, instead opting for fist bumps, shoulder taps, or gloves. He’s said that shaving his head (a signature look) is partly due to his OCD—having no hair makes him feel cleaner.
In his autobiography Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me, he details his lifelong experience with OCD and anxiety.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mandel launched a charity project called Breakout the Masks to provide personal protective equipment to healthcare workers.
Legacy, Influence & Lessons
Howie Mandel’s impact spans multiple domains:
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Normalizing mental health: By speaking candidly about OCD and ADHD, he has helped reduce stigma and encouraged others to seek help.
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Versatility in entertainment: His career touches stand-up, acting, voicework, hosting, producing, and podcasting.
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Longevity & adaptation: He has remained relevant across decades, adapting to new media formats and roles.
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Authenticity as strength: His willingness to be vulnerable in public gives depth to his humor and presence.
Some lessons from his life:
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Embrace vulnerability
Sharing struggles with anxiety and OCD made him more human, not weaker. -
Diversify your craft
Don’t be boxed into one role — acting, music, voicework, hosting — adaptability matters. -
Persistence pays off
From small comedy gigs to major television, Mandel’s steady work built a lasting career. -
Use platform for good
His mental health advocacy and charitable projects show how entertainers can use fame to help others.
Memorable Quotes
“I don’t shake hands unless I’m wearing a glove.”
“When you have OCD, it’s not about being ‘so clean’—it’s about being safe in your mind.”
“Humor is how I survive. It’s how I process my fears and make them something I can look at.”
“The best part of this job is when people tell me: ‘You helped me, just by being real.’”
Conclusion
Howie Mandel is more than a comedian or game show host — he is a storyteller who brings laughter into complexity, openness into fame, and humanity into entertainment. His journey reflects resilience, reinvention, and courage.
If you’d like, I can also make a detailed timeline of his career, analyze his humor style, or provide a longer quote collection. Do you want me to do that?