Howard Michael Mandel, a Canadian comedian, television host, actor, and producer, was born on November 29, 1955. In the 1984 film Gremlins and its 1990 prequel Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Mandel provided the voice of the character Gizmo.

Mandel co-starred with Amy Steel in the comedy Walk Like a Man in 1987. Mandel portrayed the boisterous ER intern Dr. Wayne Fiscus in the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere from 1982 to 1988.

In addition, he produced, voiced, and starred in the Bobby’s World animation for kids on Fox. Additionally, he has served as a judge for both Citytv’s Canada’s Got Talent and NBC’s America’s Got Talent since 2022.

Deal or No Deal on American NBC and later CNBC, as well as the afternoon and Canadian-English versions of the program, were all hosted by him.

Simon Cowell on the other hand is an English television personality, businessman, and record executive (/kal/; born October 7, 1959).

The X Factor and Got Talent franchises were created by him, who is also the founder and sole proprietor of the British entertainment business Syco.

He has served as a judge on the American talent competition shows American Idol (2002–2010), The X Factor US (2011–2013), and America’s Got Talent (2016–present) as well as the British television talent competition shows Pop Idol (2001–2003), The X Factor UK (2004–2010, 2014–2018), and Britain’s Got Talent (2007–present).

Are Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel friends?

They are legitimate  friends as of 2023.