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Howie Mandel Looks Like a Different Person with Thick, Jet-Black Hair and a Goatee

The AGT Judge posted a retro video of himself from a '90s standup show — and you need to see his facial hair! 

By Christopher Rosa

A staple of Howie Mandel's signature look is his bald head. He's been rocking the no-hair vibe for years — but this wasn't always the case. Quite the opposite, actually.

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Watch America’s Got Talent on NBC and Peacock

When the AGT Judge was first coming up in the industry — both as a standup comic and an actor — he had thick, luscious hair that was styled in a distinctly '80s way. Just look at the photo, below, of Mandel in 1985, or this throwback shot of him and Denzel Washington while they were filming St. Elsewhere. Mandel fully leaned into the "big hair" theme of that decade, and we're so thankful we have these snapshots to prove it. 

Howie Mandel looking at a camera.

We also have some archival footage from the '90s that shows Mandel doing his thing with a full head of hair — and a goatee. A video Mandel shared to his Instagram on August 28, 2023 features him with thick, jet-black hair that's styled shorter than his '80s mullet, along with a mustache and goatee. He almost looks like a different person! 

Want more Howie Mandel? Watch him as a Judge on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League, which airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock! 

"#young #comedy #90s," Mandel succinctly summed up the video. He could've (and should've) added a "goatee" hashtag, as well. 

See the look for yourself, below: 

RELATED: Everything to Know About America's Got Talent Judge Howie Mandel

Howie Mandel on America's Got Talent 

Howie Mandel4

Howie Mandel is currently killing it as a Judge on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League alongside Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Mel B. He's been on AGT shows for over a decade, and he told NBC Insider the impressive Acts are why he keeps returning year after year. 

“What is considered talent evolves,” said Mandel, adding that the same is true for “what will bowl you over, especially as somebody who’s been here that long. I am jaded.”

RELATED: Howie Mandel Has Shoulder-Length Hair and Side Bangs in This Childhood Pic

“But I’m telling you, I am continuously bowled over,” he continued. “People from all walks of life, from all corners of this planet, have the ability to come and bowl us over. And that’s amazing.”

Klum echoed this sentiment to Access Hollywood in April 2022. "Every day is new and different," she said. "I mean, yes, we [the Judges and Host] might be the same, but you see all these crazy, different people on the stage. We're having the best time. I always call it a 'rollercoaster of emotions,' because a person comes and they're singing. The next is an aerialist. The next one is a contortionist or a comedian. Everyone has a story to tell because they're real people. They're not actors. This is not a movie. This is real life. It's always fun to hear the stories...it never gets boring." 

Where to watch Howie Mandel on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League

The AGT spin-off airs Mondays at 8/7c on NBC. Episodes are available to stream next day on Peacock. 

Originally published Aug 28, 2023.