Simon Cowell executive produces and serves as a judge on NBC's highly popular series "America's Got Talent," "America's Got Talent: The Champions" and the latest addition to the powerhouse franchise, "AGT: Extreme."Cowell is a record company executive, television and film producer, and global entertainment icon. Renowned for his eye for talent and candid opinions, he has completely transformed popular culture through his show business enterprise.His company, Syco Entertainment, is one of the world's leading music, film and TV production companies, and is responsible for some of the most successful global TV franchises as well as for launching the careers of many artists, including One Direction, Camila Cabello, Little Mix, Labrinth, James Arthur, CNCO and Grace VanderWaal. Syco's television assets include two worldwide record-breaking shows: "The X Factor" and "Got Talent."Before establishing Syco Entertainment, Cowell was a renowned record label executive. He appeared on TV as a judge on the U.K. talent show "Pop Idol" before launching "American Idol" in 2002. He led the judging panel for eight years and saw stars such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood launch their careers."The X Factor," created by Cowell, premiered in 2004 in the U.K. on ITV and is a phenomenon, airing in 178 territories and commissioned in 57 territories. The show has created more international music careers than any other television format, including Fifth Harmony and One Direction. Artists discovered by the show have sold more than 500 million records, including 250 No. 1's and 450 top 10 records.As well as being a judge on "America's Got Talent" and "The X Factor," Cowell is also a judge on "Britain's Got Talent."The "Got Talent" format is officially the world's most successful reality TV format of all time, airing in 194 territories worldwide and holding the Guinness World Records title for the highest number of adaptations, having been commissioned in over 72 territories globally."Britain's Got Talent" has won three National Television Awards, two Royal Television Society Awards and the BAFTA for Best Entertainment Program two years in a row in 2018-19. It is due to begin its 15th season in Spring 2022 on ITV."America's Got Talent" is in its 16th season and continues to be the No. 1 summer series year after year and a social media juggernaut.In addition to music and TV, Cowell has extended into feature films. He produced "This Is Us," the 3D concert documentary about One Direction. The movie was #1 worldwide for the opening week box office. Syco Entertainment has a number of feature films in development, including a multi-project partnership with Animal Logic ("The Lego Movie," "Happy Feet," "The Great Gatsby").Cowell recently announced a new children's entertainment brand, Wishfits, with his son Eric Cowell and publishing giant Hachette Children's Group. The brand will launch with a seven-book commitment. A portion of all profits will benefit charities Shooting Star Children's Hospices and Together for Short Lives.Cowell has received the Rose d'Or Golden Jubilee Award and BAFTA's Special Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry. He has also been awarded the International Emmy Founders Award. In total, shows created by Cowell have received 25 awards, including eight National Television Awards and seven BAFTAs. In 2015, he was honored with the Music Industry Trusts Award, the British music industry's most prestigious accolade, in recognition of his contributions to the music industry as well as many charitable causes. In 2018, Cowell was the recipient of the Visionary Award by the Media Access Awards, which honors those in the media business who advance the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities.Throughout his career, Cowell has remained a devoted supporter of many charities and causes. Simon is a patron of Together for Short Lives, the Katie Piper Foundation and the Linda Blair Sacred Heart Foundation, as well as an Ambassador for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Innocence Project. Simon is also a supporter of the Innocence Project, the Association for Children's Hospices, Against Breast Cancer, the Health Lottery, Save the Children, Comic Relief, Battersea Dogs Home, RSPCA, the K9 Angels, PETA, Hope Sanctuary Barbados and Help for Heroes. In May 2015, he was made vice president of Shooting Star Chase. He has also been awarded Variety International's Humanitarian Award for his charitable work.