Howie Mandel’s 3 Kids: All About Jackelyn, Alex and Riley

Howie Mandel can judge a wide range of talent American talentbut she always cheers for her three children.

Howie met his wife Terry Mandel when they were children. They both attended high school at William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, fell in love and eventually married on March 16, 1980. During four decades of marriage, the couple had three children: daughter Jackelyn (Jackie), 39, son Alex, 33, and daughter Riley (31).

When his children were teenagers and adults, Howie opened up Parade magazine about marriage and parenthood, including the life lessons he hoped to learn.

“What I try to teach my kids is that life is not about making money or fame,” he explained. “If you’re doing something you look forward to and it’s fun, then you’ve succeeded. I happen to be happy that way. The things I look forward to and the things I do for a living are one and the same.”

Although Howie considered himself a strict father, he knew that as his children grew up, he would not be able to set and enforce the rules in their household as he once did. He said Family circle in September 2008. “I can no longer tell them what to do. Well, they can, but they don’t have to listen!”

Howie also credits his wife for his children’s studious nature, as the comedian ended up getting kicked out of school and never graduated. He said that while he “set an example of what not to do,” they inherited Terry’s smarts, adding that his kids “definitely didn’t get the button-up-and-get-good-grades ethic from me.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Howie Mandel’s three children.

Jackelyn Shultz, 39

Howie Mandel daughter Jackelyn Shultz.

Instagram Jackelyn Shultz

Howie and Terry had their first child, daughter Jackelyn, in 1984.

Growing up, Jackelyn walked the red carpet and made several public appearances with her father. Over the years, she accompanied him to numerous major Hollywood events, including movie premieres Titanic in 1997 and How to lose a guy in 10 days in 2003. In May 2013, Jackelyn also attended the 20th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala alongside Howie, where the father-daughter duo posed together on the red carpet.

Following in her parents’ footsteps, Jackelyn works in the entertainment industry. In addition to documenting her life as a mother of two on social media on YouTube and TikTok. She worked as a special correspondent at PEOPLE (TV show!) for American talent 2021, including giving fans a peek into Heidi Klum’s dressing room. She is also the co-host of the podcast Howie Mandel does all sorts of things with her father, a project they started during the pandemic. Howie told PEOPLE in June 2021, “It came from a need to bond with my kid. We spend hours a day trying to make each other laugh.”

Jackelyn also covered the red carpet for american talent an experience Howie described as “awkward”. Access to Hollywood in September 2018. “She likes awkward more than I like awkward and she’ll ask me questions,” Howie said, to which his daughter replied, “He’s the hardest person to interview, and I get the most before interviewing you. ”

Jackelyn said she gets nervous because her dad is “messing” with her, explaining: “It’s not easy to ask questions. He’ll mess with me and then I’ll lose my train of thought.”

On July 20, 2013, Jackelyn married DJ Alex Shultz, who professionally accompanies Lex Larson. At the wedding, she was surrounded by family, including her brother, who officiated the ceremony. Two years after her wedding, Jackelyn shared a nearly 20-minute video of her special day on YouTube. Jackelyn and Shultz have two children: Abbey and Axel.

Howie Mandel and Jackelyn Shultz.

Instagram Jackelyn Shultz

Howie briefly described Jackelyn’s wedding during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in March 2014, telling Ellen that the moment was “emotional.” He explained: “It’s my little girl, my first baby. I walked her to the altar, I was all teary-eyed, I became emotional.”

Aside from their penchant for comedy, Howie and his daughter have another big thing in common – they both suffer from anxiety and OCD. The comedian has lived with anxiety and OCD for most of his life and told PEOPLE in June 2021 that he was “not proud of the gift I gave her.”

Jackelyn said it’s “helpful” to have a father who has faced the same issues as her and understands what she’s been through, adding: “My dad is very open about going to therapy and erasing the stigma. Whenever I was upset or sad or when I was having a bad day, I knew I could reach out.”

Growing up, Jackelyn said both of their issues “tear us apart,” explaining, “There were a lot of control issues around me I’m sure, like, where was I, what did I get into, what did I touch? He was strict . And there was a lot of hovering. We had problems in those times.”

As for today, Jackelyn said the father-daughter duo “couldn’t be closer.”

Alex Mandel, 33

Howie Mandel son of Alex Mandel.

Alex Mandel Instagram

Howie and Terry had their second child, son Alex, on September 30, 1989.

In July 2022, Howie opened up about his son’s childhood stuttering after Amanda Mamman revealed during her American talent at the audition that she had a speech impediment, but when she sang she did not stutter.

“My son stuttered as a child,” Mandel said, according to NBC. “And this was a big obstacle that had to be crossed. So, hearing your story, somehow I connect with it… And watching that journey, from who you are and what you are fighting, to hear the purity today not only in your voice and your the song, but the words and the story, it was heroic and beautiful. Thank you for doing what you do.”

Like his older sister, Alex pursued a career in comedy and entertainment. He had an active YouTube channel where he shared vlogs and other comedy videos with his 479,000 subscribers. He also shows his humor on Instagram, including several posts featuring his famous father.

For years, Alex was with his father at various events, from panels to red carpets. In February 2019, the father-son duo attended the 2019 Television Critics Circle Press Tour and spoke during National Geographic segment that included Alex holding a large snake on stage while standing next to his father. They also took pictures on the red carpet after the show American talent in September 2014, as well as at Adam Carolla’s party in May 2013.

Alex Mandel and Howie Mandel during the 2019 Winter TCA.

Corey Nickols/Getty

During an interview with PEOPLE in April 2016, Howie shared a funny story about embarrassing his son during a live stream when he tried to find him a girlfriend. The comedian explained: “My eldest daughter is married and about to have her second child and my younger daughter just got engaged. My son’s only involvement is when he interacts with his online followers, so I thought, ‘Why not see if I can get my third child on the road to marriage.’ ”

Amidst the live stream, Howie was looking for a girlfriend for his son, though he said he wasn’t “trying to embarrass him” and that his existence “does that enough.” However, he said that while his son was talking to viewers, he figured it was “as good a place” for Alex to find dates. Despite his embarrassment, Howie said he was joining his son in another live stream to find a partner, adding: “I compare this to what I do as a judge on American talent. I never know what I’m looking for until I find it. This is basically just America has daughters-in-law.”

Alex has followed in his father’s footsteps in more ways than comedy — he also serves as a mental health advocate. During a January 2017 appearance on CTV your morning, Alex joined his father as part of the Bell Let’s Talk campaign and said he was interested in getting involved after witnessing everything his family struggles with with mental health, both through his father and in person.

“I think it gets passed down,” Alex said, prompting Howie to chime in and jokingly claim that his son “blames him. Alex had his own smart response, adding, “So it’s his fault that I have ADD and anxiety too. But it’s something that affects me, and I think one thing that people don’t talk about is that it affects the whole family, even if it’s just one member. I think it’s good that we’re doing this together, because we had to deal with it together as a family.”

Riley Ehrlich, 31

Howie Mandel’s daughter Riley Ehrlich and her husband Cameron Ehrlich.

Riley Ehrlich’s Instagram

Howie and Terry had their youngest child, daughter Riley, in 1992.

While Jackelyn and Alex followed in their parents’ footsteps by working in the entertainment industry, Riley prefers to stay out of the spotlight and instead turn to the health and wellness industry. According to her LinkedIn, she graduated with honors from Chapman University in Orange, California in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After completing her undergraduate degree, Riley returned to Chapman University and graduated again in 2018 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Terry celebrated her daughter’s graduation with a sweet post on social media, sharing a photo of mother and daughter posing side-by-side with Riley wearing her cap and gown and holding her diploma. In the caption, Terry said she was “so proud,” writing in part, “So proud of Dr. Riley Mandel who also won the Academic Excellence Award!!.”

Today, Riley describes herself on her Instagram as a holistic health coach. She shares a wide range of fitness routines with her 30,000 followers on social networks. Along with her exercise regimens, she also posts a variety of other tips, including nutritional suggestions, exercise motivation tips, pain reduction and prevention, and more.

Riley got engaged to her boyfriend, Cameron Ehrlich, in February 2016. At the time, Howie shared how overjoyed he was about his daughter’s engagement in a sweet Instagram post, sharing a selfie of his big smile and adding in the caption, “I’m Smiling Because my little girl just got engaged!”

Riley and Cameron got married on June 29, 2019. Much like her sister Jackelyn, Riley’s older brother Alex also officiated their wedding and even surprised the couple with a sloth during the ceremony for a sweet reason. In a post on Instagram, Riley explained: “Before we kissed, we both kissed a sloth, promising each other to live slow like a sloth and enjoy every moment we have together.”

Although Howie rarely shares photos of his youngest child on social media, as she prefers to stay out of the spotlight, he shared a touching post on her wedding day. He posted a video of the bride and groom kissing, and in the caption he simply wrote: “This happened. My little girl.”

On their first anniversary, Riley shared that the pair had known each other since they were teenagers, writing in the caption: “One year married but you’ve been my best friend since I was 16.”

During the appearance on January 2024 The Jennifer Hudson Show, Howie announced that Riley is pregnant with her first child, a girl, who will be the host’s third grandchild.

“Grandchildren, if I had known it was this good and fun, I would have done it first,” he joked. “Having a child, having a baby, having this bundle of joy, this love that I can’t get enough of. And then being able to return it when it starts to smell,” he continued with a laugh.

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Source: HIS Education