Simon Cowell

Simon Philip Cowell was born on 7 October 1959 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
His father, Eric Philip Cowell worked as an agent in musical industry, his mother, Julie Brett was a ballet dancer and was honored by people. His paternal grandparents, Joseph Cowell and Esther Malinsky were English Jews, maternal grandfather was а Scottish.
Simon has brother and two half-brothers; younger brother Nicolas Cowell and Tony Cowell and Michael Cowell, accordingly. Michael is the eldest, then Tony, Simon and younger Nicolas (by descending).

Simon studied in Dover college, as well as his brother, but left school before sixth class. He worked as ancillary worker in different places, but could not get on with employees and bosses until his father working in recording British company 'EMI Group' employed him in the correspondence department.

He is a magnate of music, one of the most popular TV presenters in the world.
Well-known English executive and television producer, responsible for search of new performers and their promotion (so-called A&R), he is known for his role of inconsiderate judge in TV shows, such as "Pop Idol", "American idol", "X-factor" and "Britain's Got Talent". Also Simon is the owner of "Syco" company.

He has reputation of a judge sharply and roughly critisizing, using without confusion affronts and insults while describing talents of contestants. His judicial role displeased many people, however thus he has found the public's response.
Also the producer is famous for his ability to work in two directions - television and music. He promotes singles and albums of various actors, including TV celebrities.

Professional career
Thanks to Cowell's father he became an assistant of the agent responsible for search of new people and their promoting in show business, in other words, became A&R assistant. Simon's work was appreciated and he became a music promoter. However not so long after that he founded the label 'E&S Music'. The company was responsible for several hits' release, once its five singles got to the British chart of 40 best songs.

One year later Cowell partnered by Burton started dance group 'Hot Gossip' and independent audio label 'Fanfare Records'. The label was a success due to its performers, particularly Sinitta. Her debut's single 'So Macho' was very popular, about half million copies were sold; orchestra 'Rondo Veneziano' had even greater success. Unfortunately 'Public Company', 'Fanfare Records' parent company went bankrupt. 'Fanfare Records' became property of 'BMG'.

Further Cowell signed some contracts with 'S-Records', gaining fair name due to the British band 'Curiosity Killed the Cat', English singer Sonya Evans, British boy band 'Five', Irish 'Westlife', English pop-duet 'Robson & Jerome' and boy-band 'Ultimate Kaos'. Cowell also released some comic compositions for different projects. Cowell created a new label 'Syco Records', in 2002, which later joined such companies as 'Columbia Records' and 'Sony BMG Music'.

In 2006 Cowell became a judge in the show 'American idol' (in Russia it is called 'People's Artist'). He also works in such projects as 'American Inventor' and 'Got Talent'.

'Idol' and 'Il Divo'
Cowell became judge of the first season of "Pop Idol" in 2001 and of the first season of "American idol" in 2002. Most viewers of "American idol' know Cowell for his sharp criticism and attitude towards participants. He has reputation of the man that is capable to tear to tatters any talent. Public always starts to prevent him from stating his point of view, catcall him, disapprovingly whistling at him. Cowell has allegedly created most of his poignancies with еру publicist Max Klifford.

In 2003 Cowell occupied 33d place in the rating "100 most awful British". In 2004 Cowell created the show of talented people 'X-factor' that was also popular with public.

'American Inventor'
16 March 2006 Cowell created a new TV contest such as reality-show 'American Inventor'. Beginning businessmen came from all parts of the US to find out the best concept of new production. In 2006 the winner Yanush Liberkovskij got 1 mln. dollars and was helped in embodying his idea.

'Got Talent'
Cowell is an executive producer of the show 'America's Got Talent' together with 'American Idol' judges. It gathered about 12 mln TV viewers every week and its rating was ahead of the show 'So You Think You Can Dance' on the channel 'FOX'.

Charity and Other Activities
The producer has participated for many years in work of some charitable organizations. He helped children from the Association of children orphanages and even brought them to watch the program "X-factor" behind the scene. When there is a possibility, Simon visits orphanages and communicates with children. Also he struggles for animals' rights.
In December, 2003 Cowell let out his own autobiography named "I I do not wish to be rough, but :". Cowell is going to shoot a film based on "American idol". The project has already a name - "Starstruck".