Born Simon Phillip Cowell (7 October 1959), a British music executive, television producer and entrepreneur. He is famous in the United Kingdom and in the United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, American Idol Britain's Got Talent, and Britain's Got Talent. He is also the owner of the television production and music publishing house Syco. Cowell is known for his blunt and often controversial criticisms, insults and wisecracks about contestants and their abilities. Cowell is known for combining activities in the television and music industries, having promoted singles and records for various artists, including television personalities.