Howie Mandel, famous for always saying “don’t touch me,” left everyone stunned in September 2023 when he gave Reba McEntire a big hug on The Voice stage. Known for his intense fear of germs, Howie couldn’t resist hugging the country music star, even though he usually avoids any kind of physical contact.
Despite being a cheerful and lively comedian on screen, Howie admits that offscreen, he often feels scared. “I’m a scared guy who’d rather be curled up in the fetal position,” he revealed. Recently, Howie shared a shocking truth about how he manages the obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that makes his life incredibly difficult.
Facing the Fear of Germs
During the global pandemic, many people became afraid of germs, but for Howie, that fear never went away. His fear of contamination is something he’s lived with his whole life. “I can’t go a day without thinking that we might not survive,” Howie shared, explaining how OCD and anxiety have affected him since childhood.
Now 68, he described to People magazine how the pandemic made things worse for him. “The only comfort I had was knowing that everyone around me was okay,” he said. “But during the pandemic, nothing was okay. It was the worst time.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, OCD is when a person experiences “unwanted thoughts and fears” that lead to compulsive behaviors. These repeated actions can cause major stress and disrupt a person’s life. For Howie, it’s a constant battle.
“I feel like I’m living in a nightmare,” he admitted. But what helps him stay grounded is his family. “I have a wonderful family—my wife Terry and I have been married since 1980, and we have three children, Riley, Jackie, and Alex. I love what I do, but sometimes I fall into a deep depression, and it’s hard to get out of.”
Laughter as Therapy
Howie first gained fame in 1982 on the medical drama St. Elsewhere. Since then, he has leaned on comedy to cope with life’s challenges. “I use humor as a way to survive,” he said. “If I’m not laughing, I’m crying. I haven’t really been open about how dark things can get.”
Being onstage is where Howie feels most comfortable. “I feel safest when I’m performing,” he shared. Humor helps him keep his OCD in check, but when he’s not busy, his thoughts start to spiral. “When I don’t have anything to do, I withdraw into myself, and that’s not a good thing.”
But Howie always stays busy. He juggles multiple projects and always finds time for new ones. Besides being a judge on America’s Got Talent, he hosts several shows, bringing his unique sense of humor to everything he does.
Talking About His Struggles
In 2022, Howie opened up more about his mental health struggles when he appeared on Kelly Clarkson’s talk show. “I have OCD and I’m neurotic,” he admitted. “People think that just because I’m out there, having fun, I must be enjoying myself. But the truth is, I’m terrified. When I’m not working, I just want to go home and curl up in the fetal position.”
Kelly was surprised. “That’s so funny to me because every time I see you, even when you’re not working, you seem like the complete opposite!” she said.
“I know!” Howie laughed. “I’m such a joy, right? I’m full of light, energy, and I’m stunning!” But then he got serious again. “To be honest, I take a lot of medication.”
The Hug That Shocked Everyone
Maybe that medication was part of why Howie felt bold enough to hug Reba McEntire on The Voice. As a panelist on the show, he couldn’t contain his excitement. He jumped up, called out Reba’s name, and rushed over to her. “We’re filming the AGT finale right next door!” he said. “Can you sign my shirt?”
After Reba signed his “I [heart] Reba” shirt, Howie did something no one expected—he gave her a tight hug!
The show’s host, Carson Daly, couldn’t believe it. “You don’t see that every day,” he said, knowing Howie’s usual aversion to touching people.
Howie later acknowledged how strange that moment was for him. “People notice when I do something like that,” he explained. “They’ll say, ‘He shook someone’s hand,’ or ‘He hugged someone.’ And yeah, I can do it. But then my mind starts going crazy. I’ll start thinking my hand isn’t clean, and I’ll spend hours washing it over and over.”
Even though Howie can joke about his condition, he doesn’t hide how painful it is. “I get the funny side of it,” he said, “but that doesn’t make it any less terrible. I’m not trying to excuse the way I feel—I just want to keep the conversation going.”
Howie’s openness about his struggles has made him an important voice in the conversation about mental health. Even when he contracted Covid-19 in 2022, his symptoms were mild because he was vaccinated and boosted. It reminded him, and everyone else, that fear alone isn’t enough to protect you from illness.