Simon Phillip Cowell (born 7 October 1959) is a British businessman, music talent show judge, actor, and entrepreneur. Cowell is the A&R executive for Syco in the United Kingdom and the son of estate agent and and music industry executive Eric Cowell Sr. and socialite Julie Brett. He was born in Lambeth, London and raised in Elstree, Hertfordshire. He is well known as a judge on television programmes "Pop Idol", "The X Factor", "American Idol" and "Britain's Got Talent". On these shows, Cowell is known for saying that most of the contestants on the shows are not talented. He is known for joining activities in the television and music industries, having made singles and records for many television characters.