Simon Cowell Then & Now: Photos of the Television Personality Over the Years

By:

Elisabeth McGowan

October 7, 2025 12:58PM EDT

Simon Cowell Then & Now: Photos of the Television Personality Over the Years

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Simon Cowell is best known as a television personality and music industry professional. Here are some of his photos in honor of his birthday on October 7.

Simon Cowell is a long-time reality TV singing competition judge. His first claim to fame was being the blunt and tough judge on American Idol, known for his iconic phrase. “What the bloody hell was that?” Simon also established The X-Factor in England and in the U.S. He later launched Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent. He is credited with launching the careers of contestants who have appeared on the shows, including One Direction and Fifth Harmony.

Since Simon knows a thing or two about showbiz, he’s developed a whole fan base around the world for his humor and approach to discovering talent. In honor of his birthday today, we’re looking back at photos of him over the years in our gallery below!

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Simon Cowell at ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 18

Simon Cowell at ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 18 — Simon Cowell posed on the red carpet at the ‘America’s Got Talent’ Season 18 live show in Los Angeles on September 27, 2023.

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Simon Cowel and Lauren Silverman at The Shooting Star

Simon Cowel and Lauren Silverman at The Shooting Star — Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman attend The Shooting Star Ball in London in Nov 2021. Lauren rocked a bedazzled, black dress while Simon wore a classic navy blue suit jacket and dress pants.

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Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman’s Family

Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman’s Family — Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman with son Eric Cowell when Simon was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was in 2018.

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Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman at an event

Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman at an event — Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman celebrate a win on the first race at Royal Ascot. They were dressed to impress.

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Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman out and about with their son

Simon Cowell & Lauren Silverman out and about with their son — Simon Cowell and his family take part in a fun beach day while on holiday in Barbados. They wore swimsuits.

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Simon Cowell jet skis in Barbados with his son

Simon Cowell jet skis in Barbados with his son — Simon Cowell and his son Eric jet ski in Barbados on July 19, 2021. They both wore sunglasses.

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Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman on a boat

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman on a boat — Simon Cowell and girlfriend Lauren Silverman soak up the sun in Barbados on December 30, 2020. They looked happy!

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Simon Cowell enjoys the sun in Barbados

Simon Cowell enjoys the sun in Barbados — Simon Cowell soaks up the sun onboard a yacht and showcases his spinal surgery scars on December 30, 2020. He wore white shorts.

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Simon Cowell Strolls on the Beach

Simon Cowell Strolls on the Beach — Simon Cowell and longtime love Lauren Silverman enjoy a stroll on the beach in Bridgetown, Barbados. The couple held hands during their tropical vacay.

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Simon Cowell Drives a Jet Ski

Simon Cowell Drives a Jet Ski — Simon Cowell drove a jet ski while on vacation in Barbados, just four months after having back surgery. The ‘AGT’ judge had fallen off his electric bike.

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Simon Cowell shows off his slimmed-down toned physique

Simon Cowell shows off his slimmed-down toned physique — 60-year old ‘X-Factor’ judge and media mogul Simon Cowell shows off his slimmed-down toned physique while spending some quality alone time with son Eric on the beach. It was during a winter holiday in sunny Barbados!

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Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman enjoy a relaxing day at sea aboard a boat in Barbados

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman enjoy a relaxing day at sea aboard a boat in Barbados — Music mogul Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman enjoy a relaxing day at sea aboard a boat while vacationing in Barbados. He showed off his toned chest on the trip.

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Simon Cowell and his family enjoy a day on the beach while on holiday in Barbados

Simon Cowell and his family enjoy a day on the beach while on holiday in Barbados — Simon Cowell, his partner Lauren Silverman, and son Eric Cowell enjoy a day in the sun on the beach while vacationing in Barbados. They were all smiles while in the sunny climate.

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Simon Cowell soaks up the sun in Barbados

Simon Cowell soaks up the sun in Barbados — Simon Cowell is pictured spending Christmas Day on the Beach while having a fun-filled day on jet skis with partner Lauren Silverman, and son Eric. His stepson and Lauren Silverman’s mother, Carole Davis, also joined them.

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Simon Cowell looks incredible after his dramatic weight loss

Simon Cowell looks incredible after his dramatic weight loss — Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman are pictured at the beach with their kids while on holiday in Barbados on Dec. 22, 2019. Simon looks absolutely amazing as he shows off his trim figure after going vegan.

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Simon Cowell on the red carpet for ‘America’s Got Talent’

Simon Cowell on the red carpet for ‘America’s Got Talent’ — Simon Cowell poses on the red carpet for ‘America’s Got Talent’s 14th season which premeried at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, CA in Sept. 2019. He wore a white shirt and blue pants.

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Simon Cowell 20 lbs. Lighter

Simon Cowell 20 lbs. Lighter — Simon Cowell showed off his weight loss at a ‘America’s Got Talent’ filming in Aug 2019. He dropped twenty pounds after switching to a vegan diet after a 2017 health scare.

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Simon Cowell Visits The Carnival With His Family

Simon Cowell Visits The Carnival With His Family — Simon Cowell, Lauren Silverman & Eric Cowell walk away from a carnival in 2016. Simon might be reviled as a rude judge, but he did make one hell of a cute boy.

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Simon Cowell Holds Hands With His Partner & Son

Simon Cowell Holds Hands With His Partner & Son — Simon Cowell, Lauren Silverman & Eric Cowell go for a walk during a cold night in 2016. It seems Eric won himself a bear at the carnival — or did Simon win his boy the teddy?

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Simon Cowell With His Mother

Simon Cowell With His Mother — ‘American Idol’ judge Simon Cowell was super cool and very down to Earth as he took the time to speak with fans and photographers alike. His mother, Julie Brett, was very proud on May 10, 2008. She sadly passed away in 2015.

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