Howie Mandel to host 2017 Canadian Screen Awards

Howie Mandel, comedian andAmerica's Got Talent judge,has been tapped to host the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards.

"I'm thrilled," Mandelsaid in a statement about his latest hosting gig.

"I don't only look at it as honouring the best in Canadian entertainment, but more importantly, I am so excited about the free trip home!"

Wide-ranging career

Mandelfirstbecame a stand-up comedian at YukYuk'sin Toronto, where he was born,before moving to Los Angeles. Though he continued to do stand-up, his careeralsoexpanded into acting, with his credits includingSteven Spielberg'sGremlins filmsand theTV showSt. Elsewhere.

During the 1990s, Mandelwrote, produced and did voice workfor theEmmy-nominated animated kids seriesBobby's World andwas a regular onThe Tonight Show with JayLeno.

In2005,Mandelbegan hosting NBC's game showDeal or No Deal, adding Deal or No Deal Canadato the mix two years later.Hereleased a memoir about pursuing his career while dealing withanxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder in 2009.

• Mandelmemoir exposes funnyman's inner terror
• HowieMandel'sCommitted follows less 'successful' friend

Mostrecently, he directed thedocumentaryCommitted,about a less successful, butfiercely driven comedian friend, Vic Cohen. That film screened at Hot Docs in Toronto in 2015.

"I am thrilled to have one of our national treasures as our host. His unscripted hilarity and unbridled energy will make this show unmissable," said CSAs producer Barry Avrich.

The Canadian Screen Awards take place in Toronto on March 12, 2017and will be broadcast live on CBC-TV.