Howie Mandel to get Banff honours

Howie Mandel, the Canadian funnyman who is the face of Deal or No Deal, will be honoured with the Award of Distinction at the Banff World Television Festival next year.

Mandel, whohosted Canada's Walk of Fame gala in Toronto in October, is being recognized as an influential Canadian in the global entertainment industry, the festival announced Wednesday.

Born in Willowdale, Ont., Mandel, 55,did standup at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto before heading to Los Angeles. His first significant U.S. TV role was in St. Elsewhere, and he has appeared frequently doing standup on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as well as on Just for Laughs stages. He also had a reality show, Howie Do It and this fall was a judge on America's Got Talent.

The comic and actor wrote his autobiography, Here's the Deal: Don't Touch Me, in 2010 and spoke frankly about his germ phobia.

The Banff World Television Festival is set for June 12-15.