“America’s Got Talent” has seen more than a dozen famous faces serves as judges. Several of them lasted only season, including Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough who served on the season 14 panel. Others, like show creator Simon Cowell and comedian Howie Mandel, have reigned for years. Heidi Klum, who first joined “AGT” in season 8, returned to the show in season 15 after a one-year break. New to the “America’s Got Talent” judges line-up that season was Sofia Vergara.
Where does each of them sit in our rankings of the “AGT” judges. To find out, take a tour of our photo gallery of all 13 “America’s Got Talent” judges ranked from worst to best based on both their individual ability to choose acts and their overall contribution to “AGT.” Do you agree or disagree with our “America’s Got Talent” judges rankings?
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13. David Hasselhoff (Seasons 1 -4)
Image Credit: NBC The “Baywatch” star was all wet as an “AGT” judge but lasted four seasons. He then swam the pond to try his luck as a panellist on “Britain’s Got Talent” but made it through just one season.
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12. Piers Morgan (Seasons 1 – 6)
Image Credit: NBC This tart-tongued British journalist was a poor substitiute for show creator Simon Cowell, who was precluded from the panel because of his contract with “American Idol.”
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11. Brandy Norwood (Season 1)
Image Credit: NBC This musical sensation shone in her first and only season on the show but was sidelined by personal issues.
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10. Julianne Hough (Season 14)
Image Credit: NBC This “Dancing with the Stars” alum was a cheerful presence on the panel but her tenure was short-lived.
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9. Alesha Dixon (AGT: The Champions Season 2)
Image Credit: NBC This British import took part in the second season of the spin-off series. Her playful banter with Simon Cowell came from their years of working together on “Britain’s Got Talent.”
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8. Gabrielle Union (Season 14)
Image Credit: NBC This actress had an eagle eye for talent, giving her Golden Buzzer to Kodi Lee, who ended up winning season 14.
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7. Howard Stern (Seasons 7 – 10)
Image Credit: NBC This shock jock was shockingly nice as a judge as he delivered his on-the-money observations.
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6. Howie Mandel (Seasons 5 – )
Image Credit: NBC This comedian is an acquired taste for many but he has lasted on the show the longest, racking up more than a decade worth of appearances.
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5. Mel B (Seasons 8 – 13)
Image Credit: NBC As with Sharon Osbourne, this outspoken Brit worked with Simon Cowell on “The X Factor.” She was a judge on “Australia’s Got Talent” before taking her place on the panel where she often invoked her Scary Spice persona.
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4. Sofia Vergara (Season 15 – )
Image Credit: Jill Greenberg/USA This “Modern Family” scene-stealer joined the “AGT” family for season 15.
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3. Sharon Osbourne (Seasons 2 – 7)
Image Credit: NBC She first worked with Simon Cowell on the British version of “The X Factor” where she had a radar for spotting talent.
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2. Simon Cowell (Seasons 11- )
Image Credit: NBC The judge everyone loves to hate finally joined the show he created as it entered its second decade.
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1. Heidi Klum (Seasons 8 – 13, 15 – )
Image Credit: NBC This supermodel was simply super as a panellist. Her effervescent charm made her much missed in season 14 and Cowell and company brought her back for season 15.
