Randy Jackson

After an already impressive 20-year career as a musician, producer and record label executive, Randy Jackson achieved worldwide fame as one of the judges on the hit musical talent competition "American Idol" (Fox, 2002-16). Coming out of the rich musical heritage of Louisiana, Jackson established himself as freelance "gun for hire," playing bass guitar for names like Santana and super group Journey for several years. Soon he began working as a producer for such high-profile acts as Mariah Carey, 'N Sync and Whitney Houston. After several years as an A&R vice president at recording companies Columbia and MCA, Jackson was recruited as a judge for "American Idol," with whom he would share the table with singer Paula Abdul and acerbic music industry entrepreneur Simon Cowell. The show, hosted by ubiquitous broadcasting presence Ryan Seacrest, became a smash hit during its first season, going on to fulfill its promise of producing several bona fide pop stars; among them Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. For his part, Jackson provided a much needed equilibrium in between the histrionic Abdul and gleefully nasty Cowell, with his good-natured critiques and signature exclamation of "Yo, Dawg!" Although initially the least known of the judges, Jackson may actually have been the most uniquely qualified, and throughout several cast rotations, remained as the only original judge until the end of season 11. Talented and personable, Jackson's vast and varied experience in all aspects of the music industry had served him well.