Simon Cowell — The Man Who Manufactured Stars

Cowell didn't just judge talent shows — he built the factory. American Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent, and America's Got Talent collectively created One Direction (who've sold 70 million records), Kelly Clarkson, Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, and Fifth Harmony. Syco Entertainment generated hundreds of millions in record sales and licensing. At his peak, Cowell earned $95 million in a single year. He turned the audition process into appointment television watched by 900 million people across 180 countries.