THE celebrities featured in “Dancing with the Stars” are, well, celebrities.

We know who they are.

But just who are the three judges who’ve helped turn the ballroom-dancing reality show into this summer’s hottest hit?

Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli aren’t yet on par with their famous “American Idol” counterparts – Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell – but their visibility is growing as “Dancing” continues to score big viewership numbers.

Here’s a look at each of the three “Dancing with the Stars” judges:

* Len Goodman, 61, was the head judge on the original, British version of “Dancing with the Stars” called “Strictly Come Dancing.” Like “Idol’s” Abdul, Goodman – a lifelong, award-winning dancer specializing in “exhibition dancing” – tries to find something positive to say about each celebrity.

* Carrie Ann Inaba, 37, the “Call-it-as-I-see it” Simon Cowell of the group, is a renowned choreographer. After finishing high school in Hawaii, she moved to Japan and cut three pop records before beginning her choreography career in L.A. Little-known factoid: She had a role in “Austin Powers 3: Gold Member.” Also has her own Web site

(carrieanninaba.com).

* Like Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, 49, has also judged on “Strictly Come Dancing” in the U.K. He’s got a heavy-duty dancing background, and appeared in Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” video before moving on to choreography, working with stars such as Paul McCartney, Freddy Mercury and Tina Turner. He also worked on the movies “Ella Enchanted,” “What a Girl Wants” and “Absolute Beginners.”

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Carrie Ann Inaba

* Heritage: Japanese, Chinese and Irish

* Won a statewide (Hawaii) talent competition at the age of 16

* Was a dancer on Fox’s “In Living Color”

Len Goodman

* Runs a dance school in Kent, England

* Describes himself as “the star that never twinkled”

* Loves oneliners

Bruno Tonioli

* Danced in an Elton John video

* Known as “Mr. Softy” for his encouraging words to the contestants

* Most positive of the three judges