Lil Rel Howery Bio
Milton “Lil Rel” Howery Jr. (born December 17, 1979) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is known for playing Robert Carmichael in NBC’s television comedy series The Carmichael Show and Rod Williams in the horror film Get Out. Howery starred in the short-lived TV series Rel, which he created and co-produced. Howery’s career began in Chicago’s comedy scene, and he has been active since 2001, earning accolades for his performances.
Early Life and Background
Milton Howery Jr. grew up on the West Side of Chicago, the son of Nancy and Milton Howery. He attended Providence St. Mel School from fifth grade to ninth before transferring to Crane High School. At Crane, Howery began writing jokes and created a script for a senior talent show, which inspired him to pursue a career in comedy. He also played high school basketball, earning the nickname “Lil Rel” as a nod to his older cousin Darrel.
Path to Hollywood
Howery began performing comedy in Chicago, making his television debut in January 2007 on the reality television competition Last Comic Standing. In the same year, he appeared on P. Diddy Presents: The Bad Boys of Comedy on HBO. By 2012, he was part of the revival of the 1990s sketch program In Living Color on Fox, although the show was canceled in 2013. Following this, Howery worked as a writer, producer, and regular cast member on the truTV sketch comedy series Friends of the People. His big break came in 2015 when he co-starred as Bobby Carmichael on the NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show alongside the show’s creator, Jerrod Carmichael.
Lil Rel Howery Career
Early Career (2001–2015)
Howery’s career began in the Chicago comedy scene in 2001. He gained recognition for his stand-up performances and made notable appearances on various television shows. In 2016, Netflix released his first exclusive solo stand-up special, Kevin Hart Presents: Lil Rel: RELevent, which further solidified his presence in the comedy world.
Breakthrough (2015–2019)
Howery’s role as Rod Williams in Jordan Peele’s satirical horror film Get Out, released in 2017, marked a significant turning point in his career. His performance earned him the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance. Following this success, he starred in the sitcom Rel, which premiered in September 2018 and was loosely based on his life experiences as a divorced father.
Notable Works and Milestones
Lil Rel Howery’s signature work includes his role in Get Out, which not only showcased his comedic talent but also his ability to handle dramatic material. He has received accolades for his performances, including a win at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.
Lil Rel Howery Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Lil Rel Howery has received several nominations for his work in comedy and acting, highlighting his impact in the entertainment industry.
Lil Rel Howery Awards Won
Lil Rel Howery won the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance for his role in Get Out, showcasing his talent and recognition in the industry.
Lil Rel Howery Family
Lil Rel Howery was married to Verina Robinson from November 24, 2008, until their divorce in 2017. They share two children together.
Personal Life
In June 2016, Howery was involved in a legal incident where he was arrested on a misdemeanor battery charge but was found not guilty. This incident drew media attention but did not significantly impact his career. Howery continues to be a prominent figure in comedy and television, with upcoming projects in development.
