Lil Rel Howery

Lil Rel Howery Bio

Milton “Lil Rel” Howery Jr., born December 17, 1979, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He first drew widespread attention for playing Rod Williams in Jordan Peele’s 2017 horror film Get Out and later became a series regular as Robert Carmichael on the NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show. He has built a versatile career that spans stand-up specials, feature films, and network television.

Howery began performing comedy in Chicago’s local scene before transitioning to television and film work. He is widely recognized for his role in Get Out, which earned him an MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance. In addition to his acting, he created and starred in the Fox sitcom Rel, which aired from 2018 to 2019.

Early Life and Background

Milton Howery Jr. grew up on the West Side of Chicago, the son of Nancy and Milton. He attended Providence St. Mel School from fifth grade through ninth grade before transferring to Crane High School. His upbringing in a close-knit Chicago household shaped his sense of humor and his love for performing in front of audiences.

During his time at Crane High School, Howery wrote jokes and created a script for a senior talent show, an experience that convinced him to pursue comedy professionally. While playing high school basketball, he was reminded of his older cousin Darrel, which led to the nickname Lil Rel. That nickname has followed him throughout his career and became part of his stage identity.

Path to Comedy

Howery began performing stand-up comedy in Chicago, working his way through the city’s clubs and comedy circuit. His early years on stage allowed him to refine his storytelling style and connect with audiences, building a loyal following in the Midwest. Chicago’s vibrant comedy scene gave him a foundation that supported his eventual move into television.

He made his television debut in January 2007 on the reality competition series Last Comic Standing. The same year, he appeared on HBO’s P. Diddy Presents: The Bad Boys of Comedy. In 2009, he participated in America’s National Night Out Against Crime in Chicago, further expanding his public profile. These early appearances marked his transition from local stage work to national television.

Lil Rel Howery Career

Early Career (2007-2014)

In 2012, Howery was one of six comedians who starred in Fox’s revival of the 1990s sketch program In Living Color. The show was canceled in 2013. Following that, he worked as a writer, producer, and regular cast member on the truTV sketch comedy series Friends of the People. These early sketch and writing roles helped him build a broader portfolio beyond stand-up.

In early 2016, Netflix added his first exclusive solo stand-up special, Kevin Hart Presents: Lil Rel: RELevent, to its streaming library in the United States. The special introduced his voice to a wider audience and showcased the storytelling approach that would later define his more prominent acting roles.

Breakthrough (2015-2019)

Howery’s big break came in 2015 when he began co-starring as Bobby Carmichael on the NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show, working alongside series creator Jerrod Carmichael. The role ran from 2015 to 2017 and established him as a reliable comedic presence on network television. His performance in the series caught the attention of director Jordan Peele, who later cast him in a pivotal supporting role.

In 2017, Howery played Rod Williams in the satirical horror film Get Out, a performance that earned him the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance. The film became a cultural phenomenon, and his portrayal of the quick-thinking best friend became one of the most memorable comedic roles of the year. Riding that momentum, Fox picked up Rel on May 10, 2018, a sitcom starring Howery in the lead role with Jerrod Carmichael and Mike Scully as executive producers. The show, which was loosely based on his own life, premiered on September 9, 2018.

Continued Work (2019-2024)

Howery starred alongside Ryan Reynolds in the 2021 comedy film Free Guy, playing Buddy, a security guard. From 2019 to 2022, he played the character Bishop on the HBO Max sitcom South Side. In 2019, HBO released his second stand-up special, Lil Rel Howery: Live in Crenshaw, and his third special, I said it. Y’all thinking it., was filmed in Chicago and released in 2022.

Between 2022 and 2023, Howery appeared in several films, including I Love My Dad, Deep Water, and Vacation Friends 2. In 2024, he took on a role in the film adaptation of Harold and the Purple Crayon, playing the character Moose. Across these years he has balanced film roles, television work, and his stand-up career.

Notable Works and Milestones

Howery’s signature work includes the 2017 horror film Get Out and the NBC sitcom The Carmichael Show. He won the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance for Get Out and has released multiple stand-up specials through Netflix and HBO. His career reflects a steady climb from Chicago’s comedy clubs to leading roles in major studio productions.

Lil Rel Howery Award Nominations

Lil Rel Howery has received recognition across his career in comedy and acting, with his work in feature films and television drawing critical attention. His performance in the 2017 horror film Get Out earned him a major industry award. Beyond that win, he has been a working comedian and actor whose projects have resonated with audiences and peers alike.

Lil Rel Howery Awards Won

Howery won the 2017 MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance for his role as Rod Williams in Get Out. The win highlighted his ability to deliver humor in a genre-defining film. It remains one of the most prominent awards of his career.

Lil Rel Howery Family

Howery was born to Milton and Nancy, his parents, and raised on the West Side of Chicago. He attended Providence St. Mel School and later Crane High School, where his interest in comedy took shape. The nickname Lil Rel came from his older cousin Darrel, a family connection that became part of his public identity.

Personal Life

Howery married Verina Robinson on November 24, 2008, and the couple had two children. They divorced in 2017. In June 2016, Howery was a passenger in a vehicle that struck another car in University Village, Chicago. He was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor battery following the incident but was later found not guilty. The other driver subsequently sued him for injuries.