Terrence Howard Bio
Terrence Dashon Howard (born March 11, 1969) is an American actor performing on film and television. He has received a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and two Independent Spirit Awards. Howard made his film debut in a minor role in the buddy comedy Who’s the Man? (1993). In 1995 he had a minor role in Mr. Holland’s Opus. He later was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as a pimp and drug dealer in Hustle & Flow (2005). He played James “Rhodey” Rhodes in the first Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man (2008). He played Quentin Spivey in the films The Best Man (1999) and The Best Man Holiday (2013) and the miniseries The Best Man: The Final Chapters (2022). On television, he portrayed Jackie Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992), Al Cowlings in The O. J. Simpson Story (1995), Cassius Clay in King of the World (2000), and Ralph Abernathy in Boycott (2001). He won an NAACP Image Award for his role in Lackawanna Blues (2005). He starred as the lead character Lucious Lyon in the Fox musical drama series Empire from 2015 to 2020. Howard made his Broadway debut playing Brick in the revival of the Tennessee Williams play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (2008). His debut album, Shine Through It, was released in September 2008. In December 2022, Howard announced that he planned to retire from acting, but has since appeared in several films and television shows.
Early Life and Background
Terrence Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 11, 1969, to Tyrone and Anita (née Williams) Howard, who were both of African and English ancestry. His great-grandmother was actress Minnie Gentry. Howard was raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where he had a rocky childhood. He has claimed that he endured beatings from his physically abusive father and that he saw his father stabbing another man when Terrence was two years old. His father was convicted of manslaughter and served 11 months in jail. Howard’s parents divorced upon his father’s release. He was raised by his great-grandmother, who died at the age of 77 in 1993.
Path to Hollywood
Howard made his big film break in 1995’s Mr. Holland’s Opus and Dead Presidents. He continued being cast in television and movie roles, and co-starred as Greg Sparks in the late-1990s short-lived television series Sparks. Howard also appeared in The Best Man (1999), in Ashanti’s music video for her 2002 single “Foolish”, and in Mary J. Blige’s video for “Be Without You”. Howard has said that he looks for characters that “teach him about himself” when choosing his film roles. For the 2005 film Hustle & Flow, Howard portrayed a pimp and aspiring rapper. He performed all the character’s tracks, including “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp”, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 78th Academy Awards. Howard has also worked as a film producer, credited for the 2007 film Pride. In 2008, Howard hosted the PBS series Independent Lens.
Terrence Howard Career
Early Career (1992–2005)
Howard made his film debut in 1993 and gained recognition with his role in Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995). His performance in Hustle & Flow (2005) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, marking a significant milestone in his career. He also starred in the critically acclaimed film Crash (2004), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Breakthrough (2008–2020)
In 2008, Howard starred in the blockbuster film Iron Man as James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a role that introduced him to a wider audience. Despite being the highest-paid actor in the film, he was replaced by Don Cheadle in the sequels due to contract disputes. From 2015 to 2020, he starred as Lucious Lyon in the hit television series Empire, which solidified his status as a leading actor in Hollywood. His portrayal of a music mogul navigating personal and professional challenges resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Notable Works and Milestones
Terrence Howard’s signature work includes his role in Hustle & Flow, which earned him an Academy Award nomination, and his portrayal of Lucious Lyon in Empire, which garnered him multiple award nominations and wins. His contributions to film and television have left a lasting impact on the industry.
Terrence Howard Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Terrence Howard has received numerous nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for Hustle & Flow, a Golden Globe nomination, and several Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
Terrence Howard Awards Won
Terrence Howard has won several awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance in the ensemble cast of Crash and an NAACP Image Award for his role in Lackawanna Blues.
Terrence Howard Family
Terrence Howard has been married four times to three women and has five children. His first marriage was to Lori McCommas, with whom he has three children. He later married Michelle Ghent and Mira Pak, with whom he has two sons born in 2015 and 2016.
Personal Life
Howard has faced legal issues and controversies throughout his life, including allegations of domestic violence in previous relationships. Despite these challenges, he continues to be a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
