Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard Headshot

Actor • Rapper • Producer

Birth Date: March 11, 1969

Age: 55 years old

Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois

Terrence Howard is an Oscar-nominated actor who was best known for his roles in films like "Hustle & Flow" (2005) and "Iron Man" (2008), as well as his starring role on the Fox hip hop drama series "Empire" (Fox, 2015- ). Born in Chicago and raised in Cleveland, Howard grew up in a somewhat troubled household. His father was physically abusive and when Terrence was two his dad was convicted of manslaughter for stabbing a man after he cut in line to see Santa Claus at a Cleveland Department Store. His father would go on to serve 11 months in prison. Howard's parents divorced shortly after his father arrived home from prison so young Terrence would spend much of his time being raised by his great grandmother. Howard's great grandmother just happened to be a respected New York stage actress by the name of Minnie Gentry, who introduced Howard to acting when he was a young boy. As it would happen, Howard would later go on to be discovered by a casting agent while walking the streets of New York, thus setting his fledgling acting career into motion. Howard nabbed his first major role in 1992 when he played Jackie Jackson on the ABC miniseries "The Jacksons: An American Dream" (ABC, 1992). From there he would go on to appear in guest spots on shows like "Living Single" (Fox, 1993-98), "Coach" (ABC, 1989-1997), and "Family Matters" (ABC, 1989-1998). Then in 1995 Howard nabbed his first big break when he appeared in the Oscar-nominated film "Mr. Holland's Opus" (1995). Howard continued nabbing film roles over the next several years, most notably "The Best Man" (1999), "Hart's War" (2002), and "Crash" (2004). In 2005 Howard played an aspiring rap star in the music drama "Hustle & Flow." The film was widely acclaimed and earned Howard his first Oscar nod. Howard's next big role came in 2008 when he played Rhodey in the superhero film "Iron Man." Howard continued appearing in films over the next several years, before returning to television in 2015 as the star of the Fox hip hop drama "Empire." The series was a hit with audiences, and even further cemented Howard's status as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. The sixth season of "Empire" premiered in September of 2019, with Howard reprising his role as Luscious Lyon.

Credits

Skeletons in the ClosetStream

Actor
Mark
Movie
2024

Skeletons in the ClosetStream

Screenwriter
Movie
2024

Shirley

Actor
Arthur Hardwick Jr.
Movie
2024

Showdown at the Grand

Actor
George Fuller
Movie
2023

The Best Man: The Final ChaptersStream

Actor
Series
2022

The Walk

Actor
Lamont Robbins
Movie
2022

The System

Actor
Bones
Movie
2022

Triumph

Actor
Coach Cutting
Movie
2021

Triumph

Executive Producer
Movie
2021

Cut Throat City

Actor
The Saint
Movie
2020

Gully

Actor
Mr. Christmas
Movie
2019

MasterChef Junior: Celebrity Showdown

Contestant
Show
2018

Terrence Howard's Fright Club

Executive Producer
Show
2018

Terrence Howard's Fright Club

Host
Show
2018

Electric DreamsStream

Actor
George
Series
2017
72%

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

Empire Cast Feat. Terrence Howard: Dream On With You

Music Performer
Show
2017

Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party

Guest
Reality
2016

Lincoln Empire Facebook Live Post Show

Actor
Show
2016

Harry

Guest
Talk
2016

Empire Aftershow

Actor
Show
2016

Empire Cast Feat. Jussie Smollett, Terrence Howard, & Yazz: Chasing the Sky

Music Performer
Show
2016

Empire Cast Feat. Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett & Yazz: Chasing The Sky

Music Performer
Show
2016

Term Life

Actor
Braydon
Movie
2016

Cardboard Boxer

Actor
Pope
Movie
2016

Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays

Host
Show
2015

Taraji and Terrence's White Hot Holidays

Music Performer
Show
2015

Empire Cast Feat. Terrence Howard & Bre-Z: Boom Boom Boom Boom

Music Performer
Show
2015

Empire Cast Feat. Terrence Howard & Petey Pablo: Snitch Bitch

Music Performer
Show
2015

Wayward PinesStream

Actor
Sheriff Pope
Series
2015
60%

Wayward PinesStream

Guest Star
Series
2015
60%

Lip Sync BattleStream

Contestant
Reality
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

EmpireStream

Actor
Lucious Lyon
Series
2015
84%

Inside Empire

Guest
Show
2014

Happy Holidays America

Guest
Show
2014

Wayward Pines: Extras

Actor
Show
2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

Guest
Talk
2014

SabotageStream

Actor
Julius "Sugar" Edmonds
Movie
2014
21%

St. VincentStream

Actor
Zucko
Movie
2014
77%

Lullaby

Actor
Movie
2014

Take Me to the River

Narrator
Movie
2014

Happy Holidays America 2013

Guest
Show
2013

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Dead Man Down: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

B.B. King With Special Guests Terrence Howard, Richie Sambora and Solange

Guest
Show
2013

House of Bodies

Actor
Starks
Movie
2013

Movie 43

Actor
Coach Jackson
Movie
2013

Dead Man DownStream

Actor
Alphonse
Movie
2013
42%

PrisonersStream

Actor
Franklin Birch
Movie
2013
81%

Lee Daniels' The ButlerStream

Actor
Howard
Movie
2013
72%

The Best Man HolidayStream

Actor
Quentin
Movie
2013
70%

Katie

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Larry King NowStream

Guest
Talk
2012

Red TailsStream

Actor
Col. A.J. Bullard
Movie
2012
40%

The Company You KeepStream

Actor
FBI Agent Cornelius
Movie
2012
54%

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

Dish Nation

Guest
Talk
2011

Bob Ross: The Happy Painter

Actor
Show
2011

Piers Morgan Tonight

Guest
Show
2011

The Ledge

Actor
Hollis
Movie
2011

Winnie

Actor
Nelson Mandela
Movie
2011

Little Murder

Actor
Drag Hammerman
Movie
2011

2010 Soul Train Awards

Host
Show
2010

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Law & Order: LA

Actor
Deputy District Attorney Jonah "Joe" Dekker
Show
2010

Hawaii Five-0Stream

Guest Star
Series
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

An Evening of Stars: Tribute to Lionel Richie

Guest Star
Show
2010

Diary of a Princess: Princess & the Frog

Guest
Show
2009

2009 Soul Train Awards

Host
Show
2009

Lopez Tonight

Guest
Show
2009

The Mo'Nique Show

Actor
Show
2009

The Brian McKnight Show

Guest
Show
2009

ES.TV

Guest
Show
2009

The Dr. Oz Show

Guest
Talk
2009

Watch What Happens Live With Andy CohenStream

Guest
Talk
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

B.B. King Live

Music Performer
Show
2009

FightingStream

Actor
Harvey Boarden
Movie
2009
39%

The Princess and the FrogStream

Voice
James
Movie
2009
85%

Iron ManStream

Actor
Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes
Movie
2008
94%

Awake

Actor
Dr. Jack Harper
Movie
2007

PrideStream

Actor
Jim Ellis
Movie
2007
47%

August Rush

Actor
Richard Jeffries
Movie
2007

The Brave One

Actor
Det. Mercer
Movie
2007

The Hunting Party

Actor
Duck
Movie
2007

The Perfect Holiday

Actor
Bah-Humbug
Movie
2007

Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita

Self
Movie
2007

Our World With Black Enterprise

Guest
Show
2006

Idlewild

Actor
Trumpy
Movie
2006

The World According to Sesame Street

Actor
Movie
2006

Made in Hollywood

Guest
Series
2005

The Martha Stewart Show

Guest
Reality
2005

Out There with Melissa DiMarco

Guest
Show
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Animal

Actor
Darius Allen
Movie
2005

The Salon

Actor
Patrick
Movie
2005

Lackawanna Blues

Actor
Bill Crosby
Movie
2005
75%

Four BrothersStream

Actor
Lt. Green
Movie
2005
53%

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Actor
Amos Hicks
Movie
2005

Hustle & FlowStream

Actor
Djay
Movie
2005
82%

Get Rich or Die Tryin'Stream

Actor
Barna
Movie
2005
17%

The Insider

Guest
Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

RayStream

Actor
Gossie McKee
Movie
2004
79%

CrashStream

Actor
Cameron
Movie
2004
74%

Urban Style

Guest
Show
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Soundstage

Music Performer
Show
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Love Chronicles

Actor
T-Roy
Movie
2003

FastlaneStream

Guest Star
Series
2002
47%

Hart's WarStream

Actor
Lt. Lincoln A. Scott
Movie
2002
60%

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

Boycott

Actor
Ralph Abernathy
Movie
2001

Angel EyesStream

Actor
Robby
Movie
2001
32%

Investigating Sex

Actor
Lorenz
Movie
2001

Glitter

Actor
Timothy Walker
Movie
2001
6%

106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live

Actor
Show
2000

Entertainment Studios.com

Guest
Show
2000

Soul Food

Guest Star
Series
2000

Muhammad Ali: King of the World

Actor
Cassius Clay
Movie
2000

Love Beat the Hell Outta Me

Actor
Chris
Movie
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Deputy D.A. Jonah Dekker
Series
1999
78%

Independent LensStream

Host
Series
1999

Valerie Flake

Actor
Hitchhiker
Movie
1999

Best Laid Plans

Actor
Jimmy
Movie
1999

The Best ManStream

Actor
Quentin
Movie
1999
72%

Spark

Actor
Byron
Movie
1999

Kickin' It: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1998

Butter

Actor
Dexter Banks
Movie
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Sparks

Actor
Greg Sparks
Show
1996

Johns

Actor
Jimmy the Warlock
Movie
1996

Sunset Park

Actor
Spaceman
Movie
1996

Shadow-Ops

Actor
Show
1995

Dead PresidentsStream

Actor
Cowboy
Movie
1995
49%

Entertainers: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1994

New York UndercoverStream

Guest Star
Series
1994

Extra

Guest
News
1994

NYPD BlueStream

Guest Star
A.J. Foreman
Series
1993
83%

Late Night With Conan O'Brien

Guest
Talk
1993

Late Show With David Letterman

Music Performer
Talk
1993

Tall Hopes

Actor
Chester Harris
Show
1993

The Jacksons: An American Dream

Actor
Jackie Jackson
Miniseries
1992

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

CoachStream

Guest Star
Johnny Williams
Series
1989

CBS News Sunday Morning

Guest
News
1979

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Sesame StreetStream

Guest
Series
1969

Today

Guest
News
1952

Today

Music Performer
News
1952

News aboutTerrence Howard

Terrence Howard on red carpet

‘Fight Night’: Terrence Howard Joins Peacock’s Muhammad Ali Limited Series

The cast of 'Living Single' - Queen Latifah, Terrence Carson, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Kim Coles

13 Big Names Who Guest Starred on ‘Living Single,’ Now 30 Years Old

Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan - 'The Best Man'
Preview

‘The Best Man’: Is ‘The Final Chapters’ Really the End?

Sanaa Lathan & Taye Diggs in 'The Best Man: The Final Chapters'

‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ Official Trailer Sees Quentin’s Wedding Stir Up Emotions (VIDEO)

The Best Man: The Final Chapters

‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’: Peacock Releases Teaser for Limited Series (VIDEO)

Nia Long as Jordan Armstrong, Melissa De Sousa as Shelby in The Best Man: The Final Chapters - Season 1

‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ Sets Release Date: See New Photos of Jordan & Shelby (PHOTOS)

Coach Craig T. Nelson Bill Fagerbakke

11 Stars Who Appeared on ‘Coach,’ Which Ended 25 Years Ago

Josh Duhamel, Elizabeth Banks, Daniel Dae Kim

13 Stars Who Appeared on ‘All My Children,’ Which Ended on ABC 10 Years Ago

The Best man Holiday - Terrence Howard, Regina Hall, Eddie Cibrian

‘The Best Man’ Limited Series With Original Movie Cast Ordered by Peacock

Hawaii Five-0 Terrence Howard Kendall Jenner Sean Combs

15 ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Guest Stars You May Have Forgotten

Empire Season 6 Cast

‘Empire’ to Conclude Series Early, Nixes Final Episodes Due to Coronavirus

Empire Season 6 Episode 13 Sneak Peek Lucious vs Becky
Exclusive

Is Yana Ready for a Music Showcase? Lucious & Becky Disagree on ‘Empire’ (VIDEO)

FOX EMPIRE TALK LESS TARAFI P HENSON TERRENCE HOWARD DESK

Sneak Peek: ‘Empire’ Returns for Its Dramatic Final Episodes (PHOTOS)

Empire - Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson
Exclusive

The ‘Empire’ Cast Looks Back as the Final Season Nears (VIDEO)

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Sneak Peek at the Sixth and Final Season of ‘Empire’ (PHOTOS)

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‘Empire’ Cast Releases Letter Calling for Jussie Smollett’s Season 6 Return

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Exclusive

‘Empire’ Sneak Peek: Lucious Has Something New to Hide (VIDEO)

Empire

‘Empire’ Season 4 Finale: EP Warns Music Label Is at Risk

Empire-cast
Spoiler Alert

5 OMG Moments From ‘Empire’ Season 4 Episode 2

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Clash of the Titans! ‘Empire’-‘Star’ Crossover Has Fan Favorites Battling Each Other

EMPIRE - Taraji P. Henson

It’s Survival of the Fittest for the Lyon Family in ‘Empire’ Season 4 (VIDEO)

Empire Season 4

7 Things to Know About ‘Empire’ Season 4

Queen Latifah in Star

The Lyons Meet Carlotta in ‘Empire’-‘Star’ Season Premiere Crossover Event

Red Tails - David Oyelowo, Ne-Yo, Tristan Wilds, Michael B. Jordan, Nate Parker

Watch: July 4th Movie Marathons to Make You Feel Patriotic

empire-season-3-finale-hakeem-andre-jamal
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Finale: The Fall of a King (RECAP)

empire-season-3-ep-17-team-cookie
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 17: The Cookie Element (RECAP)

empire-season-3-ep-16-lyons
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 16: Evil Stepmom (RECAP)

Empire Season 3
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 15: Lyons Protect Their Cubs (RECAP)

Empire - Taye Diggs as Angelo and Taraji P. Henson as Cookie
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 14: True Love Waits (RECAP)

Empire - Nia Long, Terrence Howard
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 13: Team Coocious (RECAP)

Empire-Season3-EP12-Hakeem-Tiana-Jamal
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 12: Not So Happy Birthday (RECAP)

Empire - Lucious (Terrence Howard) tells Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) and Angelo (Taye Diggs) that he can hurt someone if he really wanted to
Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 11: Who Can You Trust? (RECAP)

Best Lines of the Week - March 17-23

Best Lines on TV This Week (March 17-23): ‘No. I Said I was Done With You. I Meant That.’

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Spoiler Alert

‘Empire’: Lucious Brings the Heat to Keep His Throne in Season 3 Spring Premiere (RECAP)

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Fox Throws the Best Super Bowl Party Ever—And You’re Invited

Empire - Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Trai Byers, Bryshere Gray, and Jussie Smollett

‘Empire’ Puts the Focus Back On the Lyons for Season 3

Empire (Season 3)

‘Empire’: First Look at Taye Diggs As Cookie’s Well-Connected Beau

Empire - Taraji P. Henson

Will Cookie Crumble When ‘Empire’ Returns This Spring?

Empire - Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard

Why ‘Empire’s Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard Are the Most Powerful TV Couple

Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard in Empire

‘Empire’ Premiere: Season 2 Starts With Craziness and Questions