Terrence Howard
Actor • Rapper • Producer
Birth Name: Terrence Dashon Howard
Birth Date: March 11, 1969
Age: 56 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
Fight Night: The Million Dollar HeistStream
Actor
Cadillac Richie
Series
2024
Skeletons in the ClosetStream
Actor
Mark
Movie
2024
Skeletons in the ClosetStream
Screenwriter
Movie
2024
ShirleyStream
Actor
Arthur Hardwick Jr.
Movie
2024
Crescent City
Actor
Brian Sutter
Movie
2024
Showdown at the Grand
Actor
George Fuller
Movie
2023
The Best Man: The Final ChaptersStream
Actor
Series
2022
The Jennifer Hudson ShowStream
Guest
Talk
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 CityStream
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
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
Wayward PinesStream
Guest Star
Series
2015
Lip Sync BattleStream
Contestant
Reality
2015
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Guest
Talk
2015
EmpireStream
Actor
Lucious Lyon
Series
2015
Inside Empire
Guest
Show
2014
Happy Holidays America
Guest
Show
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream
Guest
Talk
2014
SabotageStream
Actor
Julius "Sugar" Edmonds
Movie
2014
St. VincentStream
Actor
Zucko
Movie
2014
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
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
PrisonersStream
Actor
Franklin Birch
Movie
2013
Lee Daniels' The ButlerStream
Actor
Howard
Movie
2013
The Best Man HolidayStream
Actor
Quentin
Movie
2013
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
The Company You KeepStream
Actor
FBI Agent Cornelius
Movie
2012
LIVE with Kelly
Guest
Talk
2011
Dish NationStream
Guest
Talk
2011
Bob Ross: The Happy PainterStream
Actor
Movie
2011
Piers Morgan Tonight
Guest
Talk
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: LAStream
Actor
Deputy District Attorney Jonah "Joe" Dekker
Series
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
Talk
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
The Princess and the FrogStream
Voice
James
Movie
2009
Iron ManStream
Actor
Jim "Rhodey" Rhodes
Movie
2008
Awake
Actor
Dr. Jack Harper
Movie
2007
PrideStream
Actor
Jim Ellis
Movie
2007
August Rush
Actor
Richard Jeffries
Movie
2007
The Brave One
Actor
Det. Mercer
Movie
2007
The Hunting PartyStream
Actor
Duck
Movie
2007
The Perfect HolidayStream
Actor
Bah-Humbug
Movie
2007
Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita
Self
Movie
2007
Our World With Black Enterprise
Guest
Show
2006
IdlewildStream
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
Four BrothersStream
Actor
Lt. Green
Movie
2005
Their Eyes Were Watching God
Actor
Amos Hicks
Movie
2005
Hustle & FlowStream
Actor
Djay
Movie
2005
Get Rich or Die Tryin'Stream
Actor
Barna
Movie
2005
The Insider
Guest
Show
2004
Tavis Smiley
Guest
Talk
2004
RayStream
Actor
Gossie McKee
Movie
2004
CrashStream
Actor
Cameron
Movie
2004
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
Hart's WarStream
Actor
Lt. Lincoln A. Scott
Movie
2002
Live With Regis and Kelly
Guest
Show
2001
Boycott
Actor
Ralph Abernathy
Movie
2001
Angel EyesStream
Actor
Robby
Movie
2001
Investigating Sex
Actor
Lorenz
Movie
2001
Glitter
Actor
Timothy Walker
Movie
2001
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
Love Beat the Hell Outta Me
Executive Producer
Movie
2000
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream
Guest Star
Deputy D.A. Jonah Dekker
Series
1999
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
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
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
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 MorningStream
Guest
News
1979
Good Morning America
Guest
News
1975
Sesame StreetStream
Guest
Series
1969
TodayStream
Guest
News
1952
TodayStream
Music Performer
News
1952
Photos
News aboutTerrence Howard
‘Fight Night’ Muhammad Ali Series Starring Kevin Hart Releases Premiere Date, Teaser & First-Look Images
‘Law & Order: SVU’: Our 31 Favorite Celebrity Guests (So Far)
‘Fight Night’: Terrence Howard Joins Peacock’s Muhammad Ali Limited Series
13 Big Names Who Guest Starred on ‘Living Single,’ Now 30 Years Old
Preview
‘The Best Man’: Is ‘The Final Chapters’ Really the End?
‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ Official Trailer Sees Quentin’s Wedding Stir Up Emotions (VIDEO)
‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’: Peacock Releases Teaser for Limited Series (VIDEO)
‘The Best Man: The Final Chapters’ Sets Release Date: See New Photos of Jordan & Shelby (PHOTOS)
11 Stars Who Appeared on ‘Coach,’ Which Ended 25 Years Ago
13 Stars Who Appeared on ‘All My Children,’ Which Ended on ABC 10 Years Ago
‘The Best Man’ Limited Series With Original Movie Cast Ordered by Peacock
15 ‘Hawaii Five-0’ Guest Stars You May Have Forgotten
‘Empire’ to Conclude Series Early, Nixes Final Episodes Due to Coronavirus
Exclusive
Is Yana Ready for a Music Showcase? Lucious & Becky Disagree on ‘Empire’ (VIDEO)
Sneak Peek: ‘Empire’ Returns for Its Dramatic Final Episodes (PHOTOS)
Exclusive
The ‘Empire’ Cast Looks Back as the Final Season Nears (VIDEO)
Sneak Peek at the Sixth and Final Season of ‘Empire’ (PHOTOS)
‘Empire’ Cast Releases Letter Calling for Jussie Smollett’s Season 6 Return
Exclusive
‘Empire’ Sneak Peek: Lucious Has Something New to Hide (VIDEO)
‘Empire’ Season 4 Finale: EP Warns Music Label Is at Risk
Spoiler Alert
5 OMG Moments From ‘Empire’ Season 4 Episode 2
Clash of the Titans! ‘Empire’-‘Star’ Crossover Has Fan Favorites Battling Each Other
It’s Survival of the Fittest for the Lyon Family in ‘Empire’ Season 4 (VIDEO)
7 Things to Know About ‘Empire’ Season 4
The Lyons Meet Carlotta in ‘Empire’-‘Star’ Season Premiere Crossover Event
Watch: July 4th Movie Marathons to Make You Feel Patriotic
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Finale: The Fall of a King (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 17: The Cookie Element (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 16: Evil Stepmom (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 15: Lyons Protect Their Cubs (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 14: True Love Waits (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 13: Team Coocious (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 12: Not So Happy Birthday (RECAP)
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’ Season 3 Episode 11: Who Can You Trust? (RECAP)
Best Lines on TV This Week (March 17-23): ‘No. I Said I was Done With You. I Meant That.’
Spoiler Alert
‘Empire’: Lucious Brings the Heat to Keep His Throne in Season 3 Spring Premiere (RECAP)
Fox Throws the Best Super Bowl Party Ever—And You’re Invited
‘Empire’ Puts the Focus Back On the Lyons for Season 3
‘Empire’: First Look at Taye Diggs As Cookie’s Well-Connected Beau
Will Cookie Crumble When ‘Empire’ Returns This Spring?
Why ‘Empire’s Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard Are the Most Powerful TV Couple
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