Terrence Howard Biography
Terrence Howard is an American actor. He is known for his first major roles in the 1995 films Dead Presidents and Mr. Holland’s Opus. Howard gained prominence through a series of television and film performances from 2004 to 2006. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal in Hustle & Flow.
Terrence Howard Age / Birthday
As of 2024, Howard is 55 years old, he was born on March 11, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States of America. He celebrates his birthday on March 11 every year.
Terrence Howard Height / Measurements
Howard is of average body stature and stands at an approximate height of 6 feet.
Terrence Howard Partner / Wife
Howard entered matrimony with his initial spouse, Lori McCommas, in the year 1993. The union faced dissolution in 2001, and experienced a remarriage in 2005, only to encounter another divorce. Their initial divorce proceedings were initiated in [Insert Year], and after a year, they once again pursued separate paths, finalizing their divorce for the second time in 2007.
Subsequently, Howard entered into a marital alliance with Michelle Ghent in 2010. Unfortunately, this union encountered turbulence as Ghent filed for divorce in February 2011. The situation escalated when, in December 2011, Ghent sought a restraining order, alleging physical abuse by Howard. The divorce reached its conclusion in May 2013.
However, in 2015, a judge overturned the agreement, contending that Howard signed it under duress, with Ghent allegedly threatening to disclose compromising images and personal details. In the aftermath of these legal complications, Howard tied the knot with his third spouse, model and restaurateur Mira Pak, towards the end of 2013. This union, too, concluded in divorce in 2015. Nevertheless, there was a twist in the tale, as they became engaged once more and planned to remarry in December 2018.
Terrence Howard Children
In Howard’s initial union with Lori McCommas, they share three children: two daughters and a son. Howard is also a grandfather to a granddaughter and a grandson. In his third marriage to Mira Park, Howard has two sons named Qirin Love born in 2015 and Heroborn in 2016.
Terrence Howard Family / Relatives
Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 11, 1969, to Tyrone and Anita Howard, who had both black and English roots. His great-grandmother, Minnie Gentry, was a notable actress. Howard’s upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, was challenging, marked by the hardships of a tumultuous childhood. He faced physical abuse from his father, Tyrone, who was later convicted of manslaughter for stabbing a man during the Santa Line Slaying when Terrence was just two years old.
Following his father’s conviction, Howard’s parents divorced, and he was raised by his great-grandmother until her passing at the age of 77 on May 11, 1993. Howard has three known siblings Antoni Howard, who was reportedly involved in Acting for a while, Terrell Howard, and Tyrone Howard Jr. Due to his mother’s multiple marriages, Terrence could have other siblings, but their names and details are not publicly available.
Terrence Howard Siblings
Howard has several siblings, although information about them can be a bit sparse. Antonio Howard: Not much is publicly known about Antonio, but he reportedly resides in Chicago and has maintained a lower profile than Terrence. Terrell Howard: Like Antonio, details about Terrell remain largely under wraps. However, some sources mention him playing sports in his youth. Tyrone Howard Jr.: Terrence’s half-brother through their father, Tyrone Howard Sr.
Tyrone Jr. has occasionally appeared in photos alongside Terrence, but their relationship and personal lives are not widely documented. Darnell Williams: Another of Terrence’s half-brothers, from his mother’s side. He reportedly served in the military and has participated in some public events with Terrence. Ariana Williams: Terrence’s half-sister through his mother, Anita Williams. Ariana seems to maintain a private life and avoids the spotlight.
Terrence Howard Education
He reportedly attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, studying chemical engineering and applied materials for three semesters in the early 1990s. However, the program at Pratt closed in 1993, and there’s no official record of his completion. In 2013, he claimed on The Jimmy Kimmel Live! show to have earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from South Carolina State University (SCSU) that same year. SCSU confirmed that he participated in their commencement ceremony that year and received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL), not a PhD, and he never attended their chemical engineering program.
Terrence Howard Career
Howard entered the entertainment industry with his portrayal of Jackie Jackson in The Jacksons: An American Dream, an ABC miniseries. His breakthrough in films came in 1995 with roles in Mr. Holland’s Opus and Dead Presidents. Howard’s diverse career includes appearances in The Best Man (1999), Ashanti’s music video for “Foolish” (2002), and Mary J. Blige’s video for “Be Without You.” He also made a notable appearance on the TV series Family Matters.
In the 2005 film Hustle & Flow, Howard played a pimp and aspiring rapper, performing all the character’s tracks, including the Academy Award-winning “It’s Hard out Here for a Pimp.” Beyond acting, he has ventured into film production, credited for the 2007 film Pride. In 2008, Howard hosted the PBS series Independent Lens.
Contracted to play Colonel James Rhodes in the 2008 film Iron Man, Howard was the highest-paid actor in the cast. He also released his debut adult alternative album, Shine Through It, in 2008, showcasing his talent in urban country music. Making his Broadway debut in 2008, Howard played Brick in an all-African-American production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
In 2015, Howard gained widespread recognition for his role as Lucious Lyon in the television series Empire, portraying a hip-hop mogul facing his mortality. In 2021, it was announced that Howard would star in the British sci-fi/thriller film Beneath, followed by his casting in the horror film Skeletons in the Closet in 2022.
Terrence Howard Net Worth
Through Howard’s career as an Actor, he has been able to accumulate a net worth that ranges between $5 Million and $ 5.5 Million.
Terrence Howard Iron Man
Howard played the role of Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Tony Stark’s best friend and fellow Air Force officer. Rhodey is a loyal and supportive friend to Tony, serving as his confidante and often offering a grounded perspective to Tony’s impulsiveness. He’s a skilled pilot and military officer, holding Tony accountable for his actions and sometimes voicing concerns about his burgeoning superhero persona. Towards the end of the film, Rhodey discovers Tony’s secret identity as Iron Man and sets out to confront him, though they reconcile and Rhodey even helps Tony fight against Stane.
Terrence Howard Retired
Howard announced his retirement from acting in December 2022. He stated that he felt he had given his best and was ready to pass the torch to a new generation of actors. He mentioned feeling like he was just repeating himself and wasn’t enjoying the work as much anymore.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t his first time announcing retirement. He previously said he was done after Empire wrapped up in 2019, but came back for projects like The Best Man: The Final Chapters. However, this time he seems serious, even referencing Sidney Poitier’s advice about not wanting to spend his later years doing impersonations of himself.
Terrence Howard Ethnicity
Howard’s ethnicity is multiracial, with African American and English ancestry. Both his parents were of mixed heritage, although the specific details vary depending on the source. Some sources state that his father was half Black and half English, while others say he was primarily African American with some European ancestry. His mother is generally described as African American with possible Native American and/or Hispanic roots.
Terrence Howard Empire
Howard’s role in Empire! That was certainly a defining chapter in his career and a major contribution to television history. Howard played Lucious Lyon, the ruthless and ambitious hip-hop mogul diagnosed with ALS in the pilot episode. He masterfully portrayed Lucious’s internal struggles: grappling with mortality, facing family rivalries, and navigating the cutthroat music industry. His performance earned him Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award nominations, and he won a BET Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series.
Terrence Howard Hustle & Flow
Terrence Howard’s role in Hustle & Flow is undeniably a highlight of his career. Howard plays Djay, a Memphis pimp struggling with a dead-end life. The role offered him a complex and layered character, grappling with internal conflicts, societal pressures, and the yearning for artistic expression. Howard’s commitment to the role was incredible. He immersed himself in Memphis culture, living with pimps and even learning to rap, perfecting Djay’s gritty authenticity and raw talent.
Terrence Howard Big Momma’s House
Howard appears in the 2000 comedy film “Big Momma’s House” but not in the way you might be thinking. He didn’t play a major character or have a significant role in the plot. He plays a minor role as Lester Vesco, the ex-boyfriend of Sherry Pierce (Nia Long), who ends up getting into some trouble with Malcolm (Martin Lawrence) while Malcolm is undercover as Big Momma.
Terrence Howard Ray
Terrence Howard played the role of Gossie McKee in the 2004 biopic Ray. Gossie was a pivotal figure in Ray Charles’ life, serving as both his musical mentor and close friend over several decades. Gossie was a blind pianist and arranger who played a crucial role in shaping Ray’s musical sound. Howard, himself a talented musician, convincingly conveyed Gossie’s deep understanding of music and his ability to guide Ray’s artistic development.
Terrence Howard Arrest and Abuse
In February 2009, The Smoking Gun reported that Howard faced legal issues in 2001, involving charges related to a violent incident with his estranged first wife. The charges included simple assault, terroristic threats, harassment, and stalking. Police reports indicated that after a phone argument, Howard forcibly entered his wife’s home, broke doors, and physically attacked her in the backyard, punching her twice in the face. The assault ceased when Howard’s brother intervened. In 2002, Howard pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace.
On December 5, 2011, a judge granted a restraining order to Howard’s then-wife, Michelle Ghent. Her claims included physical injuries requiring medical attention, Howard breaking her computer, repeated threats, and stalking via telephone and the Internet. In a September 2015 Rolling Stone interview, Howard acknowledged hitting his first wife in 2001, stating that he lost control after she spoke strongly to him and slapped her in front of their children.
Terrence Howard TV Shows
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2002): Guest appearance in an episode.
- CSI: Miami (2003): Another guest appearance.
- Lackawanna Blues (2005): Starring role in this HBO film that aired on TV.
- CSI: NY (2008): Guest appearance.
- House M.D. (2009): Recurring role as Darryl Strawberry.
- Law & Order: Los Angeles (2011): Guest appearance.
- Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013): Supporting role in this acclaimed miniseries.
- Empire (2015-2020): Lead role as Lucious Lyon, the music mogul, for six seasons. This cemented his television stardom.
- Wayward Pines (2015-2016): The main character is Sheriff Arnold Pope in the first season, with recurring guest appearances later.
- Electric Dreams (2017): Lead role in an episode of this anthology series.
- The Best Man: The Final Chapters (2022): Reprising his role as Quentin Spivey in this miniseries sequel to the beloved film franchise.
Terrence Howard Movies
Movie roles
- Crash (2004): In this ensemble drama exploring racial and social tensions in Los Angeles, Howard played Cameron, a successful TV director grappling with guilt and prejudice.
- The Best Man (1999): This beloved comedy, exploring the reunion of college friends and their unresolved romantic entanglements, saw Howard steal the show as Quentin Spivey, a flamboyant sportswriter with a hidden sensitive side.
- Iron Man (2008): Howard donned the armor of James “Rhodey” Rhodes, Tony Stark’s close friend and confidante, in the first “Iron Man” film.
- Prisoners (2013): In this chilling thriller, Howard played Franklin, a mysterious neighbor caught in the web of suspicion surrounding a missing child.
- Showdown at the Grand (2023): Howard takes on the role of George Fuller, a seasoned gambler trying to reclaim his glory in a high-stakes poker tournament.
- The Best Man: The Final Chapters (2022): Reprising his iconic role as Quentin Spivey, Howard reunites with the original cast of “The Best Man” in this Peacock miniseries.
- Triumph (2021): As Coach Cutting, Howard motivates a struggling high school basketball team to overcome adversity and achieve victory.
Terrence Howard Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Howard is active on his social media accounts. He has about 2.8 Million followers on his Facebook Page, about 243.8k followers on his Twitter account, and around 1.2 Million followers on his Instagram account.