Terrence Howard

Born in Chicago, IL, Terrence Howard is best known for his Golden Globe Award and Academy Award nominated work in HUSTLE & FLOW, as well as for his supporting role in the film CRASH, among many other notable films and television shows.

Terrence stars as ‘Lucious Lyon’ in Fox’s EMPIRE, television’s #1 new show. EMPIRE is a hip hop family project from Lee Daniels and Danny Strong which co-stars Taraji P. Henson and Gabourey Sidibe, and it will return for its second season on September 23rd, 2015. Terrence also recently starred in Fox’s WAYWARD PINES – a 10 episode psychological thriller from EP M. Night Shyamalan which premiered May 14, 2015. He has features pending including TERM LIFE (2015), BEST MAN WEDDING (2016) – a follow up to the big hit BEST MAN HOLIDAY, and CARDBOARD BOXER (2016).

Terrence made his feature film debut in the 1993 movie WHO’S THE MAN?, which he followed with the role of “Cowboy” in the period saga DEAD PRESIDENTS. In 1995, Howard was noticed for his role as a star high school athlete in MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS. In 1999, he was honored with the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination for his role as “Quentin” in THE BEST MAN. He was also seen in major hits such as the sequel feature THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY, IRON MAN, PRISONERS with Hugh Jackman, LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER, DEAD MAN DOWN, Robert Redford’s THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, and ON THE ROAD. Terrence’s additional film credits include his portrayal of Nelson Mandela, opposite Jennifer Hudson, in the film WINNIE, his starring role alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. and Bryan Cranston in George Lucas’ RED TAILS, as well as VALERIE FLAKE, BEST LAID PLANS, the Academy Award-nominated RAY, PRIDE, GET RICH OR DIE TRYIN’, THE BRAVE ONE, and AUGUST RUSH.

Terrence began his career with several notable TV appearances on shows such as LIVING SINGLE, NYPD BLUE and SOUL FOOD. He became well known for his lead role in the UPN series SPARKS. Howard also won a NAACP Image Award in 2011 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for LAW AND ORDER: LOS ANGELES.

A self-taught musician, Terrence writes, composes and produces music including “WHAT THE DJ SPINS”, a hit featured on EMPIRE. He also displayed his musical talents in RAY as Ray Charles’ one-time guitarist, Gossie McKee, and in HUSTLE & FLOW as the rapper “Djay,” in which Howard performed all the tracks for his character, including “It’s Hard Out Here For A Pimp,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Additionally, his debut album, SHINE THROUGH IT, was released in September 2008.

Terrence resides in Philadelphia, PA with his wife, Mira. He is set to become a father for the fourth time. He also has a strong interest in science, and has over 50 patents pending based on his scientific research and pursuits. He is also an artist, and he creates incredible light sculptures influenced by sacred geometry.