# Terrence Howard
**Terrence Howard** (full name Terrence Dashon Howard; born 1969 in Chicago) is an American actor and singer whose career spans film, television, and music, and who is best known for the Oscar-nominated lead in *Hustle & Flow* (2005) and for playing music mogul [Lucious Lyon](https://www.edgepedia.org/lucious-lyon) on the Fox series *[Empire](https://www.edgepedia.org/empire-2015-tv-series)*[1](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2001040641.html) • [2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1969, Chicago, Illinois; authorized name Terrence Dashon Howard[1](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2001040641.html) |
| Breakthrough | The 2004 film *Crash* (as Cameron), followed by an Academy Award-nominated lead turn in *Hustle & Flow* (2005)[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/) • [3](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard) |
| Signature TV role | Lucious Lyon on *Empire*, created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/) |
| Music | Performed on the *Hustle & Flow* soundtrack, including "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp"; debut album *Shine Through It* (Columbia/Sony, 2008)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271) |
| Marvel role | Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes in *Iron Man* (2008); replaced by Don Cheadle in the sequel after a public salary dispute[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard) • [2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/) |
| Recognition | Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations; BET Best Actor Award (2015); Hollywood Walk of Fame star (2019)[5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard) • [6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/) • [2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/) |
| Career span | A 27-year career in film, television, and music as tallied at his 2019 Walk of Fame honor[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/) |
## Early life and education
The Library of Congress authority record establishes the authorized name as Terrence Dashon Howard, born 1969 in Chicago, an American actor and singer; its variant forms include Terrance Dashon Howard, Terrence DaShon Howard, and Terrence DaShown Howard[1](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2001040641.html).
Howard was born in Chicago and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, where summers with his great-grandmother, the New York stage actress Minnie Gentry, first sparked his interest in acting[5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard). BlackPast records his parents as Tyrone Howard and Anita Hawkins Williams, both biracial, and that after their divorce he was sent to live with Gentry in [Cleveland](https://www.edgepedia.org/cleveland)[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
The route into the profession ran through New York. According to AllMusic, Howard was emancipated by age 16, moved to New York City at 18, and studied chemical engineering for a time at [Pratt Institute](https://www.edgepedia.org/pratt-institute)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271). The Television Academy states that a casting director discovered him on a New York City street, leading to television appearances on *Living Single*, *NYPD Blue*, and *Soul Food*, and a lead role in the UPN series *Sparks*[5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard). His screen debut came earlier still: BlackPast dates his first acting job to 1992, playing [Jackie Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/jackie-jackson) in the ABC miniseries *The Jacksons: An American Dream*[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
## Film career and breakthrough
Howard worked steadily through the 1990s before mainstream recognition arrived. A 2001 *New York Times Magazine* profile noted that *The Best Man* (1999), in which he played Quentin, introduced him to Hollywood after a decade of television work including *The Jacksons* and *NYPD Blue* guest spots[7](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/18/magazine/terrence-howard-is-a-player.html). The [American Film Institute](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-film-institute) catalog credits him as Spaceman in *Sunset Park* (1996), Lt. Lincoln A. Scott in *Hart's War* (2002), and Gossie McGee in *Ray* (2004), alongside *The Best Man*[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard).
**The 2004–05 peak.** Variety identifies the 2004 film *Crash*, in which Howard played Cameron, as the performance that launched him to career heights, followed by the Oscar-nominated lead in 2005's *Hustle & Flow*[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/). The AFI catalog lists the dense run of 2005 roles that followed: Djay in *Hustle & Flow*, Bama in *Get Rich or Die Tryin'*, Lt. Green in *Four Brothers*, and, in the next two years, Trumpy in *Idlewild*, Jim Ellis in *Pride*, Det. Mercer in *The Brave One*, and Richard Jeffries in *[August Rush](https://www.edgepedia.org/august-rush)*[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard).
The AFI record continues through the 2010s: Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes in *Iron Man* (2008), Harvey Boarden in *Fighting* (2009), Hollis in *The Ledge* (2011), Alphonse in *Dead Man Down* (2013), Howard in *Lee Daniels' The Butler* (2013), and Zucko in *St. Vincent* (2014)[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard).
## Empire and television stardom
Howard's signature television role is Lucious Lyon on *Empire*, the Fox series created by [Lee Daniels](https://www.edgepedia.org/lee-daniels) and [Danny Strong](https://www.edgepedia.org/danny-strong), in which he starred opposite [Taraji P. Henson](https://www.edgepedia.org/taraji-p-henson)[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/) • [5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard). BlackPast calls the music-mogul role his best known and records the BET Best Actor Award for it in 2015[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
AllMusic credits Howard as composer and featured artist on the series' soundtrack releases from 2015 through 2019, including *Empire: Season 6* (2019)[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271). Variety's feature appeared during the show's final season, timed to a [Hollywood Walk of Fame](https://www.edgepedia.org/hollywood-walk-of-fame) honor for Howard[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/).
## The Marvel departure
After co-starring as James Rupert "Rhodey" Rhodes in 2008's *Iron Man*, Howard did not reprise the role in any follow-up films; Variety reports he was embroiled in a public salary dispute[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/). BlackPast records that he was replaced by [Don Cheadle](https://www.edgepedia.org/don-cheadle) in the sequel[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
## Music and business ventures
Howard performed as the character Djay in *Hustle & Flow*, recording all of his own songs for the role[8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/terrence-howard/bio/3000054814/). AllMusic notes he performed on several soundtrack cuts, including "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp," which won Best Original Song at the 78th annual Academy Awards[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271). That award went to the song, not to Howard personally; his own Oscar recognition for the film was an acting nomination[5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard).
His recording career extended beyond soundtracks. A self-taught pianist and guitarist, Howard released his debut album *Shine Through It* on Columbia/Sony in 2008, produced with Miles Mosley and blending influences into what he called "urban country"; he is credited as primary artist, producer, arranger, composer, vocalist, and guitarist[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271). BlackPast adds that he co-wrote all the songs on the album[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
As a producer, Encyclopedia.com credits Howard as executive producer of *Love Beat the Hell Outta Me* (2000)[9](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/howard-terrence-dashon-terrence-howard). The Library of Congress lists his fields of activity as acting, music, motion picture production and direction, motion picture authorship, and television authorship[1](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2001040641.html).
## Awards and recognition
The documented honors cluster around two films and one series. For *The Best Man*, Encyclopedia.com records a 2000 Independent Spirit Award nomination for best supporting male, an Image Award for outstanding supporting actor in a motion picture, and a Chicago Film Critics Association Award nomination for most promising actor, plus a 2002 Image Award nomination for *Boycott*[9](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/howard-terrence-dashon-terrence-howard); BlackPast separately records the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1999[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/). For *Crash*, BlackPast lists the Independent Spirit Award in 2004[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
For *Hustle & Flow*, the Television Academy records the Academy Award nomination, [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) adds the [National Board of Review](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-board-of-review)'s Breakthrough Actor designation[8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/terrence-howard/bio/3000054814/), and the Television Academy notes a later Golden Globe nomination for *Lee Daniels' The Butler*[5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard). For *Empire*, BlackPast records the 2015 BET Best Actor Award[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/). TV Guide also records the 2017 American Black Film Festival Excellence in the Arts Award[8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/terrence-howard/bio/3000054814/), and Variety's feature marked the 2019 Hollywood Walk of Fame star[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/).
## By the numbers
An AFI filmography runs from *Sunset Park* (1996) to *St. Vincent* (2014)[3](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard); a career Variety tallied at 27 years at the time of the 2019 feature[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/); a debut album released in 2008[4](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271); and the set of award wins and nominations listed above.
## Later career and announced retirement
Television work outside *Empire* included a starring role in the short-lived *Law & Order: Los Angeles* in the 2010–2011 season, plus notable performances in the television films *Lackawanna Blues* (2005) and *Boycott* (2001)[5](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard). On stage, Howard made his Broadway debut in 2008 playing Brick in an all-African-American production of *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* directed by [Debbie Allen](https://www.edgepedia.org/debbie-allen)[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/) • [8](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/terrence-howard/bio/3000054814/).
In the 2019 Variety interview, given as *Empire* headed toward its end and as he received his Walk of Fame star, Howard said his performing career would end with the character Lucious: "I'm through performing for people. Those days are done. That ends with Lucious"[2](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/). BlackPast records an announced retirement from acting, quoting him as saying "I'm done with acting. I'm done pretending," and reported that he lived in Lafayette Hills, Pennsylvania[6](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/).
## References
1. [Howard, Terrence — Library of Congress Name Authority Record](https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2001040641.html)
2. [Terrence Howard Reflects on Road to Walk of Fame Honor, Variety (2019)](https://variety.com/2019/film/features/terrence-howard-empire-walk-of-fame-interview-1203335805/)
3. [AFI|Catalog — Terrence Howard](https://catalog.afi.com/Person/211747-Terrence-Howard)
4. [Terrence Howard — AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/terrence-howard-mn0000385271)
5. [Terrence Howard — Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/bios/terrence-howard)
6. [Terrence Howard (1969– ) — BlackPast.org](https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/terrence-howard-1969/)
7. [Terrence Howard Is a Player, The New York Times Magazine (2001)](https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/18/magazine/terrence-howard-is-a-player.html)
8. [Terrence Howard Biography — TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/terrence-howard/bio/3000054814/)
9. [Howard, Terrence Dashon — Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/howard-terrence-dashon-terrence-howard)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames He to Hs*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license