---
name: "Terrence Howard"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/terrence-howard"
fi1m_id: "terrence-howard"
imdb_id: "nm0005024"
tmdb_id: 18288
wikidata_id: "Q296500"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 March 1969"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 64
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-23T04:07:47.782548+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Terrence Howard

## Identity

Terrence Howard

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/terrence-howard
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** terrence-howard
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005024
- **TMDB ID:** 18288
- **Wikidata ID:** Q296500
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrence_Howard, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296500, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005024/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18288

Actor. Born 11 March 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 March 1969, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 2004–2013
- **Also known as:** Terence Howard, Terrence Dashon Howard
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 64, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 69 (4), 2010s 57 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 62 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 4, Action 1, Adventure 1, Animation 1, Comedy 1, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 15 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,411m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrence_Howard, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296500, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005024/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18288

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Iron Man*](https://film.one/film/iron-man.md) (80), [*The Princess and the Frog*](https://film.one/film/the-princess-and-the-frog.md) (72)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Butler*](https://film.one/film/the-butler.md) (66), [*Crash*](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md) (54)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Terrence Howard

> Terrence Howard’s stillness and wavering voice can make a forceful character seem less certain of himself. We value the restraint most: in *Iron Man*, he gives a supporting role enough life to make the hero’s company worth watching.

Rhodey seems to have a life to get back to when Tony Stark has finished talking. In *Iron Man* (2008), Terrence Howard supplies the sort of friendship a busy superhero film might otherwise take for granted. He helps make Stark seem like someone people have known for years, with habits they have learnt to accommodate. That is a substantial contribution to a film built around Robert Downey Jr.’s funny, abrasive lead. We rate Howard’s ability to make a supporting character feel worth following out of the scene.

The larger roles make different use of his characteristic stillness and the shake that can enter his voice. After gaining wider notice in *The Best Man* (1999), he broke through as Djay, a pimp and aspiring rapper, in *Hustle & Flow* (2005), performing music himself. *Crash* (2005) placed him in an ensemble as television producer Cameron Thayer. Later, *Empire* (2015–2020) made him hip-hop mogul Lucious Lyon. We find the quieter business of playing Rhodey just as revealing.

Jon Favreau gives the cast of *Iron Man* room to talk, and Howard belongs to that easy conversational rhythm. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts pushes back against Downey, while Howard and Jeff Bridges help establish people who matter beyond their usefulness to Stark. We warmed to Rhodey because Howard made him seem to have concerns beyond whatever Stark needed next. Howard does not need to make Rhodey more conspicuous to make him count. Favreau’s assurance with the ensemble lets that quieter contribution survive in a film with plenty of other things demanding attention.

There is a limit to how much we want the voice to do. Howard’s wavering delivery can make emotion audible without a speech explaining it, but too much emphasis on that tremor risks becoming a familiar signal for distress. The restraint matters because it leaves space for the other actor, something his ensemble work uses well. Start with *Iron Man* for that less showy Howard; the machinery is not always interesting, but the people usually are.

## Biography

Terrence Howard is an American actor. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he began his career with roles in the 1995 films *Mr. Holland's Opus* and *Dead Presidents*. He gained further attention for his performance in *The Best Man* (1999).

Howard received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his leading role in *Hustle & Flow* (2005). He appeared in *Crash* (2005) and played James "Rhodey" Rhodes in *Iron Man* (2008). He later starred as Lucious Lyon in the television series *Empire* (2015–2020). Howard has also released music, including the 2008 album *Shine Through It*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Movie 43* (2013), Fi1m 24, as Coach Jackson (segment "Victory's Glory") — [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *Prisoners* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Franklin Birch — [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *The Butler* (2013), Fi1m 66, as Howard — [page](https://film.one/film/the-butler.md)
- *The Princess and the Frog* (2009), Fi1m 72, as James (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-and-the-frog.md)
- *Iron Man* (2008), Fi1m 80, as Rhodey — [page](https://film.one/film/iron-man.md)
- *Crash* (2005), Fi1m 54, as Cameron Thayer — [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *Ray* (2004), Fi1m 70, as Gossie McGee — [page](https://film.one/film/ray.md)

## Complete filmography (100)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *BFFs* (2025), Actor
- *Crescent City* (2024), as Brian Sutter
- *Shirley* (2024), as Arthur Hardwick Jr.
- *Skeletons in the Closet* (2024), as Mark · Writer
- *Showdown at the Grand* (2023), as George Fuller
- *The Best Man: The Final Chapters* (2022), series, as Quentin
- *The System* (2022), as Bones
- *The Walk* (2022), as Lamont Robbins
- *Flowstate: The FPV Drone Documentary* (2021), Actor
- *Gully* (2021), as Mr. Christmas
- *Triumph* (2021), as Coach Cutting · Executive Producer
- *Las increíbles aventuras de un Hada Madrina* (2020), series, as Genio
- *Cut Throat City* (2020), as The Saint
- *Terrence Howard's Fright Club* (2018), Actor
- *Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams* (2017), series, as George
- *Fairy Godmother* (2016), as Genio
- *Cardboard Boxer* (2016), as Pope
- *Term Life* (2016), as Sheriff Braydon
- *Wayward Pines* (2015), series, as Sheriff Pope
- *Empire* (2015), series, as Lucious Lyon
- *St. Vincent* (2014), as Zucko
- *Lullaby* (2014), as Dr. Crier
- *Sabotage* (2014), as Julius "Sugar" Edmonds
- *The Best Man Holiday* (2013), as Quentin
- *Prisoners* (2013), as Franklin Birch — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/prisoners.md)
- *The Butler* (2013), as Howard — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-butler.md)
- *House of Bodies* (2013), as Starks
- *Dead Man Down* (2013), as Alphonse
- *Movie 43* (2013), as Coach Jackson (segment "Victory's Glory") — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *The Company You Keep* (2012), as FBI Agent Cornelius
- *Croom* (2012), as Narrator (voice)
- *On the Road* (2012), as Walter
- *Red Tails* (2012), as Col. A.J. Bullard
- *Winnie Mandela* (2011), as Nelson Mandela
- *The Ledge* (2011), as Hollis Lucetti
- *Little Murder* (2011), as Drag Hammerman
- *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Jonah Dekker
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Billy — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *The Princess and the Frog* (2009), as James (voice) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-princess-and-the-frog.md)
- *Fighting* (2009), as Harvey Boarden
- *2008 Philadelphia Phillies: The Official World Series Film* (2008), as narrator
- *Iron Man* (2008), as Rhodey — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/iron-man.md)
- *The Perfect Holiday* (2007), as Bah Humbug
- *Awake* (2007), as Dr. Jack Harper
- *August Rush* (2007), as Richard Jeffries
- *The Brave One* (2007), as Detective Mercer
- *The Hunting Party* (2007), as Duck
- *Pride* (2007), as Jim Ellis
- *Motherland Afghanistan* (2007), as Narrator
- *Idlewild* (2006), as Trumpy
- *Get Rich or Die Tryin'* (2005), as Bama
- *Four Brothers* (2005), as Lt. Green
- *Hustle & Flow* (2005), as Djay
- *Crash* (2005), as Cameron Thayer — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/crash-2005.md)
- *Animal* (2005), as Darius Allen
- *Their Eyes Were Watching God* (2005), as Amos Hicks
- *Lackawanna Blues* (2005), as Bill Crosby
- *The Salon* (2005), as Patrick
- *Ray* (2004), as Gossie McGee — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/ray.md)
- *Love Chronicles* (2003), as T-Roy
- *Biker Boyz* (2003), as Chu Chu (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
- *Fastlane* (2002), series, as Alton White
- *Street Time* (2002), series, as Lucius Mosley
- *Intimate Affairs* (2002), as Lorenz
- *Hart's War* (2002), as Lt. Lincoln A. Scott
- *Glitter* (2001), as Timothy Walker
- *Angel Eyes* (2001), as Robby
- *Boycott* (2001), as Ralph Abernathy
- *Love Beat the Hell Outta Me* (2000), as Chris · Executive Producer
- *Soul Food* (2000), series, as Benny Jones
- *Big Momma's House* (2000), as Lester Vesco
- *Muhammad Ali: King of the World* (2000), as Cassius Clay
- *The Best Man* (1999), as Quentin
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Jonah Dekker
- *Best Laid Plans* (1999), as Jimmy
- *Valerie Flake* (1999), as Hitchhiker
- *Mama Flora's Family* (1998), series, as Lincoln
- *Butter* (1998), as Dexter Banks
- *The Players Club* (1998), as K.C.
- *Spark* (1998), as Byron
- *Double Tap* (1997), as Ulysses
- *Johns* (1996), as Jimmy the Warlock
- *Sparks* (1996), series, as Greg Sparks
- *Sunset Park* (1996), as Spaceman
- *Mr. Holland's Opus* (1995), as Louis Russ
- *Dead Presidents* (1995), as Cowboy
- *Lotto Land* (1995), as Warren
- *The O.J. Simpson Story* (1995), as Young A.C.
- *New York Undercover* (1994), series, Actor
- *Living Single* (1993), series, as Brendan
- *Tall Hopes* (1993), series, as Chester Harris
- *Who's the Man?* (1993), as Customer
- *The Jacksons: An American Dream* (1992), series, as Jackie Jackson (adult)
- *Family Matters* (1989), series, as John
- *Coach* (1989), series, as Johnny Williams
- *Selfie*, Actor
- *The Movers*, as Robert Hartley
- *Miami Nights*, as David Wolfe
- *Turnbuckle*, as Executive Producer
- *Broken Ones*, as Benjamin Drake

## Gallery

- ![Terrence Howard](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-6b00e3f69f08.jpg) Terrence Howard — Frantogian, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/28/Terrence_Howard_-_Monte-Carlo.jpg/1280px-Terrence_Howard_-_Monte-Carlo.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![filmed in Griffin plaque in a sidewalk in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-8c419664243c.jpg) filmed in Griffin plaque in a sidewalk in Griffin, Spalding County, Georgia (2019) — Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Boycott_%28tv%29_plaque%2C_Griffin.jpg/1280px-Boycott_%28tv%29_plaque%2C_Griffin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Terrence Howard at the premiere of Prisoners, Toronto Film Festival 2013.](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-3dc895d7c19e.jpg) Terrence Howard at the premiere of Prisoners, Toronto Film Festival 2013. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Prisoners_06_%289766825145%29.jpg/1280px-Prisoners_06_%289766825145%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Terrence Howard at the premiere of Prisoners, Toronto Film Festival 2013.](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-7dad31b8c529.jpg) Terrence Howard at the premiere of Prisoners, Toronto Film Festival 2013. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Prisoners_07_%289766623362%29.jpg/1280px-Prisoners_07_%289766623362%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Terrence Howard](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-14999ef39186.jpg) Terrence Howard — Image via TMDB
- ![Terrence Howard](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-8a7829a1cd33.jpg) Terrence Howard — Image via TMDB
- ![Terrence Howard at the premiere of Prisoners, Toronto Film Festival 2013.](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-af07d9217c53.jpg) Terrence Howard at the premiere of Prisoners, Toronto Film Festival 2013. — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/Prisoners_08_%289766621571%29.jpg/1280px-Prisoners_08_%289766621571%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![United States actor Terrence Howard receiving instruction in an F-16 Fighting Falcon simulator to help prepare him for his role in the movie "Iron Man".](https://film.one/media/person/100117/gallery-65aa41b77f19.jpg) United States actor Terrence Howard receiving instruction in an F-16 Fighting Falcon simulator to help prepare him for his role in the movie "Iron Man". — U.S. Air Force photo/Jet Fabara, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/73/Terrence_Howard%2C_USAF.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2006: Best Actor (nominated), for *Hustle & Flow*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/terrence-howard