Terrence Howard

Infobox actor

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imagesize = 200px
caption = Howard in May 2007.
birthname = Terrence Dashon Howard
birthdate = birth date and age|1969|3|11
birthplace = Chicago, Illinois
occupation = Actor and Singer
yearsactive = 1992–present
spouse = Lori McCommas (1989-2003)
Lori McCommas (2005-)
naacpimageawards = Outstanding Supporting Actor - Motion Picture
2000 "The Best Man"
2006 "Crash"
sagawards = Best Cast - Motion Picture
2005 "Crash"
awards = Satellite Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
2006 "Hustle & Flow"

Terrence Dashon Howard (born March 11, 1969) is an Academy Award-nominated American film and stage actor, and singer. Having appeared in film and on television since the late 1980s, Howard had his first major role in the 1995 film "Mr. Holland's Opus", which subsequently led to a number of roles in films and high visibility among African American audiences. Howard broke into the mainstream with a succession of well-reviewed television and film roles between 2004 and 2006. Among his roles in movies includes "Ray", "Lackawanna Blues", "Crash", " Four Brothers", "Hustle & Flow", "Get Rich or Die Tryin'", "Idlewild", "The Brave One", and most recently, "Iron Man". His debut pop album, "Shine Through It," heavily inspired by popular soul singers such as Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield, was released in September 2008.

Biography

Early life

Howard was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was raised in Cleveland, Ohio. His grandmother, Minnie Gentry, was a stage actress, as were his mother and uncles. His parents were both biracial, of African American and Caucasian descent; he has said he experienced racism throughout his childhood. His father, Tyrone Howard, was involved in what has been termed the Santa Line Slaying, serving 11 months in prison on manslaughter charges after stabbing another man in self-defense. At the age of 16, Howard emancipated himself from his parents and was put on welfare; at 18, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career. He wanted to be a science teacher, though he had a low grade point average in high school and was admitted to the Pratt Institute in New York only after convincing them to give him a special entrance exam. Howard did not complete his education, as he had joined his brother on an audition for "The Cosby Show" and was cast in the role. Howard had a principal role in a short-lived CBS sitcom, "Tall Hopes". He has cameod in Marvel vs. Capcom 2 as War Machine.

Career

Howard's made his big film break in 1995s "Mr. Holland's Opus". He continued being cast in television and movie roles and co-starred as "Greg Sparks" in the late-1990s television series "Sparks" with James L. Avery, Sr. and Miguel A. Nunez Jr. Howard also appeared in "Best Man" (1999), in Ashanti's music video for her 2002 single "Foolish" and in Mary J. Blige's video for "Be Without You". Howard also made a short appearance on the TV series Family Matters.

In 2005, he received both Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for his role in "Hustle & Flow" (a role for which he was paid only $12,000). In 2006, Howard was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. [ [http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2006/06.07.01a.html Academy Invites 120 to Membership ] ] In 2007, He appeared in the film "Pride", playing Jim Ellis, a real-life schoolteacher who founded the first African-American swim team during the 1970s. Howard trained with Ellis for several months in preparation for the role. The same year, he starred in "The Hunting Party", a comic thriller in which he played a cameraman in Bosnia opposite Golden Globe Award winner Richard Gere and Jesse Eisenberg; "The Brave One", a drama co-starring Academy Award winner Jodie Foster; "August Rush", also starring Academy Award winner Robin Williams; and "Awake", a thriller with Jessica Alba and Golden Globe Award nominee Hayden Christensen. In 2008, he co-starred in "Iron Man", playing Jim Rhodes. "I feel like Sidney Poitier and Jackie Robinson", he told CraveOnline in regards to his responsibility to successfully portray the character's integrity as an ethnic superhero. [ [http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648325/terrence_howard_is_bad_now.html Terrence Howard is Bad Now!] ] Filming on "Iron Man" began in the spring of 2007. It has also been announced that Howard will re-team with "Hustle & Flow" director Craig Brewer for a film based on the life of Country Music legend Charley Pride. Howard has stated that he looks for characters that "teach him about himself" when choosing his film roles. Howard has also worked as a film producer, receiving such a credit for the film "Pride". As of 2008, Howard hosts the PBS' series "Independent Lens."

In 2008, he made his Broadway debut, playing Brick in an all-African-American production of Tennessee Williams's "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", directed by Debbie Allen and also starring James Earl Jones (Big Daddy), Phylicia Rashad (Big Mama) and Anika Noni Rose (Maggie).

On 1st September 2008 he will release the album "Shine Through It" in the UK.

Personal life

Howard, who lives outside Philadelphia in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania,cite news|last=Koltnow|first=Barry|coauthors=|title=A star emerges: Terrence Howard is finally in the spotlight|pages=|publisher=PopMatters|date=2007-03-22|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/news/article/32126/a-star-emerges-terrence-howard-is-finally-in-the-spotlight/|accessdate=2007-03-22] was married to Lori McCommas for 14 years.http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_4_36/ai_n15340948/pg_3] The couple has three children: two daughters (Aubrey and Heaven) and a son (Hunter). Howard and his wife divorced in 2003 and remarried again in 2005, but have since separated. Press reports have since noted that Howard is "trying to reunite" with his wife, and that he has stated that he is "chasing after" her.cite news|last=Cohen|first=Sandy|coauthors=|title=Terrence Howard tries on more leading roles, a music career|pages=|publisher=Akron Beacon Journal|date=2007-03-22|url=http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/entertainment/gossip/16949741.htm|accessdate=2007-03-22] His wife is Jewish, and is raising their children in the Jehovah's Witness faith. [ [http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,2280108,00.html Interview: Iron Man star Terrence Howard on music, movies and making mayhem | Film | The Observer ] ] In an interview with NPR, he explains his desire to convert to the Witnesses. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10320391 NPR: Terrence Howard: 'I Would Be a Witness' ] ] He is a self-taught guitarist and pianist. Howard has described physics as his "main love" and has expressed interest in completing his education and obtaining a doctorate.

Music

Although Howard was not a music artist, he performed in several tracks for "Hustle and Flow". The song "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" was written by Three 6 Mafia and produced by DJ Pauly Shore. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 78th Annual Academy Awards, and it is also available in a version by Three 6 Mafia. The songs "Hustle And Flow (It Ain't Over)" and "Whoop That Trick", were composed by Al Kapone. All three tracks were performed by Terrence Howard, and they can be heard in the "Hustle & Flow Soundtrack". Howard had been working on his first album since March 2007. Howard has described the album, containing Spanish guitar and R&B. The album, titled Shine Through It, was release on September 1st, 2008.

Filmography

Films

Television movies

Awards and nominations

Awards

*2000: NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture ("The Best Man")
*2002: Black Reel Award, Network/Cable-Best Supporting Actor ("Boycott")
*2005: Black Movie Award, Best Actor ("Hustle & Flow")
*2005: Los Angeles Film Critics Association, New Generation Award
*2006: NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture ("Crash")

Nominations

*2000: Black Reel Award, Best Supporting Actor (Film) ("The Best Man")
*2005: Black Movie Award, Best Supporting Actor ("Crash")
*2005: Critic's Choice Awards, Best Actor ("Hustle & Flow")
*2005: Critic's Choice Awards, Best Ensemble ("Crash")
*2005: Golden Globe Award, Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama ("Hustle & Flow")
*2006: NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture ("Hustle & Flow")
*2006: Academy Award, Best Actor ("Hustle & Flow")

*2008: NAACP Image Award, Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture ("Pride")

References

External links

*imdb name|0005024
* [http://www.terrencehowardmusic.co.uk Terrence Howard UK music website]
* [http://www.bullz-eye.com/mguide/interviews/2005/terrence_howard.htm Howard interview, August 2005, Bullz-Eye.com]
* [http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/urban/seasons/summer/11940/ Howard interview, July 2005, New York Metro]
* [http://movies.about.com/od/crash/a/crashth050105.htm Howard interview, May 2005, About.com]
* [http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200507/20050719.html Terrence Howard interview] on the Tavis Smiley show
* [http://www.craveonline.com/filmtv/articles/04648325/terrence_howard_is_bad_now.html Terrence Howard is Bad Now!]
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10320391 2007 NPR interview] , "Terrence Howard: 'I Would Be a Witness'"
* [http://www.cat2008onbroadway.com All African-American production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof website]
* [http://film.guardian.co.uk/interview/interviewpages/0,,2280108,00.html, Stuart Husband, "Damn right I'm difficult (Interview)," The Observer, 18 May 2008]