Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard is an actor known for his acclaimed film and television performances, including roles in Hustle & Flow, Iron Man and Empire. Howard was raised in Cleveland. His love of acting was inspired by the time he spent with his great-grandmother, stage actress Minnie Gentry. In 2012, South Carolina State University awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree.

Howard began acting professionally in the early 1990s after being discovered by a casting director on a New York City street. He made early appearances on TV shows including Living Single, NYPD Blue and Soul Food before landing film roles in Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995) and The Best Man (1999). His breakout came with his role as Djay in 2005’s Hustle & Flow, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He later played James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Iron Man (2008) and starred as Lucious Lyon on Empire, a role that earned him a BET Award for Best Actor. He remained on the show until it ended in 2020.

Throughout his career, the actor has also appeared in shows such as Law & Order: LA and Wayward Pines and in films including Winnie Mandela (2011), Red Tails (2012), Shirley (2024) and Alice in Wonderland (2026).

Howard wed Lori McCommas, his first wife, twice, ending things for good in 2007. He went on to marry Michelle Ghent in 2010. The pair divorced in 2013, and he tied the knot with model Miranda Pak later that year. The pair divorced in 2015 and became engaged again in 2018. Howard shares children Aubrey, Heaven and Hunter with McCommas, and sons Qirin and Hero with Pak.