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Terrence Howard Biography

Birth Name:Terrence Dashon Howard

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Writer, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Was named the Breakthrough Actor by the National Board of Review for his performance in "Hustle & Flow․"
  • Supporter of many charities, including Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Feeding America and Stand Up To Cancer
  • Received the 2017 American Black Film Festival Excellence in the Arts Award
  • Is the grandson of stage actress Minnie Gentry
  • Made his Broadway debut with his role in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 2008
  • Quote: "I thought the best liar was the best actor․ But it's the best truth-teller․ To find the truth on those pages of black and white and to believe in it so much․ It has to be honest; it has to be truthful․"
  • Quote: "[on why he lives in Philadelphia] "It's that sense of sanity that keeps me here․ It's a neighborhood that I live in with a feeling of brotherhood about it․ Man, when I lived in Los Angeles, I didn't know who my neighbor was ․․․ Here, I know them․""
  • Released and produced an album called "Shine Through It" in 2008
  • Recorded all of his own songs for his portrayal of the character Djay in "Hustle & Flow․"
  • Wanted to be a scientist, an interest that began when he started wondering why bubbles were round as a child
  • Appeared in the music video "Foolish" by Ashanti in 1999

Awards

  • 2000Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2000CFCA Award-Most Promising Actor: nominated
  • 2000Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 2000Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2002Black Reel-Network/Cable - Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2002Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2005AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 2005Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2005Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2005Pauline Kael Breakout Award-: winner
  • 2005Golden Schmoes-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2005Golden Schmoes-Breakthrough Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2005Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2005Gotham Independent Film Award-Breakthrough Actor: nominated
  • 2005Hollywood Film Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2005New Generation Award-: winner
  • 2005NBR Award-Breakthrough Performance by an Actor: winner
  • 2005NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005NYFCO Award-Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2005OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2005OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2005PFCS Award-Breakout Performance - On Screen: winner
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2005VVFP Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2005WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005WAFCA Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: winner
  • 2005WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Breakthrough Artist Award-: winner
  • 2006BET Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2006Black Reel-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor - Television: nominated
  • 2006COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2006CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2006Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
  • 2006Critics Choice Award-Best Song: winner
  • 2006Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2006Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006DVDX Award-Best Supporting Actor (in a DVD Premiere Movie): nominated
  • 2006Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
  • 2006Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
  • 2006Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special: winner
  • 2006MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
  • 2006MTV Movie Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2006OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance: Male: winner
  • 2006OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2006OFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Prism Award-Performance in a TV Movie or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2006Teen Choice Award-Movies - Choice Actor: Drama/Action Adventure: nominated
  • 2006VFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2008BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2008Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2008Scream Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2011Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2013NBR Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2014Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2015BET Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2015Individual Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Chemistry: nominated
  • 2015Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor: Drama: nominated
  • 2015Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Villain: nominated
  • 2016Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 2016Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor: Drama: nominated
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Kiss: nominated
  • 2018Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2018Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2022Best Actor-Best Actor: winner
  • 2022Jury Prize-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2022February Award-Best Acting Duo: winner
  • 2022February Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
  • 2023Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2024Black Reel-Outstanding Lead Performance in a TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2025Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Television (Series, Special, or Movie): nominated