Terrence Howard: The Talented Actor's Journey Through Fame And Challenges

Terrence Howard's Financial Status and Career Overview

Terrence Howard, the celebrated American actor and musician, has carved out a remarkable niche in Hollywood with his versatile performances. Today, his net worth stands at $4 million, though his journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Along the way, Terrence has faced several financial and personal hurdles, which we’ll delve into later in this article. Despite these obstacles, his contributions to the entertainment industry remain undeniable.

Terrence Howard first made waves in the acting world in the 1980s, but it wasn't until the mid-1990s that he landed his first major role in films like “Dead Presidents” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” Since then, his star has only continued to rise, with standout performances in “Ray,” “Crash,” “Hustle and Flow,” and “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.” Beyond the silver screen, Howard has also ventured into music, releasing the album “Shine Through It” in 2008. That same year, he made his Broadway debut in an all-black production of Tennessee Williams’ “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

Empire Salary and the CAA Lawsuit

From 2015 to 2020, Terrence Howard dazzled audiences as Lucious Lyon on the hit Fox drama “Empire,” a role that earned him both critical acclaim and substantial paychecks. In a lawsuit filed against his talent agency, CAA, in late 2023, Howard revealed that his initial salary per episode was $125,000. By the final season, his paycheck soared to $325,000 per episode, with the season comprising 18 episodes. This translated to a staggering $5.85 million in gross earnings for that season alone.

Read also:

Celebrity Faces Without Makeup A Candid Look

In December 2023, Terrence took legal action against CAA, accusing the agency of breach of fiduciary duty. According to his lawsuit, CAA had a conflict of interest when negotiating his salary because it also represented the show’s producers. Howard alleged that the agency encouraged him to accept a lower-than-standard salary to maximize the show’s profits. This practice of agencies packaging shows was effectively banned in 2020. In his lawsuit, Terrence pointed out that he was being paid less than Jon Hamm and Kevin Spacey, whose respective shows, “Mad Men” and “House of Cards,” were less popular than “Empire.” He further emphasized that at the height of “Empire’s” popularity, it outperformed even “Big Bang Theory,” yet he earned less than its star, Jim Parsons.

IRS Challenges and Financial Woes

Terrence Howard's financial struggles have not been confined to disputes with talent agencies. Over the years, he has faced numerous issues with the IRS. In 2016, he was reportedly hit with a $600,000 IRS lien, adding to an already daunting $1.1 million overdue tax bill he received in 2010. In June 2019, Terrence and his on-again/off-again wife, Mira, were under investigation for alleged tax evasion. That same year, he faced additional liens totaling $143,000. By March 2024, the IRS once again came knocking, ordering him to pay $900,000 as part of a tax evasion case related to $578,000 in unpaid taxes across five tax returns filed between 2010 and 2019. Unfortunately, Terrence did not appear in court or attempt to defend himself in this case.

Iron Man Salary Controversy and Contract Issues

In the 2008 blockbuster “Iron Man,” Terrence Howard commanded a hefty salary of $3.5 million, making him the highest-paid actor in the movie and the first lead actor hired for the project. Robert Downey Jr., on the other hand, earned a modest $500,000. Terrence has claimed in multiple interviews that Robert never would have landed the role if it weren’t for him.

Terrence has recounted that he was initially set to earn $4.5 million for “Iron Man” but opted to take a $1 million pay cut to secure the role for Downey. He explained that the producers originally wanted Clive Owen for the part of Iron Man and were hesitant to cast Downey due to his controversial past, which made his insurance costs prohibitively high. To resolve this, Terrence allegedly gave up $1 million, allowing $500,000 to go to Downey and the remaining $500,000 to cover Downey’s insurance costs. Despite this gesture, Terrence did not return for the second installment of “Iron Man.”

Terrence has also claimed that he had a three-picture deal with Marvel, which was supposed to pay him $4.5 million for the first movie, $8 million for the second, and $12 million for the third, totaling $24.5 million. However, ahead of the second “Iron Man,” Marvel allegedly called his agent and demanded that Terrence accept $1 million instead of the agreed-upon $8 million. According to Terrence, his agent responded with a resounding “F*!@& You” and hung up. Marvel subsequently hired Don Cheadle for the sequel. Terrence claimed that rumors spread that he was fired due to being difficult to work with, which he disputes. He attempted to reach out to Downey numerous times, hoping for support, but Downey never returned his calls. Their estrangement continued until they reunited at Brian Grazer’s wedding in 2016, where Downey reportedly apologized but suggested that everything worked out in the end.

Early Life and Background

Terrence Howard was born Terrence Dashon Howard on March 11, 1969, in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Anita, was just 15 when he was born, and his early years were marked by turbulence. At the tender age of two, Terrence witnessed his father, Tyrone, stab a man with a nail file during a visit to see Santa Claus at a Cleveland department store. The incident resulted in Tyrone's imprisonment for manslaughter, serving 11 months in jail. Following Tyrone's release, Terrence's parents divorced, and he spent his childhood alternating between Cleveland with his father and Los Angeles with his mother. Terrence has two brothers (Antonio and Tyrone Jr.), a half-brother (Darnell), and a half-sister (Ariana). His great-grandmother, actress Minnie Gentry, ignited his passion for acting. At 16, Terrence was emancipated and later pursued chemical engineering at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute but left before completing his degree. As a teenager, he was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, which he claims to have cured by shocking his face.

Read also:

Turn Your Passion Into Profit Top Hobbies That Pay Off

Professional Journey and Achievements

Audiences were introduced to Terrence Howard through the ABC miniseries “The Jacksons: An American Dream,” where he portrayed Jackie Jackson. His early career included guest appearances on popular shows like “Family Matters,” “Living Single,” “Coach,” and “Picket Fences.” His breakthrough came in 1995 with roles in “Mr. Holland’s Opus” and “Dead Presidents.” From 1996 to 1998, Howard starred in the UPN sitcom “Sparks,” and in 1999, he appeared in “The Best Man,” earning an NAACP Image Award and additional nominations. In 2004, Howard’s performance in “Crash” garnered him several supporting actor accolades, and he shared a Screen Actors Guild Award with his fellow cast members. His portrayal of aspiring rapper Djay in “Hustle & Flow” earned him a Best Actor Academy Award nomination, and the song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from the film won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

In 2008, Terrence played Colonel James Rhodes in “Iron Man,” earning the distinction of being the movie’s highest-paid actor. However, for the sequel, the producers reportedly offered him $1 million instead of the $8 million stipulated in his contract, leading to his replacement by Don Cheadle. Howard later starred in “Law & Order: LA” from 2010 to 2011 and appeared in films like “Winnie Mandela,” “The Butler,” and “The Best Man Holiday” before landing a role on “Empire” in 2015. His portrayal of the dying hip-hop mogul Lucious Lyon earned him a BET Award. Beyond films and television, Howard has also been recognized for his work in made-for-TV movies like “Boycott” and “Lackawanna Blues.” In 2019, he announced his retirement from acting.

Personal Life and Relationships

Terrence Howard’s personal life has been as colorful as his professional journey. He was married to Lori McCommas from 1989 to 2003 and again from 2005 to 2007. Together, they have three children: Aubrey, Heaven, and Hunter. In 2010, Howard married Michelle Ghent, but she filed for divorce in February 2011. The divorce was finalized in 2013, and the following year, Ghent sued him for allegedly owing $325,000 in unpaid spousal support. Howard countered that he was blackmailed into signing an unfair agreement and couldn’t pay because the majority of his income went to his first wife to support their children. At one point, Terrence was technically on his first wife’s payroll, receiving $5,800 per month after fulfilling his financial obligations. The judge overturned the original divorce agreement in 2015 but reinstated it in 2017.

Terrence married Mira Pak in 2013, and they have two sons, Qirin (born in 2015) and Hero (born in 2016). The couple divorced in 2015 but rekindled their relationship, becoming engaged again in December 2018.

Legal Battles and Setbacks

Terrence Howard's legal challenges extend beyond financial disputes. In 2000, he was arrested for assaulting a flight attendant, and in 2001, he was charged with punching, harassing, and stalking McCommas. Ghent obtained restraining orders against Howard in 2011 and 2013, alleging assault. In 2008, composer Tex Allen sued Terrence for $5 million following an alleged attack during a “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” rehearsal.

In 2012, Terrence’s former manager, Victoria Fredrick, filed a lawsuit claiming she was owed $137,500 for her services during Howard’s work on the films “Winnie” and “Fighting.” Fredrick argued that she was entitled to a stake in some of Howard’s notable films, including “Hustle and Flow,” “Iron Man,” and “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.” She even claimed a stake