Terrence Howard

Credit: Paul Morigi/WireImage

BIO

Actor and singer Terrence Howard was born in Chicago on March 11, 1969. Howard originally wanted to be a teacher and attended the Pratt Institute in New York. However, he left after landing a gig on The Cosby Show. Howard's first big break came in 1995 with the film Mr. Holland's Opus.

Since then, Howard has appeared on Family Matters, Sparks and Independent Lens. Howard's film projects include Ray, Crash, Hustle & Flow and Get Rich or Die Tryin.'

Howard made his Broadway debut with the highly acclaimed 2008 drama Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. He released his own album back in 2008 titled Shine It Through and performed on several tracks for Hustle & Flow.

The actor, who will play Nelson Mandela in the biopic Winnie, quietly wed Michelle Ghent, in 2010. Howard has three children from a previous marriage.