After announcing his retirement in 2019, actor Terrence Howard went back into acting in 2021 to star in the film Beneath. Now, after reprising his role as Quentin Spivey in The Best Man: The Final Chapters, he will once again retire. Although he's confirmed this to several news outlets, Howard still has three films in post-production. As of this publication, there have been no release dates given for any film.
If his retirement sticks, Howard's performance in The Best Man: The Final Chapters will be his final performance in television/miniseries format. However, the star didn't need the miniseries to prove he was a good television actor, as he did just that while playing Lucious Lyon on Empire. Over the last 20 years, Howard has given several performances that both received critical acclaim from fans and critics, and has been in roles that were meant for no one else but him. With that being said, he is the actor's best performance's outside The Best Man franchise.
8 Terrence Howard In Ray (2004)
Playing a small but pivotal role in critically acclaimed film, Ray, Terrence Howard found his way to be in a music film as a supportive antagonist without playing music whatsoever. His screen time was unfortunately limited due to this movie being focused on the one and only Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx). However, he made his time count as best he could. It is because of this that people remember him being featured in this film.
7 Terrence Howard In Iron Man (2008)
It truly is unfortunate that Terrence Howard was only in the first Iron Man film. Portraying the character of James "Rhodey" Rhodes, the actor prepared for the role by visiting an air force base and observing raptors and rescue helicopters. His performance in the film proved he would be an asset to future films, and was indeed chosen due to what he could do for the sequel.
It was ultimately a contract dispute between Howard and Marvel Studios that led to him choosing not to return for future films, leading to Don Cheadle being cast as his replacement. While Cheadle also did a fantastic job at portraying Rhodes, he had big shoes to fill because of Howard's portrayal, and in a way, the second and third films were not the same without him.
6 Terrence Howard In The Butler (2004)
In another movie with very little screen time, Terrence Howard originally tried out for the lead character. Although he was fantastic and showed great chemistry, his age ultimately stopped him from being offered the role. Director Lee Daniels insisted that Howard be a part of The Butler, and offered him the role of Howard.
The actor told Paste magazine that Lee admitted that he was 'too pretty for it' and that they needed to 'ugly' him up. He also confirmed that Lee told him, 'If you do it, I will do for you what I did for Mo’Nique in Precious. She only had two scenes. And if you give me all you got, I’ll give you all I got.’ From there, Howard gave every suggestion he had on how to "ugly" himself up, and put on a fantastic performance for a character with two scenes.
5 Terrence Howard In Four Brothers (2005)
Terrence Howard received the opposite of little screen time in this film. The star portrayed a Lieutenant who, although seemed to be a character set out to worsen an investigation, ended up attempting to de-escalate and help the main characters in getting justice.
Even though his character in Four Brothers met a terrible fate, Howard still did incredible in playing the role of a man who while aggressive at times, only wanted to bring justice, which is something a true police officer would do. His chemistry with the "four brothers" (Mark Wahlberg, Tyrese Gibson, Andre Benjamin, Garrett Hedlund) was also great, and worked out in proving that he was the right choice for the role.
4 Terrence Howard In Mr. Holland's Opus (1995)
In one of his first films, Terrence Howard played a small role in a movie that makes music a powerful and meaningful thing. Howard showed moviegoers an introduction to his musical abilities. While in Mr. Holland's Opus, he only shows himself as a drum player, he also shows that jocks can be musical, during a time when people never pictured athletes being musical. It was also a perfect way to show professionals that he can do more than just act, which would come in handy in his later acting years.
3 Terrence Howard In Empire (2015-2020)
When an actor fades in the film scene, sometimes staring in a television show will bring them back into the spotlight for good reason. That is exactly what happened when Terrence Howard portrayed the role of Lucious Lyon in Empire. The actor who already had years of musical experience put that into excellent use while portraying the founder and CEO of Empire Entertainment.
He acted alongside friend and past film co-star Taraji P. Henson to create one of Fox's most popular shows, and if he chose to retire following the end of the show, he would've ended his career on a high note. There are talks about a show spin-off, but as of this publication, no such spin-off has been formally announced.
2 Terrence Howard In Crash (2004)
One of the most talked about movies of 2004, Terrence Howard put on a stellar performance regarding a character who witnesses a loved one be traumatized. He was even better at portraying a man who was put in a sudden life-or-death situation.
Because of the controversial Academy Award wins, Howard's performance in Crash was slightly outshone. However, after almost 20 years, the actor's performance has since become more known to movie fans, and has been known as one of his best performances of all time.
1 Terrence Howard In Hustle & Flow (2005)
Not only is it one of MTV Films' most popular pictures, but it is also a film that brought Howard the criminal acclaim he deserved. Playing the role of aspiring rapper DJay, Terrence Howard brought his personality to a role that was meant for him and only him. Being that his Hustle & Flow character was from Memphis, it came as no surprise that rap group Three 6 Mafia became involved in the film, and together, the men and Taraji P. Henson created "It's Hard out Here for a Pimp."
Because of its success, Howard received an Academy Award nomination for "Best Actor," and the hit song won the Academy Award for "Best Original Song." MTV Films' Hustle & Flow continues to be a classic, and one of Howard's (if not) most memorable movies.
