Table of Contents
Lil Rel Howery Actor
Milton Howery Jr., known professionally as Lil Rel Howery, is a multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry, excelling as a stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. His breakout role as TSA agent Rod Williams in Jordan Peele’s acclaimed film “Get Out” catapulted him to stardom, earning him accolades such as the MTV Movie & Television Award for Best Comedic Performance. Lil Rel Howery ability to blend humor with depth resonated deeply with audiences, solidifying his status as a cultural icon.
From his early days in Chicago’s comedy scene to national recognition, Lil Rel Howery journey has been marked by determination and talent. Inspired by comedic legends like Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, he honed his craft while drawing from his experiences growing up on the West Side of Chicago. His dedication to comedy led him to perform at renowned venues like The Lion’s Den, where his natural charisma and comedic timing captivated audiences.
With appearances on popular shows like BET’s Comic View and NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Lil Rel Howery star continued to rise. He expanded his repertoire to include acting, starring in NBC’s “The Carmichael Show” and creating his own sketch comedy show, “Friends of the People.” His stand-up special, “RELevent,” executive produced by Kevin Hart, further showcased his storytelling prowess and comedic versatility. As Lil Rel Howery’s career continues to flourish, he remains a dynamic force in entertainment, captivating audiences with his unique blend of humor and authenticity.
Early and Personal Life
Milton Howery Jr. spent his formative years on the West Side of Chicago, raised by his parents Nancy and Milton. He initially attended Providence St. Mel School from fifth to ninth grade before transferring to Crane High School. It was at Crane where Lil Rel Howery comedic talents began to shine. Inspired by a senior talent show where he wrote jokes and crafted a script, he decided to pursue comedy professionally, setting the stage for his future endeavors. Despite his comedic aspirations, he also made a mark on the basketball court, earning the nickname Lil Rel Howery due to his resemblance to his older cousin Darrel.
In 2008, Lil Rel Howery tied the knot with Verina Robinson, and together they welcomed two children. However, their marital journey took a turn, and they eventually divorced in 2017. Beyond his personal life, Lil Rel Howery encountered legal troubles in June 2016 when he was involved in a car accident in University Village, Chicago. Following the incident, allegations arose that Howery had engaged in a physical altercation, leading to his arrest on a charge of misdemeanor battery. Despite the legal entanglements, Lil Rel Howery was eventually found not guilty. Nonetheless, the aftermath included a lawsuit filed against him by the other driver involved in the altercation, adding a layer of complexity to his personal and professional life.
Career
Lil Rel Howery kickstarted his comedy career in Chicago, making waves with his sharp wit and comedic talent. His television debut came in January 2007 on the reality competition Last Comic Standing, marking the beginning of his journey to fame. Shortly after, he showcased his humor on P. Diddy Presents: The Bad Boys of Comedy on HBO in the same year. Not confining himself to the stage, in 2009, he participated in America’s National Night Out Against Crime in Chicago, using his humor for a good cause.
The pinnacle of Lil Rel Howery career arrived in 2017 when he clinched the “Best Comedic Performance” MTV Movie & TV Award for his role in Jordan Peele’s acclaimed satire, Get Out. His talent further shone in the comedy film Free Guy, where he starred alongside Ryan Reynolds as Buddy, a witty security guard. Continuing to leave audiences in stitches, HBO released his second stand-up special, Lil Rel Howery: Live in Crenshaw, in 2019. His comedic prowess reached new heights with his third special, I Said It. Y’all thinking it., filmed in his beloved hometown of Chicago and released in 2022. Moreover, Lil Rel Howery graced the silver screen with his presence in several hit movies from 2022 to 2023, including I Love My Dad, Deep Water, and Vacation Friends 2.
Mini Bio
| Name | Info |
|---|---|
| Name | Milton Howery Jr. |
| Birth of Date | December 17, 1979 |
| Birth Place | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Citizenship | U.S |
| Nationality | U.S |
| University | |
| Profession | Actor , Stand-up |
| Career | 2001–present |
| Award Wins | N/A |
| Award Nominations | N/A |
| Spouse | Verina Robinson |
| Reltionship | (m. 2008; div. 2017) |
| Parents | N/A |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Children | 3 (Judah Howery) |
Flims / Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Get Out | Rod Williams | |
| 2018 | Tag | Reggie | |
| Uncle Drew | Dax Winslow | ||
| Bird Box | Charlie | ||
| 2019 | Brittany Runs a Marathon | Demetrius | |
| Good Boys | Lucas’s Dad | ||
| The Angry Birds Movie 2 | Alex (voice) | ||
| 2020 | The Photograph | Kyle | |
| Clouds | Milton Weaver | ||
| Home | Jayden | ||
| 2021 | Judas and the Black Messiah | Wayne | |
| Tom & Jerry | Tom’s shoulder devil and angel (voice) | ||
| Bad Trip | Bud Malone | ||
| Fatherhood | Jordan | ||
| Space Jam: A New Legacy | Himself (Game Announcer) | ||
| Free Guy | Buddy | ||
| Vacation Friends | Marcus Parker | ||
| National Champions | Coach Ronnie Dunn | ||
| 2022 | I Love My Dad | Jimmy | |
| Spin Me Round | Paul | ||
| Deep Water | Grant | ||
| Luck | Marv (voice) | ||
| Bromates | Jonesie | ||
| 2023 | The Out-Laws | Tyree | |
| Vacation Friends 2 | Marcus Parker | ||
| We Grown Now | Jason | ||
| PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie | Sam Stringer | ||
| The Mill | Joe | ||
| Dashing Through the Snow | Nick | ||
| Good Burger 2 | Cecil McNevin | ||
| 2024 | Harold and the Purple Crayon | TBA | |
| TBA | Reunion | Ray | |
| Code 3 | Mike |
Television / Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Friends of the People | Various | |
| 2015 | Kevin Hart Presents: Lil Rel: RELevent | Himself | |
| 2015–17 | The Carmichael Show | Bobby Carmichael | |
| 2017 | Insecure | Quentin | |
| Drop the Mic | Himself | ||
| 2018 | Lip Sync Battle | ||
| 2018–19 | Rel | Rel | |
| 2018 | The Comedy Central Roast | Himself | |
| The Bobby Brown Story | Brian Irvine | ||
| 2019 | Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure | Virtuous St. Goodberry (voice) | |
| The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle | Chuckles (voice) | ||
| South Side | Bishop | ||
| Sherman’s Showcase | Himself | ||
| A Black Lady Sketch Show | Fake Manager | ||
| Lil Rel Howery: Live in Crenshaw | Himself | ||
| 2019–present | Craig of the Creek | Darnell (voice) | |
| 2020 | The Chi | Zeke Remnick | |
| 2021 | Nailed It! | Himself | |
| Small Fortune | Host | ||
| 2022 | Eureka! | Rollo (voice) | |
| I said it. Y’all thinking it. | Himself | ||
| 2023 | Poker Face | Taffy Boyle | |
| Harlem | Freddie Wilson |
Reference
- Lil Rel Howery Actor - Biography Points