Some people could never turn heads no matter how hard they tried but some, like Terrence Howard, have the ” It” factor. The man commands a presence, and his charming looks are just what every woman wishes for in a man. It is, therefore, no surprise that when Ashanti made her debut single with “Foolish,” she had to use Terrence in her music video. Mary J. Blige also used Terrence in her song “Be Without You,” and both songs were successful. RIAA certified Mary’s single as double platinum while Ashanti’s scooped the award for Best R & B/Soul Single in the female category. Therefore, when Terrence announced that we would have to continue our lives without him in any more shows or videos, it was unexpected news. As he says goodbye to his acting career, let’s delve deeper into his journey as an actor and what could have necessitated the decision to quit.
Getting into showbiz
Terrence is not among the actors who had a happy childhood. He had to be raised by his great grandmother after his parents divorced. Before then, he had to endure severe beatings from Tyrone, Howard, his father. Moreover, at two years old, Terrence suffered the trauma of seeing his father stab another man to death with a nail file. The victim had accused Tyrone of cutting him in line. As if that was not enough, Terrence was bullied. These events have affected him, not just as a husband but as an actor. The good thing about life is that no one stays down forever. Therefore in 1992, Terence made his television debut through a miniseries “The Jacksons: The American Dream” in which he played Jackie Jackson. Terrence claims that he chooses characters that have lessons concerning him. From the statement, it seems like he has always wanted to be an artist given his role in “Empire” and “Hustle & Flow.”
Making millions as an actor
Terrence rose from being termed as a difficult actor after refusing to say a joke as the directors wanted in “The Best Man” to being the highest-paid actor in “Iron Man.” According to Howard, he was supposed to get $4.5 million but chose to get a million dollars less so that Robert Downey Jr. would be cast. Unfortunately, Robert did not return the favor because, in the sequels, Terrence was replaced by Don Cheadle. Allegedly, he was offered a pay cut amounting to 50%-80% less but maybe having already given up $1 million in the first film, Terence was not ready for more reductions. Fortunately, the silver lining in his cloud came seven years later when he got to star as the lead in “Empire.” Back then in 2015, he was making $120,000 per episode, and in the next year, the amount doubled. According to The Blast, Terrence has made nearly $10 million in his role as Lucious Lyon. So why would a man with such a high income want to quit?
Terrence announces his plans to quit acting
A few days ago, Terrence made it clear that he is ready to give up his acting career. To him, acting is pretending, and he is done with that. All he is waiting for is for the final season of “Empire,” and we will never see him again in films and television shows. While Cheslie Kryst thought that Terence is giving it up to pursue philanthropy, Terrence revealed that he aims to bring the truth to the world. However, according to The Wrap, even after Terrence is done with “Empire,” he still has a couple of projects, namely “Cut Throat City” and “Selfie.” However, even as he exits the showbiz industry, Terrence admits that he will miss his co-actors in “Empire.”
Speaking of truth, Terrence Howard is a self-proclaimed mathematical genius. He said that we are in the last century in which our children will grow up in ignorance, thinking that 1×1=1. According to Terence, he has his language of logic called Terryology in which he claims that 1×1=2. Twenty years from now, he believes that is what our children will be taught. Terrence believes so much in this hypothesis that after attending Pratt Institute, he preferred to leave after disagreeing with a professor. Terrence wants the world to know the truth about his theory and spends 17 hours every day with his models of wire and plastics. He has faith in the logic and has even patented it.
Why quit now?
You would think that someone who has such a hefty paycheck is giving to Caesar what belongs to him, but Terrence Howard is under index investigation for tax evasion. What even gets to us is where he takes his money because according to his ex-wife now fiancé, Terrence has never bought her a gift neither does he take her out for movies or shopping. What is even worse is that back in 2014 he claimed that he could not pay his ex-wife $325,000 in spousal support. Now the judge has ruled in favor of the Michelle, and she will receive $1.3 million spousal support and an extra million dollars for her attorney fees.
Maybe Terrence is tired of sowing only for others to reap hence his decision to quit. After all, the ex-wife wanted more money because Terence is now being paid well, but that does not excuse him from not paying his taxes. The retiring actor allegedly owes tax lien from 2010 for $143, 538.61. Additionally, in 2006, he owed the federal government more than $600,000, and for 2010, the figure was $1.1 million.
His attorney can neither confirm nor deny the allegations. However, we have watched too many movies to know that statement as the defense of a guilty person. Whatever his reasons for quitting are, we can only wish him the best, especially with this quest for spreading the truth.Don Cheadle
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