Leonard Earl Howze

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Leonard Earl Howze
Born (1977-04-26) April 26, 1977 (age 46)
NationalityAmerican
EducationLos Angeles County High School for the Arts, State University of New York
OccupationActor
Years active2002–present
Known forBarbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business

Leonard Earl Howze (born April 26, 1977)[1][2] is an American actor who has been credited in over 20 movie and television roles, most notably for his role as "Dinka" in the first two films of the Barbershop trilogy, Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Howze has also made notable acting appearances in the television sitcom Kevin Can Wait, Antwone Fisher, The Lone Ranger and A Thousand Words.

Acting career[edit]

Howze was born in Los Angeles, California on April 26, 1977, where he attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and graduated in the class of 1995. Howze also attended the State University of New York at Purchase and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts to begin an acting career.[3][4] Howze made his acting debut as a supporting character in the 2002 blockbuster film Barbershop, where he portrays Dinka, an optimistic stereotypical African immigrant who attempts charm his crush and barber colleague, Terri played by Eve.[5][6]

In the 2010s, Howze continued to retain roles in the media, having roles in the films A Thousand Words starring Eddie Murphy and in the 2013 film The Lone Ranger as Homer.[7] He appeared in multiple minor television roles as well including separate episodes of NCIS, Shameless, Legit and The League. Howze has had a recent role in 48 episodes of the television sitcom Kevin Can Wait as a supporting role.[8] Howze says his faith in God and timing as a attribution to his commercial success and lengthy acting career.[9]

Personal life[edit]

Howze's hobbies when he's not acting include playing basketball, bowling and playing golf. Howze currently resides in New York during his intervals from filming.[10]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Barbershop Dinka
Antwone Fisher Pork Chop
2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business Dinka
2005 The Ringer Mark
2006 School for Scoundrels Classmate
2009 Blood River Tri-Pod
2012 A Thousand Words Orderly
2013 The Lone Ranger Homer
2014 Faults Raymond
Market Hours Randall Short
2016 Live Cargo Doughboy
Cardboard Boxer Mike
Brave New Jersey Stan Holbrook
True Memoirs of an International Assassin Michael Cleveland

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2006 My Name Is Earl George Toolhurst Episode: "Boogeyman"
Cuts Mr. Oyindeke/Jeweler Episode: "The Love Below" & "It's a Ring Thing"
2010 Tracey Ullman's State of the Union Black Cellmate Episode: "Episode #3.1"
2010–11 Memphis Beat Detective Reginald Greenback Main cast
2011 NCIS Security Guard Wilson Episode: "One Last Score"
Shameless Frank's Co-worker Episode: "Daddyz Girl"
2013 Legit Teshawn Episode: "Anger"
The League Sky Cap Episode: "The Bye Week"
2014 Masters of Sex Leonard Episode: "Story of My Life"
2016–18 Kevin Can Wait Tyrone 'Goody' Goodman Main cast
2021 The Zip Code Plays: Los Angeles William J. Seymour Episode: "90026: Echo Park - $10 and a Tambourine"
2021– The Upshaws Davis Recurring cast
TBA Florida Man Ray-Ray Recurring role

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Today in History". Chron. 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  2. ^ "Today in Entertainment History". AP NEWS. 2020-04-26. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
  3. ^ "Leonard Earl Howze (1995, CA)". Presidential Scholars Foundation. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  4. ^ "Third Annual Presidential Scholars Honors Dinner & Salute to the 2019 U.S. Presidential Scholars". hcdc.clubs.harvard.edu. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  5. ^ Sragow, Michael (6 February 2004). "A Shear Delight". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  6. ^ Scott, A. O. (2002-09-13). "FILM REVIEW; When Cutting Hair Loses Its Luster and the Barber Has Too Much Extra Time (Published 2002)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  7. ^ "Leonard Earl Howze: Movies, TV, and Bio". www.amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  8. ^ "Kevin James CBS Comedy Casts Leonard Earl Howze; Chris Williams Joins 'The Great Indoors'". Yahoo!. 20 February 2016. Retrieved 2020-12-09.
  9. ^ TheQGentleman (2016-10-27). "Leonard Earl Howze Talks Longevity in Hollywood, Kevin Can Wait and more". QG. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  10. ^ Leonard Earl Howze - Kevin Can Wait Cast Member, retrieved 2020-11-16