SUSAN KING: CONTENDER Q&A

Talking with: Terrence Howard

The hardest-working man in Hollywood on ‘Hustle,’ ‘Crash’ and assassinating stereotypes.

Susan King

Contender Q&A

February 23, 2006

Terrence Howard has been kicking around Hollywood since 1987, appearing in everything from "The Cosby Show" to "Big Momma's House" and "Ray." But nothing could have prepared him for the kind of year he'd experience in 2005.

The 36-year-old Chicago native is nominated for an Academy Award for best actor for his searing performance as DJay, a Memphis pimp who finds redemption through music in "Hustle & Flow." Howard also received nominations for the role from the Golden Globes and Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ensemble, and he's in contention for an Independent Spirit Award.

In addition, Howard won a SAG Award as part of the ensemble of the Oscar-nominated racial drama, "Crash." Also in 2005, he starred in the features "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," and "Four Brothers" and the TV films, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" and "Lackawanna Blues."

That's quite a year for somebody who didn't even come to Hollywood to be an actor. "I came out to L.A. as a singer-songwriter and tried to make my way as a musician," Howard reflects. "But I couldn't play any instruments. By the time I learned to play instruments, I was already in the acting game. That has become my life."

Q: The stars aligned for you in 2005.
A: It was a huge year, but that's what happens to you when you align yourself to the creative forces of the universe, all of these creative giants that put forth all of their love and bled onto these pages their hearts and their hearts' desires and now look at what we have, something that's feeding the world. Look what happened with George Clooney with "Good Night, and Good Luck." It is just amazing what Phillip Seymour Hoffman did, expanding the range of what we can achieve as actors.

Q: Your grandmother was an actress.
A: My great grandmother and great grandfather, my grandmother and grandfather and mom.

Q: Did they work on the stage?
A: All of them did stage. That's all there was [for African Americans] in the 1920s, '30s and '40s.

Q: Then acting is in your blood.
A: Yeah. It's interesting. [All the nominees] are representing those members of our family that stood underwater so we could stand on their shoulders.

Q: You are still one of a handful of African Americans who have been nominated for an Academy Award in the best actor or actress category.
A: I think we have stepped aside from the films that lend themselves from propagating stereotypes and really are starting to represent American society as a whole, because there is not one pure individual on this planet that is of one race. We are all one race: we are the human race. And in a minute no one will be mentioning you are an African American who is nominated, they will say you are an American. I think will happen within this next generation.

Q: Is it true that when you were originally approached to do "Hustle & Flow" you turned it down because you didn't want to play a pimp?
A: Yes. It took me eight months to read that script because I didn't want to propagate a stereotype. The director, Craig Brewer, told me, "Just read one page and if there is any falsehood in it then you'll never have to talk to me again." I was looking for the falsehood, and next thing you know I was sucked into his vision.

Q: You clearly don't play DJay as a stereotype.
A: Craig Brewer said to me, "I am hiring you as a hired gun. You are here for one reason — to assassinate this stereotype." I did the very best I could.

Q: Have you turned down a lot of roles you felt were too stereotypical?
A: I have done that for 20 years and that's why I turned down "Hustle & Flow" for so long.

Q: Since the nominations for "Hustle & Flow," are you being offered are more diverse roles?
A: Yes, the opportunities have really shown themselves to be a lot more expansive than they used to be.

Q: Will you describe what the awards season has been like for you?
A: It's beautiful to be literally able to speak your mind and contribute for what they have contributed to you. I have been able to spread a little of that joy. Right now I represent Craig Brewer and [costar] Anthony Anderson and all of the people who participated in "Hustle & Flow," so whatever comes to me, comes to all of us. I am just a figurehead.

Q: Have you started writing an acceptance speech?
A: I think I would be so surprised to actually win it that day it has to come from the heart. I don't believe in thanking a million people, spending the last few moments of a great opportunity to glorify somebody. I think to say something from the heart is special.