Leonard Earl Howze (1995, CA)

Leonard Earl Howze is a 1995 Presidential Scholar in the Arts. He's an alumnus of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and received his BFA in acting/theater arts from the State University of New York, Theater/Acting Conservatory at Purchase College. 

In April 2018, he graced the stage in the Lone Tree Arts Center's stunning production of August Wilson's award-winning play, Fences. Although theater is Leonard's foundation, upon graduating, his commercial, film, and television career took off. He has appeared in numerous national commercials, and he made his feature film debut in the box office hit Barbershop. He later reprised his role in the film's sequel, Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Last year he starred on the CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait opposite Kevin James and Leah Remini. You can watch him starring in the Netflix action/comedy The True Memoirs of an International Assassin. Mr. Howze also starred in the gripping Indie drama Live Cargo, which was well received at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. He appeared in the independent film Brave New Jersey (also available on Netflix), which premiered at the 2016 Austin Film Festival. Other notable film credits include Antwone Fisher, The Lone Ranger, The Ringer, and Faults. Television credits include a series regular role on TNT's Memphis Beat and guest starring roles in Masters of Sex, Shameless, NCIS, My Name Is Earl, and many others. 

He credits his success to his mother's work ethic and support of his dreams.