Is Terrence Howard A-List?
No — Terrence Howard is currently ranked C tier — recognizable within their niche but with limited mainstream visibility.
Reached A-list in 2005
*Hustle & Flow* breakthrough
Lost A-list status in 2008
Dropped to C tier — Music album release
Ranking Timeline
*Mr. Holland's Opus* role
Appears in *Mr. Holland's Opus*. Gains early recognition.
*Crash* ensemble cast
Stars in the ensemble cast of *Crash*. This boosts his profile.
*Hustle & Flow* breakthrough
Stars in *Hustle & Flow*. He becomes a recognized face in Hollywood.
Oscar Nomination
Receives an Academy Award nomination for *Hustle & Flow*. Peaks his career.
Music album release
Releases his debut music album. This sees little success.
*Empire* television success
Stars in the television series *Empire*. His career is partially revived.
*Empire* ends
*Empire* concludes, leading to less attention on Howard's film career. Several controversies hamper his career.
Sporadic acting roles
Continues to take on sporadic roles in film and TV. Overall, he continues to fade from the spotlight.
Last updated: February 21, 2026