Ken Howard
Ken Howard has just completed filming “2:13” with Mark Thompson of the popular morning radio show Mark and Brian. He recently returned from Thailand filming with Sylvester Stallone in “Rambo IV”. He will also be appearing in the soon to be released film “Michael Clayton” with George Clooney and “Smother” opposite Diane Keaton. He starred earlier this year in “Sacrifices of the Heart for the Hallmark Channel.
He will star this fall opposite Jimmy Smits in the new CBS drama “Cane.” He has guest starred on “Law and Order SVU,” “Conviction,” “The Ghost Whisperer,” “The George Lopez Show,” and Showtime’s “Huff” opposite his dear friend, Blythe Danner. He starred as world-wise retired Detective Lieutenant 'Max Cavanaugh' on NBC's “Crossing Jordan,” and is perhaps best known for his performance as a street-savvy teacher in the classic drama “The White Shadow” a role he “re-created” in real life as a master class teacher at the American Repertory Theatre Institute and as an instructor at Harvard University and Harvard Law School. His teaching experience helped form the basis of his book, ACT NATURAL How to Speak to Any Audience, published by Random House in 2003. “White Shadow” fans can revisit the critically acclaimed series with the recent release of seasons 1 and 2 on DVD.
In 1968, two years into the three-year program at the Yale School of Drama, he accepted a small role on Broadway in Neil Simon’s “Promises, Promises.” He then originated the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Tony-winning musical “1776,” directed by Peter Hunt, receiving a Theatre World award. Howard later earned a Tony for his work as a young gym coach at a Catholic boys school in “Child’s Play,” and has starred on Broadway in “Seesaw,” “The Norman Conquests,” “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue” and the national tour of “Equus.
” His feature-film debut was in “Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon” opposite Liza Minnelli. Film credits include “1776,” “Such Good Friends,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “The Net” and “At First Sight.”. He delighted movie audiences in 2005 with his work in FOX 2000's “In Her Shoes,” written by Susannah Grant and directed by Curtis Hanson with Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette and Shirley MacLaine, and “Dreamer,” for Dreamworks, co-starring Kurt Russell and Dakota Fanning.
Starring roles in the TV series “Adam’s Rib” and “The Manhunter” followed. He became firmly established in the public's mind as 'Coach Reeves' on MTM's prestigious “The White Shadow,” a series which he co-created, based on his own experiences as the only white player on his high school basketball team. In the following years, he co-starred on the series “It's Not Easy,” “The Colbys” and “Dynasty.” Among Howard's other series, mini-series and TV movie credits are “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (recurring), and “The Practice,” (recurring), “Arli$$” “The West Wing.” Miniseries: “Perfect Murder, Perfect Town,” “The Thorn Birds,” “Rage of Angels,” “Op Center,” “Mastergate,” “He’s Not Your Son”, “The Country Girls” “Murder in New Hampshire” and “Memories of Midnight.”
Howard won an Emmy for the on-camera narration of “Facts for Boys: The Body Human.” His voice can be heard on more than 30 best-selling books on tape. A kidney transplant success (the gift of longtime friend and stuntwoman Jeannie Epper), Howard was appointed Chancellor of the National Kidney Foundation, and works with their efforts to encourage people to donate their organs. Howard resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, retired stuntwoman Linda Howard, and their dog, Shadow.
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