Lil Rel Howery

Cast · Director · Writer

Born

December 17, 1979 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Birth name

Milton Howery Jr.

Lil Rel Howery, born and raised in Chicago, began developing his craft as a teenager, writing and performing comedic scenes for school audiences before finding his first stage at The Lion’s Den, where he became a regular despite being underage. Influenced by comedians like Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence, he honed a style rooted in storytelling and character work. His early exposure on programs such as Comic View gave him national visibility, leading to steady work across television, film, and stand-up. Beyond performing, he established his own company to manage his creative output and later expanded into writing and producing.