Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1979-12-17
- Born Place: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Lil Rel Howery
Milton “Lil Rel” Howery Jr. (born December 17, 1979, in Chicago) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer known for his sharp wit and relatable charm. After starting comedy in Chicago clubs like The Lion’s Den in the early 2000s, he rose to national attention on Last Comic Standing (2007) and through appearances on Comedy Central and HBO sketch and stand-up shows. In 2015–2017, he gained widespread acclaim as Robert “Bobby” Carmichael on NBC’s The Carmichael Show, and in 2017 he stole scenes as Rod Williams in Jordan Peele’s hit film Get Out, earning the MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Comedic Performance. Howery went on to create and star in the semi-autobiographical sitcom Rel (2018–2019), and has appeared in films like Free Guy and Judas and the Black Messiah, as well as voice roles in several animated projects. He also released a Netflix special, Kevin Hart Presents: Lil Rel: RELevent, showcasing his stand-up talents. Off screen, Howery is a proud father of three and is engaged to Dannella Lane, blending families with her four daughters—a family dynamic he describes as "the most fascinating part of my life ever". His early life on Chicago’s West Side, performing in school talent shows and earning the nickname “Lil Rel,” laid the foundation for his grounded yet observational comedy style.
