Photograph by Jennifer Cooper

Terrence Howard
DJay, Hustle & Flow
Age: 36
Birthplace: Chicago
Essential filmography: Ray (2004), Crash (2005), Hustle & Flow (2005), Four Brothers (2005), Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2005)

Terrence Howard was a troublemaker growing up—the kind of kid who would set a fire in a wastebasket just to get a reaction, or argue with a teacher over the theory of evolution. “I was suspended at least 15 times a year—for one thing,” he says, his voice as smooth as velour. “Insubordination.”

Inspired by his grandmother, the late film and stage star Minnie Gentry, Howard went on to make his acting debut in The Cosby Show and land supporting roles in films such as The Best Man and Hart’s War. But apparently his penchant for provocation followed him all the way to Hollywood. When it came time to find an actor to play DJay, the rapping pimp protagonist of Hustle & Flow, writer-director Craig Brewer got some friendly words of advice. “Everybody started talking about how Terrence Howard is perfect for the role, ‘but don’t cast him,’ ” Brewer recalls. “They said that he was . . . a little difficult.”

Fortunately, that defiant streak was just what Brewer needed. “You could see people trying to put on those attitudes like a jacket, and it wouldn’t fit them,” he says. “For Terrence, it’s just kind of his skin.”

A self-proclaimed anthropologist when it comes to acting, Howard learned a Memphis accent and spent two months shadowing a former hustler to prepare for the film (which is actually the first installment of a trilogy that Brewer has dubbed “the rap Godfather”). Still, the actor didn’t have to dig deep to discover his empathy for people in situations similar to DJay’s. “Everybody’s working for somebody, hoping they’re not being exploited,” he says. “To me, [Hustle & Flow] is a written documentary, speaking out for the people who couldn’t talk for themselves.” —Brooke Hauser