Terrence Howard is a Hollywood actor who is famously known for his role in “Hustle & Flow.” The movie, which undoubtedly brought him into the limelight, saw him play the role of a Memphis, TN, street hustler called Dejay, who was hoping to change his life through rap.
He starred in the movie alongside Taraji P. Henson, Ludacris, and Anthony Anderson, among others. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie was an instant hit. The movie reportedly earned more than $75 million in gross receipts.
Despite the success of the movie, Howard went home with a paltry sum. Speaking on Memphis’ WREG News 3, he revealed he was paid only $12,000, adding that he is yet to receive royalties from the songs he performed.
Also, he said he was exploring the possibility of suing Paramount to retrieve the two decades’ worth of checks he’s owned.
“I made $12,000 for doing ‘Hustle & Flow.’ And then on top of it, what Paramount did, instead of putting my name as ‘Terrence Howard’ performing the songs. They put ‘performed by Dejay,’” Howard explained to WREG’s Alex Coleman. “Well they owned Dejay. So guess what? The performance royalties went to Paramount.”
“Terrance Howard made $12,000. That’s all I ever made from Hustle and Flow,” he further stated. “Everything else went right back into Paramount. So now I gotta sue Paramount or send them a letter. I gotta send them a letter to say, ‘Hey, you guys owe me about 20 years worth of residuals and performance royalties.’ But I didn’t know. I was just trying to pay my rent then.”
Meanwhile, Hustle & Flow earned Howard an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2006. Also, costars Three 6 Mafia won Best Original Song for their Taraji P. Henson-assisted film and soundtrack contribution “Hard Out Here for a Pimp,” according to Complex.
He also touched on his desire to do away with middlemen, such as agents, managers, and unions, who he believes have not adequately supported actors. He slammed the unions, particularly the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), saying they have done very little to help actors, despite claiming to be advocates for their rights.
