‘Crescent City’ star Terrence Howard is a father to five 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren: Aubrey, Hunter, Heaven, Qirin and Hero

Terrence Howard, Mira Pak and sons Hero Howard and Quirin Howard attend Terrence Howard being honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on September 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. Photo:

David Livingston/Getty

Terrence Howard has a large family off-screen, including his five kids: Aubrey, Hunter, Heaven, Qirin and Hero.

The Oscar-nominated actor, who played Lucious Lyon in the Fox drama Empire, shares daughters Aubrey and Heaven, as well as son Hunter, with his first wife, Lori McCommas. He and his third wife, Mira Pak, welcomed their first son, Qirin, in 2015, and their second son, Hero, followed a year later.

While Terrence feels like he missed “a lot of personal time” with his older 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, he previously told PEOPLE that he’s more “present” with his younger kids.

“I was 24 when I started my first batch. I was still becoming a man,” he said. “I didn’t really put the time into my kids. I called them every day and they said they saw me more than enough, but I feel like I missed out on a lot of personal time with them.”

Terrence added, “Now I’m more conscious and present this time around.”

Here’s everything to know about Terrence Howard’s kids: Aubrey, Hunter, Heaven, Qirin and Hero.

Aubrey HowardTerrence Howard and Aubrey Howard arrive at the BET Honors 2012 on January 14, 2012 in Washington, D.C.

Walter McBride/Corbis/Getty

Terrence welcomed his first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, daughter Aubrey Howard, with his first wife, McCommas.

In the past, she’s accompanied her famous dad to events, including the premiere of Dreamgirls in 2006 and a screening of Iron Man in 2008.

Aubrey made the Crescent City star a grandfather in 2012 with the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 of her daughter, Hazel Anita Gayle. Her second 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, Adrian William Gayle, was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 in 2015. Aubrey has shared on Instagram that “being a young mother definitely has it’s fair share of challenges,” but she “wouldn’t change a thing.”

The mother of two, who is certified in yoga and specializes in breathwork, is the founder of Spirit Medicine. “I created my business Spirit Medicine, to support people in healing deep rooted trauma and creating resilience through breathwork, movement and ritual,” she penned on Instagram in 2023.

Aubrey credits her father and their ancestors for her “light.” In 2017, she celebrated her dad’s 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day with an Instagram tribute, calling him the “man I love more than anything.”

“You have always been my best friend that has been there for me in more ways than I could name,” Aubrey continued. “I’m so proud of all you have achieved and the amazing person and father you have become along the way. I hope you have a wonderful day and celebrate all that you are .”

In August 2024, Aubrey, her sister Heaven and their dad took a visit to an animal sanctuary, and she shared about the day on Instagram.

“It was truly special to share this experience with my father, as my love for animals and nature comes from him,” she wrote alongside a video of Terrence and her posing with a small pig.

Hunter HowardTerrence Howard and son Hunter Howard attend a screening of ‘Harry: A Communication Breakdown’ on November 26, 2008 in Paramus, New Jersey.

Michael N. Todaro/FilmMagic

Terrence welcomed his second 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, son Hunter Howard, with his first wife, McCommas.

The father-son duo have collaborated in a creative way — Hunter sang backup vocals on Terrence’s 2008 album Shine Through It.

Speaking to NPR that year, Terrence revealed he was also teaching Hunter carpentry and home renovation. The Best Man actor said, “I’m raising a really beautiful young man that will probably become the scientist I always wanted to be.”

Hunter was with his sisters, Aubrey and Heaven, at a screening of Iron Man in 2008. He was also by his dad’s side at the 2006 Academy Awards, where Terrence was nominated for his role in Hustle & Flow. Hunter joined his father at the Governor’s Ball following the awards ceremony.

Heaven HowardHeaven Howard and Terrence Howard attends Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” New York premiere on August 5, 2013 in New York City.

Ben Gabbe/Getty

Terrence welcomed his third 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, daughter Heaven Howard, with his first wife, McCommas.

She’s made red carpet appearances with her dad over the years. In 2006, Heaven joined Terrence at The Pursuit of Happyness premiere and the New York premiere of The Butler in 2013.

The actor and his younger daughter have also worked together: Terrence and Heaven were both in the 2008 Broadway revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. According to New York Magazine, Heaven played one of the “no-necked monsters.”

Heaven marked Father’s Day in 2020 with a photo of the two of them from the Broadway premiere in 2008. “When we 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed it on broadway #inthegenes𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦,” she wrote alongside the image. Heaven also included a picture from a screening of Iron Man, noting that she was “carrying a portable computer game” to keep her occupied while her father worked.

In 2015, big sister Aubrey celebrated Heaven’s graduation. “Congrats to my little sister for graduating yesterday,” Aubrey captioned a photo of Heaven holding flowers and her diploma. “Can’t wait to see what will become of the rest of your life.”

Heaven has publicly thanked her father on Instagram for paving the way for her to “walk a path that is both old and new.”

She wrote in 2019, “The complexities of life are made easier by the poetry of your words. I share the insights of your brain and hear the same voices. We are separate but exist together. I will meet you in every life to learn from one another. Thank you for all of the lessons learned and love shared.”

Qirin Love HowardTerrence Howard and his son Qirin Love Howard.

Terrence Howard/Instagram

Terrence and his third wife, Pak, welcomed their first 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 together, Qirin Love, on May 7, 2015.

The proud dad introduced Qirin on X (formerly Twitter) with a photo of the two of them resting. “A mythical 1/2 dragon 1/2 lion who glides above the land so as not to harm even a blade of grass… meet Qirin Love!” he captioned it.

Terrence told Access Hollywood (via Los Angeles Times) that his son’s name was derived from the word “qilin,” a mythical Chinese creature that was said to mark the beginning of a peaceful era.

The Crash actor described his son as fearless in an Instagram tribute to commemorate Qirin’s third 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day in 2018.

“3 years ago on this very day you forever changed our lives… you are so fearless and beautiful Qirin Love,” Terrence captioned a black-and-white photo of his son. “May the blessings of your God Like Nature beautify this Universe 4 EVER! Daddy and Mommy Happy Birthday .”

Hero Valentino HowardTerrence Howard and his son Hero Valentino Howard.

Terrence Howard/Instagram

Terrence and Pak’s second 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, Hero Valentino Howard, was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 on July 15, 2016.

The Wayward Pines star announced his son’s arrival that August with a picture of Qirin holding his 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 brother. “Hero being held by Qirin,” Terrence wrote alongside the picture on X.

On Hero’s first 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡day in 2017, the dad of five revealed on Instagram that his youngest 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 “6 weeks early” but was “the biggest 𝑏𝑎𝑏𝑦 in the NICU.”

During an appearance on Live with Kelly, Terrence shared that Hero “changed” his life. “He’s my everything. He’s my new favorite,” Terrence said of Hero. He clarified, “You know, we do have favorites as parents! The one that needs us the most becomes our favorite.”

Both Hero and his older brother, Qirin, were present when their dad received his star on the  Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.