Judge Denied Terrence Howard Empire Lawsuit Reconsideration
A judge rejected a request to revisit the dismissal of a fraud lawsuit filed by actor Terrence Howard against his former agency.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Television
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A judge has denied Terrence Howard's motion to reconsider the dismissal of his fraud lawsuit against Creative Artists Agency. The actor alleged the agency misled him into accepting lower pay for his role in the television show Empire.
Why it matters
The ruling upholds the court's previous decision that the claims, which centered on compensation issues, did not provide grounds for legal action against the agency. Howard's attempt to introduce additional exhibits was rejected as the judge determined they would not have changed the summary judgment.
The lawsuit involved claims regarding compensation for the show Empire, which reached 10 million average viewers at its debut. The 57-year-old actor previously argued his loan-out company, Universal Bridges, was affected by the pay terms.
The players
Terrence Howard
He is an American actor known for his roles in various film and television projects including Empire.
Creative Artists Agency
This is a prominent talent and sports agency based in the United States that represents numerous high-profile clients.
Cherol J. Nellon
She is a judge presiding over cases at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Universal Bridges
This is the loan-out company associated with the financial interests of actor Terrence Howard.
The details
The Los Angeles Superior Court determined that any potential increase in compensation would have benefited Universal Bridges, the actor's loan-out company, rather than Howard personally. Creative Artists Agency had previously argued in court filings that the fraud claims were barred by the statute of limitations.
Timeline
The lawsuit was initially filed in December 2023.
The plaintiff claimed exhibits were lodged with the court on July 20, 2026.
The judge issued the first dismissal ruling on July 31, 2026.
Arguments on the reconsideration motion were heard on September 14, 2026.
The final ruling denying reconsideration was issued on September 23, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This case highlights the complex intersection of personal services and corporate loan-out structures within the entertainment industry. It reinforces the legal difficulties talent face when attempting to challenge agency compensation arrangements through personal fraud lawsuits.
This legal outcome does not impact how viewers access episodes of the show Empire on streaming platforms. The resolution is strictly confined to the internal contractual disputes between the actor and his former agency.
The takeaway
This case illustrates the importance of identifying which legal entity holds the rights to compensation in talent contracts. Actors and professionals should ensure their representation agreements are clearly defined to avoid future standing issues in court.
Further reading
For more on the business side of the entertainment industry, visit the Television section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
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