Biografía
A skilled character actor, Howell's distinctive Southern drawl—shaped by his Georgia birth and South Carolina upbringing—made him a highly sought-after talent. He launched his career on Broadway with "Make A Million," and Hollywood quickly capitalized on his accent, casting him in roles ranging from a minor part in Splendor in the Grass (1961) to the Preacher in Grand Theft Auto.
Comfortable on television as well, Howell was a recognizable presence throughout the 1970s and 80s, guest-starring in shows such as The Andy Griffith Show, Green Acres, Here Come the Brides, Columbo, JAG, The Fall Guy, Hunter, Webster, Happy Days, and Scarecrow & Mrs. King.
His career paralleled that of renowned character actors like John Carradine, Harry Dean Stanton, Pat Hingle, and Woody Strode—his co-star in Kingdom of the Spiders. Regardless of the production, Howell approached every role with dedication. He appeared in major films like Far And Away and Geronimo: An American Legend, cult classics such as Humanoids From the Deep and Kingdom of the Spiders, and low-budget features including Star Hunter and Alien Species. Even exploitation films benefited from his presence, lending credibility to titles like Slaughter's Big Rip-Off, Bikini Drive-In, Vice Girls, and Bikini Hoe-Down.
While primarily recognized for his acting, Howell also explored behind-the-scenes roles. He wrote screenplays for Click: The Calendar Girl Killer, One Block Away, and B.O.R.N., as well as three episodes of "The Rookies." Additionally, he served as an associate producer on B.O.R.N.
