Leonard Earl Howze

Leonard Earl Howze (born April 26, 1977) is an American actor who has been credited in over 20 movie and television roles, most notably for his role as Dinka in the first two films of the Barbershop trilogy, Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business. Howze has also made notable acting appearances in the television sitcom Kevin Can Wait, Antwone Fisher, The Lone Ranger and A Thousand Words.

Acting career Howze was born in Los Angeles, California on April 26, 1977, where he attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and graduated in the class of 1995. Howze also attended the State University of New York at Purchase and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts to begin an acting career. Howze made his acting debut as a supporting character in the 2002 blockbuster film Barbershop, where he portrays Dinka, an optimistic stereotypical African immigrant who attempts charm his crush and barber colleague, Terri played by Eve.

In the 2010s, Howze continued to retain roles in the media, having roles in the films A Thousand Words starring Eddie Murphy and in the 2013 film The Lone Ranger as Homer. He appeared in multiple minor television roles as well including separate episodes of NCIS, Shameless, Legit and The League. Howze has had a recent role in 48 episodes of the television sitcom Kevin Can Wait as a supporting role. Howze says his faith in God and timing as an attribution to his commercial success and lengthy acting career.

Personal life Howze's hobbies when he's not acting include playing basketball, bowling and playing golf. Howze currently resides in New York during his intervals from filming.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2002 Barbershop Dinka Antwone Fisher Pork Chop 2004 Barbershop 2: Back in Business Dinka 2005 The Ringer Mark 2006 School for Scoundrels Classmate 2009 Blood River Tri-Pod 2012 A Thousand Words Orderly 2013 The Lone Ranger Homer 2014 Faults Raymond Market Hours Randall Short 2016 Live Cargo Doughboy Cardboard Boxer Mike Brave New Jersey Stan Holbrook True Memoirs of an International Assassin Michael Cleveland

Television Year Title Role Notes 2006 My Name Is Earl George Toolhurst Episode: "Boogeyman" Cuts Mr. Oyindeke/Jeweler Episode: "The Love Below" & "It's a Ring Thing" 2010 Tracey Ullman's State of the Union Black Cellmate Episode: "Episode #3.1" 2010–11 Memphis Beat Detective Reginald Greenback Main cast 2011 NCIS Security Guard Wilson Episode: "One Last Score" Shameless Frank's Co-worker Episode: "Daddyz Girl" 2013 Legit Teshawn Episode: "Anger" The League Sky Cap Episode: "The Bye Week" 2014 Masters of Sex Leonard Episode: "Story of My Life" 2016–18 Kevin Can Wait Tyrone 'Goody' Goodman Main cast 2021 The Zip Code Plays: Los Angeles William J. Seymour Episode: "90026: Echo Park – $10 and a Tambourine" 2021–26 The Upshaws Davis Recurring cast 2023 Florida Man Ray-Ray Recurring role