Neva Howell

Neva Howell is an American actress. She is best known for playing Ma Kent in the 2025 superhero film Superman.

Early life Howell was born in Tennessee. As a child she would act out songs in front of her family. Her family moved frequently when she was younger. She attended North Sand Mountain High School in Bryant, Alabama, before graduating from Dade County High School in Trenton, Georgia. While attending Northeast Alabama Community College in Rainsville, Alabama, she performed in every play put on in her time as a student, and she met Ann Everitt, who convinced her to audition for the National Shakespeare Conservatory in New York City.

Career Shows and films she has appeared in include Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, The Originals, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. Her first big role in a movie was playing Ms. Crawford in the 2024 crime comedy Greedy People. Her biggest role so far has been playing Ma Kent in the superhero film Superman. When she first auditioned, a year and a half before the film's release, she was unaware she was Superman's mother. After getting the role she felt relieved after having many near misses in the past.

Personal life When she is not traveling for auditions or filming, Howell lives in Trenton, and stays busy with online resale.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1989 Deadly Addiction Dancer in Nightclub 1993 The Conviction of Kitty Dodds Millie 1996 My Fellow Americans Charlene 1999 October Sky Neighbour A Good Baby Woman at Mailboxes 2003 A Painted House Darla Latcher 2005 Worms Petty J. Sackamn Strubble Short 2006 Two Weeks Grocery Clerk 2008 Billy: The Early Years Shea Secretary 2014 The Cameraman Irene Wilkes Short Strangers Yesterday Ms. Quinn Fever Dreams Irene Wilkes 2017 Novitiate Sister Eleanor Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul Farmer Lady Logan Lucky Woman on the News The Nobodies Woman 2018 Burden Gina Run the Race Martha 2019 Fever Dreams Movie Irene Wilkes 2021 Bennie Josie Short Ghosts of the Ozarks Miss Roberts 2024 Greedy People Ms. Crawford 2025 Superman Martha Kent 2027 Man of Tomorrow

Television Year Title Role Notes 2005 America's Most Wanted Wanda Jane Parnell Episode; Jason Morris Howard 2007 Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide Alien Abduction Woman Episode; Fundraising & Competition 2011-2013 Beckinfield Leda Jo Gupta 31 episodes 2013 The Castlehassle The Nanny 2 episodes 2013 The Edge of Sanity Nurse Gertrude 7 episodes 2016 Still the King Waitress June Episode; The King Has Left the Building 2017 Mercy Street Alma 2 episodes 2017 Outcast DeeDee 2 episodes 2018 The Originals Bus Driver Episode; Ne Me Quitte Pas 2019 The Resident Sour Apple Episode; Stuck as Foretold