Biography
Who is Leo Howard?
Early life and background
Leo Howard was born on July 13, 1997, in Newport Beach, California, and spent his childhood growing up in Fallbrook, California. His parents, Randye and Todd Howard, are professional dog breeders who operate The Big Bulldog Ranch. As a child, Leo attended Tri-City Christian School in Vista, California, before transitioning to homeschooling to accommodate his growing acting schedule.
From a young age, Leo developed a strong passion for martial arts, beginning his training at age four. He eventually specialized in the Okinawan discipline of Shōrin-ryū and earned a black belt. At age nine, he became the youngest member to perform with Mullins Sideswipe Performance Team, traveling across the country to show martial arts, dance, and acrobatics.
Acting career highlights
Leo began his professional acting career with guest roles and modeling work before landing his first steady job hosting the Disney Channel short-form talk show series Leo Little's Big Show in 2009. That same year, he made his feature film debut as a young Snake Eyes in the action film G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, performing all of his own stunts. He also appeared in the family comedy film Shorts, earning a Young Artist Award for Best Young Ensemble Cast.
His major breakthrough came when he landed the starring role of Jack Brewer in the Disney XD comedy series Kickin It, which ran for four seasons and became a big ratings hit for the network. During his time on the show, Leo directed the fourth season episode Fight at the Museum at age 16, setting a record as the youngest television director in history. He later directed two episodes of Gamer's Guide to Pretty Much Everything.
Recent roles and television work
Following the conclusion of Kickin It, Leo appeared in various television genres, including the Hulu teen horror series Freakish as Grover Jones and the comedy horror series Santa Clarita Diet. He also took on roles in the crime drama Why Women Kill and the fantasy series Legacies on The CW, where he played Ethan Machando.
In addition to his television work, Leo has pursued music, releasing singles and an album with his band Ask Jonesy & Company. In 2023, he joined the cast of the long-running NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives, portraying the character Tate Black and making his first appearance on screen in April 2024.
Personal life and marriage
Outside of his acting and martial arts background, Leo has cultivated several distinct personal interests, including cooking, playing the guitar, and collecting antique weapons like swords and knives. Because of his demanding physical roles, he has grown more cautious with heavy sparring to avoid injuries that could impact his filming obligations.
In September 2024, Leo married actress Natasha Hall. He continues to balance his ongoing television work with his personal hobbies and musical pursuits.
Birthday and age
Leo Howard was born on July 13, 1997, which makes Leo 29 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Leo shares the date with 30 other famous people.
Explore more
