Let's make this birthday one to remember.

55 years old (Born on March 11, 1969)

American, Actor; He is famous from Mr. Hollands Opus.

Grew up in Cleveland. At the age of 3, he witnessed his father stab a man in self-defense. His father served 11 months for manslaughter. Was member of the dramatic jury at the Sundance Film Festival in 2006. Was in Ashanti's first video, Foolish. Invited to join AMPAS in 2006.

Went to Pratt institute to study chemical engineering.

He has 10 siblings.

Attended the third annual Dubai International Film Festival in the United Arab Emirates in late December 2006 along with Oliver Stone, Mos Def and Richard Gere.

Great-grandmother, Minnie Gentry, was an actress in New York.

Has a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Has two daughters and one son: Aubrey, Hunter and Heavenly.

He was released from jail on August 18 2000 after spending a night there in Cleveland. He allegedly grabbed a flight attendant's wrist (Cleveland-bound flight from Toronto) and yelled at her to get out of his way when she told him to remain in his seat while the plane's seat belt sign was on. He was reportedly taking his 3-year-old daughter, Heavenly, to the bathroom. Another passenger assisted the flight attendant, who was not seriously hurt. On arrival in Cleveland, Howard was charged with assault and jailed overnight, but the charge was dismissed when the local prosecutor said he lacked jurisdiction and the incident was a federal matter. [August 2000]