Judge Throws Out Terrence Howard’s‘Empire’ Lawsuit Against CAA After Actor Claimed Agency Cost Him Big Money & Major Business Deals

Terrence Howard has suffered a major legal setback after a California judge dismissed his long-running lawsuit against Creative Artists Agency (CAA), bringing an end to the actor’s claims that the agency mishandled his contract negotiations during his starring role on the hit Fox series Empire.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Howard originally filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging CAA failed to secure the compensation and business opportunities he believed he deserved while portraying Lucious Lyon. Howard also argued that the agency had a conflict of interest because it represented Empire co-creators Lee Daniels and Danny Strong, as well as production company Imagine Entertainment.

In addition to claiming he deserved a better salary, Howard alleged his agents failed to inform him about lucrative opportunities connected to the show’s success, including discussions surrounding a Terrence Howard signature fragrance, paid promotional appearances, and a potential Home Shopping Network partnership.

However, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Cherol Nellon ruled that Howard failed to prove the agency’s actions caused him measurable financial harm. According to the ruling, any increase in compensation would have first gone to Howard’s loan-out company, Universal Bridges, rather than directly to him.

The court also found there was no evidence CAA’s negotiating strategy negatively impacted Howard’s earnings. Judge Nellon noted that the agency repeatedly attempted to renegotiate Howard’s deal with Fox, but the network rejected every proposal, making Howard’s claims too speculative to move forward.

Following the ruling, CAA celebrated the decision, calling it a complete vindication.

“CAA is gratified that the Court summarily dismissed Mr. Howard’s case prior to trial. This confirms CAA’s position from the beginning: that the agency advocated for its client and always acted in good faith,” the agency said in a statement.

Howard’s lawsuit had expanded over the years to include claims that he deserved profit participation and promotional opportunities similar to stars of other prestige television dramas. More recently, he alleged his representatives withheld discussions involving an Empire-branded fragrance campaign and other endorsement opportunities.

The legal defeat comes after Howard made headlines in recent months for candid interviews reflecting on his career, including admitting that his own confrontational approach may have cost him major Hollywood opportunities, including his role in Iron Man 2.

For now, the courtroom battle appears to be over, with the judge officially dismissing Howard’s case before it ever reached trial.