Karl Howman (born 13 December 1953) is an English writer, actor and director.
Howman has been an actor since 1968, where he started with the National Youth Theatre. Howman is best known for playing Jacko in the sitcom Brush Strokes from 1986 to 1991, Mulberry in Mulberry from 1992 to 1993 and Buster Briggs in EastEnders from 2014 to 2016.
Acting career Howman appeared in many TV shows"Karl Howman on TV Guide" and films throughout his career. He is an established British comedy actor."Karl Howman on British Comedy Guide"
Howman took over the role of Jakey Smith from Robert Lindsay in Get Some In! in its final series in 1978. He then appeared in the episode "Shadow" in the BBC series Blake's 7,Blakes 7 Shadow (TV Episode 1979), IMDb.com in the Minder episode "All About Scoring, Innit?" playing Danny Varrow,Minder All About Scoring, Init (TV Episode 1980), Ronnie in Babylon (1980) was a breakout role for him. IMDb.com and in The Sweeney episode "May," playing Davey Holmes.The Sweeney, May (TV Episode 1976), IMDb.com
In 1980, he appeared in Babylon, a 1980 British drama film directed by Franco Rosso. Written by Franco Rosso and Martin Stellman, it is an incendiary portrait of racial tension and police brutality set in Brixton, London.
On 25 September 2014, it was announced that Howman had been cast in long-running BBC soap EastEnders. Howman appeared as the character Buster Briggs. In his time on the show, Buster's storylines included his relationship with Shirley Carter (Linda Henry), his relationship with his two sons Mick Carter (Danny Dyer) and Dean Wicks (Matt Di Angelo), running a fish stall and having an affair with Kathy Sullivan (Gillian Taylforth). In July 2016, it was announced that Howman would be leaving the show after nearly two years. Buster left the show after his relationship with Shirley and his affair with Kathy both ended, with Howman's last episode airing on 23 September 2016.
On the radio he also appeared in King Street Junior as Mr Philip Sims and in Coming Alive as Terry King.
Writing projects In recent years, Howman has begun developing work as a writer. His first book, Secret Spitfires,The History Press Sunday Times Bestseller Culture Magazine 26/2/2023 co-written with Ethem Cetintas and Gavin Clarke, went to paperback from hardback in 2022; he also co-directed and produced the film of the same name.Fathers of Girls IMDB.com Howman's second book, A Million Ways to stay on the Run () which he co-wrote with Donal Macintyre, was a Sunday Times bestseller two weeks after publication in early 2023. The audio book, which is narrated by Howman, won the Best Audio Book 2024 at True Crime Awards.Best Audio Book 2024 at True Crime Awards
Personal life Howman married Clare Lightfoot in 1976. They have two children, actresses Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman, and six grandchildren.
Howman supports Charlton Athletic.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes1972 The Canterbury Tales Lover uncredited1973 That'll Be the Day Johnny 1974 Stardust Stevie 1976 Exposé Big Youth 1979 Porridge Urquart 1980 Babylon Ronnie The Long Good Friday David 1983 Party Party Johnny Reeves 2000 Malicious Intent Dirk Saunders 2005 The Truth About Love Cliff Sharpe
Television Year Title Role Notes1972 Softly, Softly: Task Force Fletcher Episode: "Justice" Thirty-Minute Theatre Bennett Episode: "You've Been a Long Time, Alfred"1973 The Jensen Code Jacko 7 episodes Warship AB Mick Turner Episode: "The Prize" Armchair Theatre Spice Episode: "The Death of Glory"1974 Marked Personal Gordon Smales 2 episodes Man About the House Philip Episode: "Two Foot Two, Eyes of Blue" The Fortunes of Nigel Jenkin Vincent All 5 episodes1975 The Prodigal Daughter Patrick O'Donnell TV film Public Eye Bricky Episode: "They All Sound Simple at First" Angels Barney Episode: "Off Duty" Shades of Greene Second Boy Episode: "Two Gentle People"1976 The Sweeney Davey Holmes Episode: "May"1977 Van der Valk Eric Episode: "The Professor"1978 Hazell Slippery Episode: "Hazell Pays a Debt" Life at Stake Hostage Episode: "The Train That Never Arrived" Get Some In! Jakey Smith 7 episodes Angels Terry Jordan Episode: "The Visitor" People Like Us Boxer Carver 6 episodes Il y a encore des noisetiers Bob Perret-Latour TV film1978-1981 Play for Today Policeman/Geoffrey 2 episodes, including The Flipside of Dominick Hide1979 Blake's 7 Bek Episode: "Shadow" S.O.S. Titanic Harold Lowe TV film1980 Fox Griff 4 episodes The Other 'Arf Alex 2 episodes1980-1985MinderDanny Varrow/Browning2 episodes, including "Minder on the Orient Express"1981 Keep It in the Family Arnold Episode: "Splitting Headaches" Only When I Laugh Ronnie Episode: "Accident"1982 The Professionals Stacey Episode: "Foxhole on the Roof" Shelley Messenger Episode: "Shelley Versus Shelley"1983–1984 A Fine Romance Terry Bullivant 4 episodes1985 Oscar Fred Atkins All 3 episodes Juliet Bravo Billy Griffiths Episode: "The Cut" Dempsey and Makepeace Photographer Episode: "Set a Thief" Black Silk Det. Sgt. Hogg Episode: "The Cause of Liberty" Ties of Blood Bob Wynne Episode: "The Military Wing"1986–1991 Brush Strokes Jacko All 40 episodes1986 Slinger's Day Scruff Episode: "New Management"1988 Boon Lenny Bright Episode: "Peacemaker"1989 Saracen Jamie Episode: "Robbers"1992–1993 Mulberry Mulberry All 13 episodes1995–1996 Bad Boys Wayne Todd All 7 episodes1998–1999 Babes in the Wood Charlie Lovall All 14 episodes2001 The Bill Julian Napper 4 episodes2001-2014 Doctors Terry Murray/Ray Evendon 2 episodes2002 Holby City Ian Brooks Episode: "The Private Sector"2004 The Last Detective Keith Telfer Episode: "Christine"2005 Mile High Warren Episode: #2.192009 Casualty Rod Episode: "Ask Me No Questions"2014–2016 EastEnders Buster Briggs 143 episodes2020 Barmy Dale DS Linklater Episode: "Dreaming of a Quiet Christmas"
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