A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled against Terrence Howard in his lawsuit targeting the Creative Artists Agency, dismissing claims that the firm failed in its representation regarding his employment on the television series Empire.
Howard filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging that CAA agents pressured him into accepting below-market salaries during his six-season tenure on the Fox drama, where he played the lead character. The actor claimed the agency had conflicts of interest, including representing the series’ co-creators and production company, which they failed to disclose. He sought compensation comparable to arrangements made for other major television actors, including profit participation and promotional opportunities alongside his base salary.
The dispute centered on renegotiation efforts that occurred in 2018 and 2019. Howard initially sought to increase his per-episode compensation from $325,000 to $750,000 and wanted terms aligned with other high-profile television performers. Fox declined to reopen his contract during both negotiation attempts. Howard contended that CAA had not informed him of key developments that affected his negotiating position.
The court’s dismissal hinged on the structure of Howard’s compensation. Rather than being paid directly by Fox, Howard received payment through his loan-out company, Universal Bridges, which then provided him a fixed salary. Judge Cherol Nellon ruled that any salary increase would have benefited only the loan-out company, making potential damages too speculative for litigation. The judge also noted that while CAA advocated for renegotiation, Fox retained final authority over contract terms and rejected all such attempts.
Howard brought claims including breach of fiduciary duty, constructive fraud, and fraudulent misrepresentation against CAA. The agency did not provide a statement regarding the ruling.
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