From the impressionable age of eleven, Milton "Lil Rel" Howery set out to make the world laugh. With
influential comedians like Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, and Louie Anderson in their prime, Lil Rel spent
the early 90's tuned into classic programs like Def Comedy Jam and Raw. While other young adolescents
in his West Side Chicago neighborhood were doing typical juvenile things, he was studying and
mastering the art of comedy. Now as a well-respected comedian, actor and writer, Lil Rel has become a
comedic staple in Chicago and a rising star nationally.
As a teen who sought worldwide fame and success, Lil Rel wanted much more than to tell jokes to his
family and loved ones. He was immediately drawn to the production and performance aspects of
entertaining. At seventeen years old, Lil Rel wrote original comedic scenes for one of the most critical
audiences he'd face: his high school peers. After starring in the school play and effortlessly delivering
side-cramping laughs, his impact was undeniable. His peers and teachers offered enthusiastic approval
that left Lil Rel humbled and reflective.
After finishing high school, Lil Rel set out in search of the comedy spot that would offer him a chance to
perform. He found that opportunity at The Lion's Den in Chicago's East Side. Too young to get in, he
arrived earlier than most in hopes that the owner would bend the rules. He did. After walking out on to
the stage, Lil Rel delivered his routine. An apparent hit, Lil Rel became a weekly regular at The Lion's Den
before continuing on to become one of Chicago's most prominent comedians and hosts at an
innumerable amount of comedy clubs and showcases.
As Lil Rel's fan base grew, so did his opportunities. He submitted a performance tape to BET's Comic View
casting department and was offered his first paid television spot in 2001. Proving to be a natur al
comedian with an undeniable stage presence, he was invited to perform again on the following season.
With Comic View at its peak of popularity, the exposure launched him to the next phase of his career. By
earning the respect of powerful show executives through his hilarious story-telling and knowledgeable off-
stage demeanor, Lil Rel became a regularly featured comedian all over television and the nation.
With small appearances like his national film debut in MGM Studio's "Barbershop 2" along with featured
roles in urban hits like TV One's "Bill Bellamy's: Who Got Jokes" and HBO's "Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy," Lil
Rel has been a welcome guest in inner-city homes for years. One of Lil Rel's most valuable television
appearances was NBC's Last Comic Standing. Though he did not win the show, his memorable
characters (including the infamous "neighborhood hoodrat") resonated well with at-home viewers. His
crossover appeal landed him a spot on NBC's Diversity Showcase, as well as his hometown's second
largest comedy experience, the "Just for Laughs Chicago Festival."
In 2009, Lil Rel began his first business, The Lil Rel Company. Initially launched as the holding company for
his stand-up comedy material, The Lil Rel Company now houses the entire Lil Rel brand. Lil Rel continues
to perform at comedy clubs, showcases, and colleges around the country. In July of 2010, he appeared
on Comedy Central's "Russell Simmons Presents: Stand-up at the El Rey." His new CD, "I Know You Hear
Me, But Are You Listening," is available on iTunes.