Karl Howman has built a long career across British television, film, theater, writing, and directing. Born in Woolwich, London, in 1953, he became widely recognized for playing Jacko in the sitcom Brush Strokes, a role that remains closely associated with his career.
His work has also included films such as The Long Good Friday, Babylon, That’ll Be the Day, and Stardust, along with television appearances in Mulberry, Babes in the Wood, and EastEnders. In the 2010s, a new generation of viewers knew him as Buster Briggs in EastEnders.
More recently, Howman has expanded his work beyond acting. He has written books, worked behind the camera, and in 2026 directed and wrote the short film A Unicorn.
Karl Howman Early Life and Background
Karl Howman was born on December 13, 1953, in Woolwich, London, England. Sources also describe him as growing up in the Lewisham area of south London. His parents were Frederick and Florence Howman, and he was the eldest of four siblings.
His route into acting began at a young age. He became involved with the National Youth Theatre, where he developed his stage experience before moving into professional screen work.
A press biography connected with the film Babylon recalls that Howman attended Picardy Boys School before becoming involved with the National Youth Theatre. His work in a National Youth Theatre production helped bring him to the attention of filmmaker David Puttnam, leading to an opportunity in That’ll Be the Day.
That early connection proved significant. Rather than entering television through a single defining role, Howman gradually built experience through stage work, films, and television appearances.
Karl Howman Acting Career
Karl Howman’s professional screen career stretches back to the early 1970s. One of his earliest credited screen appearances came in The Canterbury Tales, followed by roles in films and television productions during the decade.
During this period, he appeared in productions including Softly, Softly: Task Force, The Sweeney, Porridge, Van der Valk, and Get Some In!. His work during these years helped establish him as a versatile British character actor.
In 1978, Howman took over the role of Jakey Smith in the final series of Get Some In!, succeeding Robert Lindsay. He subsequently appeared in programs such as Blake’s 7, Minder, The Professionals, and Boon.
His film credits from the same broad period include That’ll Be the Day, Stardust, Exposé, Porridge, Babylon, and The Long Good Friday.
Brush Strokes and the Rise of Jacko
The role that brought Karl Howman his widest television recognition was Jacko in Brush Strokes.
The BBC sitcom ran from 1986 to 1991, with Howman playing Jacko, a painter and decorator whose confident personality became a central part of the comedy. IMDb describes the character as a womanizer who had little interest in settling down.
Brush Strokes became one of the defining television credits of Howman’s career. The show’s popularity also gave him a character that remained strongly associated with his public image decades after the series ended.
The program has continued to attract interest from viewers familiar with British sitcoms of the 1980s. Howman himself has reflected on the passage of time since the show’s original run, noting in a TV Guide interview that each generation develops its own television hits.
Film Work
Howman’s film career has run alongside his television work.
He appeared in The Long Good Friday, the 1980 British crime film, playing David. He also played Ronnie in Babylon, a film centered on London’s reggae sound-system culture and racial tensions. Other film credits include That’ll Be the Day, Stardust, Party Party, Malicious Intent, and The Truth About Love.
His film roles demonstrate a different side of his career from the sitcom work for which he became best known. While comedy remained an important part of his screen identity, he also worked in drama and crime films.
Mulberry
After Brush Strokes, Howman took another prominent television role in the BBC series Mulberry.
The show ran from 1992 to 1993, with Howman playing the title character, Mulberry. The series gave him an opportunity to move into another distinctive comedy role following the success of Jacko.
Babes in the Wood
Howman later appeared in the television comedy Babes in the Wood, playing Charlie Lovall. His involvement in the series added another major sitcom credit to a career already strongly associated with British comedy.
EastEnders and Buster Briggs
In 2014, Karl Howman joined the cast of the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders as Buster Briggs.
Buster was connected to several major characters in the show, including Shirley Carter, played by Linda Henry, and his sons Mick Carter and Dean Wicks. His storylines also included work at a fish stall and a relationship with Kathy Sullivan, played by Gillian Taylforth.
Howman remained associated with the role from 2014 to 2016. The part introduced his work to a large soap-opera audience and became one of the most recognizable roles of his later television career.
Karl Howman as a Writer and Director
Acting is only one part of Karl Howman’s professional work.
In later years, he developed projects as a writer, director, and producer. His work behind the camera includes Fathers of Girls, a 2009 film that he wrote, directed, and executive produced.
He also co-wrote Secret Spitfires with Ethem Cetintas and Gavin Clarke. The book later appeared in paperback, and Howman was involved with the film version as a co-director and producer.
Another major writing project was A Million Ways to Stay on the Run, which Howman co-wrote with journalist Donal MacIntyre. The book became a Sunday Times bestseller in 2023, according to biographical listings.
The audiobook, narrated by Howman, subsequently received recognition at the True Crime Awards, where it won Best Audio Book in 2024.
A Unicorn
Howman’s creative work has continued into 2026.
A Unicorn, an eight-minute short film released in the United Kingdom in May 2026, lists Karl Howman as both writer and director. The cast includes Graham Cole, Chloe Howman, Katy-Jo Howman, Gary Webster, Ray Winstone, and others.
The project also has a family connection because Howman’s daughters Chloe and Katy-Jo are among the cast.
Karl Howman Movies and TV Shows
Some of the most notable Karl Howman movies and TV shows include:
- The Canterbury Tales (1972)
- That’ll Be the Day (1973)
- Stardust (1974)
- Exposé (1976)
- Porridge (1979)
- Babylon (1980)
- The Long Good Friday (1980)
- Party Party (1983)
- Brush Strokes (1986–1991)
- Mulberry (1992–1993)
- Babes in the Wood (1998)
- Malicious Intent (2000)
- The Truth About Love (2005)
- EastEnders (2014–2016)
- A Unicorn (2026)
These credits cover several decades and show the range of Howman’s career, from British sitcoms and soap operas to feature films and independent projects.
Karl Howman Personal Life and Family
Karl Howman married Clare Lightfoot in 1976. The couple have two daughters, Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman, both of whom followed their father into acting.
Chloe Howman has developed her own television career, including appearances in Family Affairs, HolbyBlue, and Casualty. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before building a career in television and film.
Katy-Jo Howman has also worked as an actress. The sisters appeared alongside their father as children in Brush Strokes, giving the Howman family an early connection to the entertainment industry.
The family’s creative connection continued with A Unicorn in 2026, which features Karl Howman as director and writer alongside Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman in the cast.
Karl Howman Height and Appearance
Karl Howman’s height is listed as 5 feet 8 inches, or approximately 1.73 meters, by IMDb.
His recognizable screen presence has been part of his appeal across both comedy and drama. From Jacko’s energetic personality in Brush Strokes to Buster Briggs in EastEnders, his roles have often relied on a strong character-driven performance rather than conventional leading-man presentation.
Karl Howman Net Worth
There is no sufficiently dependable public figure that can be used to state Karl Howman’s net worth as a confirmed amount.
His career has included decades of acting, writing, directing, and producing, but individual earnings and current personal finances are not publicly established through authoritative financial reporting. For that reason, specific online net-worth estimates should not be treated as confirmed figures.
Interesting Facts About Karl Howman
1. He began working in entertainment young
Howman’s path into professional acting began through youth theater and the National Youth Theatre before he established himself on screen.
2. Jacko remains his signature television role
Although his career includes numerous films and television programs, Brush Strokes and the character Jacko remain among the roles most strongly associated with him.
3. He has worked on both sides of the camera
Howman has not limited himself to acting. His career also includes writing, directing, and producing, including his work on Fathers of Girls and A Unicorn.
4. His daughters are actresses
Both Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman followed their father into acting.
5. He appeared in The Long Good Friday
Howman had a role in the acclaimed British crime film The Long Good Friday, expanding his film work beyond television comedy.
6. He became an author
Howman co-wrote books including Secret Spitfires and A Million Ways to Stay on the Run, adding publishing to his long list of creative work.
FAQs
Who is Karl Howman?
Karl Howman is an English actor, writer, director, and producer. He is best known for playing Jacko in Brush Strokes, Mulberry in Mulberry, and Buster Briggs in EastEnders.
How old is Karl Howman?
Karl Howman was born on December 13, 1953. He is 72 years old as of September 2026.
What is Karl Howman famous for?
He is particularly known for playing Jacko in the British sitcom Brush Strokes. His other notable roles include Mulberry and Buster Briggs in EastEnders.
What movies has Karl Howman appeared in?
His film credits include That’ll Be the Day, Stardust, Babylon, The Long Good Friday, Party Party, Malicious Intent, and The Truth About Love.
Was Karl Howman in EastEnders?
Yes. He played Buster Briggs in EastEnders from 2014 to 2016. The character was connected to the Carter family and appeared in several major storylines.
Does Karl Howman have children?
Yes. He has two daughters, Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman, who are both actresses.
What is Karl Howman’s latest project?
In 2026, Howman wrote and directed the short film A Unicorn, which features Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman in the cast.
Conclusion
Karl Howman’s career stands out for its variety and longevity. From his early work in British film and television to the enduring popularity of Jacko in Brush Strokes, he has remained a familiar figure in British entertainment.
His later work has added new dimensions to that career. Roles such as Buster Briggs in EastEnders introduced him to another generation, while his books and directing projects demonstrate an interest that extends beyond acting.
For readers exploring Karl Howman, his career offers a broader story than any single television role: he has worked as an actor, writer, director, and producer across more than five decades, with his creative work continuing into 2026.
