Actor / Singer / Songwriter / Olympian / Professional Athlete / Cardiac Treatment Specialist / Coach / Educator, Victoria, B.C. & Orange County, CA. Born: North York, ON.
Former Olympian Howard Dell approaches every avenue of his life with the same drive, passion and persistence that propelled him, at breakneck speed, down the icy rollercoaster-like slopes of the International Bobsled circuit. Rich in abilities, wide-ranging interests and diverse pursuits, Howard is an accomplished actor, musician and composer, and an expert on fitness, health and nutrition. He has crystallized his eclectic interests into his current role as a motivator and positive force for change.
Early in his performing career he starred in the Canadian stage hit, The Black and Gold Review, where his vocal range, ready wit and transcending charm captivated sold-out audiences and garnered rave reviews. He made his national TV debut opposite Academy Award-winning actress Halle Berry on the hit Cosby spin-off TV series, A Different World, and starred as the complex, hard-kicking secret agent “Dobrinksy” in the widely syndicated action series John Woo’s Once A Thief. Other credits include guest and co-starring roles in: Navy NCIS, The Young and the Restless, Malcolm and Eddie, That 70’s Show, PSI Factor, The Joe Torry Story, and L.A. Heat. Film credits include Totally Blonde, Doomsday Rock and Panic in the Sky.
In 2005, Howard made his reality show debut as the host of the series Making It Big, which premiered on the Oxygen Network in the U.S. and Life Network in Canada. Howard handheld ambitious young participants as they faced challenges that, each week, pit three up-and-comers against each other. They vied for a once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, and a reward that money can’t buy: personal mentoring by high-profile industry leaders who have the power to launch their careers into the stratosphere.
As a medal-winning athlete and pro football player in both Canada and the U.S., Howard has a deep understanding of what it takes, emotionally and physically, to excel in the elite sports world. He imparts that knowledge through a thriving consulting business, which he juggles with his demanding acting career. Moving easily from on-camera work to projects as a film and television sports advisor, he also trains top North American and European athletes in tennis, track, football, basketball and triathlons. He is currently translating his hard-won hands-on knowledge about nutrition for health and vitality into a book, Eating Left Because Right Didn’t Work; written for anyone who wants to feel and look better.
Howard consistently makes time to speak out on behalf of various charities. A former national spokesperson for Multiple Sclerosis, he has also donated his talents to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Alberta Lung Association. His latest endeavour is steeped in his personal experience as a recent liver recipient last November. Overcoming all obstacles and battling for his own life these past several years really put things into perspective for him. Attempting to fight this personal battle within the bureaucracy that is the medical system and attempting to find natural life-saving cures, his only option was a transplant and the duration it took to get one has certainly opened up his eyes to the value of human life. One must go in order for one to receive. His journey through to his recovery has given him a new lease on life and his appreciation for donors has encouraged him to recently apply for membership in the Canadian Transplant Association (CTA).
With someone so young at heart and with so many talents and accomplishments, Howard is now in the process of writing his own autobiography which he anticipates shopping around to publishers in the very near future.
In his spare time he indulges this life-long passion for music with composing and informal nightclub performances as a pianist and singer in his favourite local hangout.
Favourite book? Where Do We Go From Here by Dr. Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
Favourite quote? “Now is the time.”
Given the chance, what would you love do that you haven’t done yet? Win my Grammy and Oscar, set up my cardiac treatment centre in Australia, and finish my documentary in order to promote organ donation.
Who or what inspires you? My parents, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., children, love, and philanthropy.
Why do you do what you do? Because no one is selling hope to our children.
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