Edward Mills Howard was born on Friday, September 2, 1910, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, as the eighth of ten children to James Robert Howard (1853-1937) and Lula Monica Mills (1871-1952). His father, James, initially worked as a farmer, later becoming a carpentry foreman for the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, and eventually transitioning into a building contractor.
Edward was one of seven brothers and three sisters, and following his sophomore year at Tuscaloosa Senior High School, he began working as a bricklayer, according to the 1930 U.S. Census.
In 1935, Edward married Bernyce Eva Bell (October 26, 1915 - December 16, 2009),a legal secretary, in Los Angeles, California, USA. At the time, they were living in Santa Monica, and Edward was employed as a route man for a laundry. The couple divorced in the early 1940s.
Edward's acting career began with six minor, uncredited roles in 1942, 1943, and 1944. In 1945, he appeared in fifteen B-westerns, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
In his final three movies, released in 1946, Edward's most prominent role was as Dunc Rankin in Thunder Town, marking his next-to-last film appearance.
Tragically, Edward passed away on Monday, September 16, 1946, in a Los Angeles hospital after a prolonged illness. His funeral service and burial took place on Friday, September 20, 1946, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA, with interment in Evergreen Cemetery in that community.
Edward Mills Howard's life was marked by a mix of humble beginnings, a brief but varied acting career, and a untimely passing, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered by those who knew him.
