Shawn Michael Howard (born in July 31, 1969, in Newark, New Jersey), is an African-American film and television actor. Shawn moved to Manhattan at age 19 to study acting at New York University. He began working off-Broadway while still in school, in Mac Wellman's Crowbar, which won the obie for Best Play. He worked in character roles on episodic television in New York, and his first film role came opposite Tupac Shakur in Above the Rim. In 1994 he moved to Hollywood and appeared in the independent feature Ritual in 2000. A succession of recurring television roles led to his breakthrough role as Russell on the hit NBC sitcom The Single Guy in 1995.

Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, in July 1969, Shawn moved to Manhattan at age 19 to study acting at New York University. He began working off-Broadway while still in school, in Mac Wellman's Crowbar, which won the obie for Best Play. He worked in character roles on episodic television in New York, and his first film role came opposite Tupac Shakur in Above the Rim (1994). In 1994 he moved to Hollywood and appeared as Mason in the independent feature Ritual (2000/I), opposite Clarence Williams III. A succession of recurring television roles led to his breakthrough role as Russell on the hit NBC sitcom, "Single Guy, The" (1995), with Jonathan Silverman (I). Howard is a guitarist, singer/songwriter, and lead singer and rhythm guitarist in the four-piece alternative rock band, hopejunkies, and he is also a celebrated voice-over artist.