Steve Howey

Intro

Steve Howey is an American actor known for Van Montgomery in Reba and Kevin Ball in the American version of Shameless. Later credits include Harry Tasker in the television adaptation of True Lies and Nick Wagner in High Potential. Those roles cross family sitcom, adult ensemble comedy-drama, spy adventure and crime television. This page concerns the actor, not the English footballer of the same name.

Career snapshot

Hallmark's Reba biography identifies San Antonio as Howey's birthplace and Los Angeles as the city where he grew up. It records six seasons as Van Montgomery, along with guest appearances on ER and The Drew Carey Show. Van gave audiences a character to return to over an extended run. Watching those early sitcom scenes is a useful introduction to how a supporting player builds a recognizable personality through repeated exchanges with a family ensemble.

The entry point

Howey played Kevin Ball in Showtime's Shameless, working in an ensemble led by William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum. The American series began in 2011 and is distinct from the British production that premiered in 2004. The gallery uses the American show's artwork. For viewers coming from Reba, it offers a marked change in tone and surroundings while preserving the recurring-character format: an actor can remain familiar to the audience while the situations and comic boundaries change considerably.

Screen identity and style

In a March 2023 interview with What to Watch, Howey explained his approach to Harry Tasker in True Lies. He admired Arnold Schwarzenegger's film performance but did not want to reproduce it. He described discussing that approach with Ginger Gonzaga, who played Helen, and finding their own way through the material. That distinction is useful for a rewatch: compare how each version establishes the couple's relationship rather than expecting the television actors to mimic the film's stars.

Collaborations and patterns

The same interview identifies director Anthony Hemingway as an important connection between Shameless and True Lies. Howey said Hemingway had directed him on the former and encouraged him to take the pilot role. He also discussed boxing, Muay Thai and the demanding physical work of the action production. These comments describe his preparation and experience, not a claim that every stunt was performed without a double. The 2023 portrait here was taken at WonderCon, during that period of his career.

Era reflection

Howey's film work includes Bride Wars with Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway, Something Borrowed with Hudson and John Krasinski, and Day Shift with Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco. ABC's biography also lists Stuber and Game Over, Man! Alongside the longer television jobs, these credits provide shorter encounters with different comedy and action ensembles. His High Potential credit as Nick Wagner is documented in ABC's cast biography; the gallery's 2024 date marks the show's premiere, before his participation.

Legacy and rediscovery

A compact viewing route starts with Van in Reba, moves to Kevin in Shameless, and finishes with Harry in the 2023 True Lies series. That progression makes the changes in format particularly easy to see. High Potential supplies another later television milestone. The selected artwork represents the productions and may feature other cast members. Dates and captions distinguish the American Shameless and television True Lies from earlier works with the same titles, and no current streaming availability is implied.

A career in pictures

Selected career milestones. Years identify the production or labeled milestone; recurring actors may join a series later. Artwork represents the production and may show other cast members. Select an image for a larger view.

Rewatch notes

• Howey played Van Montgomery for six seasons of Reba.
• He played Harry Tasker in the 2023 television True Lies, not the 1994 film.
• Director Anthony Hemingway worked with Howey on both Shameless and True Lies.

Career highlights

Reba (2001) as Van Montgomery
Six-season sitcom role opposite Reba McEntire and the family ensemble.

Shameless (2011) as Kevin Ball
American Showtime series, not the earlier British production.

Day Shift (2022) as Cast member
Action-comedy credit with Jamie Foxx and Dave Franco.

True Lies (2023) as Harry Tasker
CBS adaptation, with Ginger Gonzaga as Helen.

High Potential (2024) as Nick Wagner; joined after the premiere
Year identifies the series debut, not Howey's first appearance.