Karl Howman is an English actor, writer and director, born on 13 December 1953. He is best known for playing Jacko in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes, the title character in Mulberry, and Andrew “Buster” Briggs in EastEnders. His career is covered in detail on Wikipedia.
Howman began acting with the National Youth Theatre in 1968 and later built a career across television, film, radio and theatre. Early credits included appearances in Get Some In!, Blake’s 7, The Sweeney, Minder and the film Babylon.
His other television work has included The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, Bad Boys and Babes in the Wood. Beyond acting, he has worked as a writer, director and producer, including co-writing and co-directing Secret Spitfires.
What is Karl Howman doing now?
- Howman is best remembered for two very different roles: the sitcom painter Jacko and the soap ex-con Buster Briggs.
- His career spans five decades and multiple formats, including sitcoms, fantasy comedy, soaps, film and radio.
- Reliable sources confirm his birth date, occupation and major roles.
- His marital status, residence and net worth are not consistently documented.
- He has moved beyond acting into writing, directing, producing and voice work.
- His most recent phase is selective, with writing projects, podcast appearances and public events rather than a regular television role.
| Field | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Born | 13 December 1953 | Wikipedia |
| Occupation | English writer, actor and director | Wikipedia |
| Known for | Jacko in Brush Strokes | Wikipedia |
| Notable TV roles | Title character in Mulberry (circa 1992); Buster Briggs in EastEnders (2014) | Getty Images; Facebook post |
| Current availability | Available for speaking engagements | Champions Speakers |
| Wife / relationship | Not publicly confirmed | — |
| Net worth | Not publicly confirmed | — |
| Residence | Not publicly confirmed | — |
Howman’s last major regular television role was Buster Briggs in EastEnders, which ended in 2016. A dedicated EastEnders: Buster Briggs character guide covers his time on the soap.
Available 2025–2026 reporting describes him as selectively active rather than appearing in a continuing prime-time television role. Recent reported activities include:
- Developing writing and film projects with producer or creative partner Ethem Cetintas.
- Participating in a screening and question-and-answer event for Party Party at London’s Cinema Museum in 2025.
- Appearing on the My Time Capsule podcast to discuss Brush Strokes, Mulberry and EastEnders.
- Remaining available for public appearances and speaking engagements through event or talent agencies.
No clearly documented new major television series or film starring Howman has been identified in available 2026 reporting.
What are Karl Howman’s most famous movies and TV shows?
Howman’s television career spans five decades, from 1970s guest roles to leading sitcom parts and a regular stint in one of Britain’s biggest soaps.
How did Karl Howman start his acting career?
Howman began acting with the National Youth Theatre in 1968. His early credits included Get Some In!, Blake’s 7, The Sweeney, Minder and the film Babylon. Later television work included The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, Bad Boys and Babes in the Wood.
What was Jacko in Brush Strokes?
Howman played the energetic painter and decorator Jacko in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes, which ran from 1986 to 1991. The role made him a household name in Britain. His full screen credits are listed on IMDb.
A separate article, Brush Strokes: cast and where they are now, follows what the cast have done since the show ended.
Who was Mulberry in the BBC sitcom?
Howman played the title character in the BBC fantasy sitcom Mulberry from 1992 to 1993.
What was Buster Briggs’ role in EastEnders?
Howman joined the BBC soap as Andrew “Buster” Briggs in 2014. Buster was connected to the Shirley Carter and Mitchell family storylines and was involved in relationships with Shirley and Kathy. Howman left the programme in 2016; his final episode aired on 23 September that year, according to his profile on TV Maze.
Buster Briggs entered EastEnders with ties to the Carter and Mitchell families. His relationships with Shirley and Kathy were part of his storyline across his time in the programme.
What other film and voice work has Karl Howman done?
His film credits include Party Party, Bad Boys and Malicious Intent. He has also worked as a voice performer, including radio roles in King Street Junior and Coming Alive. His screen credits are also catalogued on Netflix Movies.
Beyond acting, Howman has worked as a writer, director and producer. He co-wrote and co-directed Secret Spitfires and has been associated with the book and audiobook A Million Ways to Stay on the Run. The audiobook, narrated by Howman, reportedly won Best Audiobook at the 2024 True Crime Awards.
Is Karl Howman married? What do we know about his wife?
What is known about Karl Howman’s marriage and family?
Public biographies state that Howman married Clare Lightfoot in 1976. They have two daughters, actresses Chloe Howman and Katy-Jo Howman, and six grandchildren.
Some newer online reports describe the marriage as having ended in divorce, while other biographical listings still identify Lightfoot as his spouse. His current marital status is therefore not reliably established in the available sources.
Where does Karl Howman live now?
There is no reliably verified public information identifying Howman’s current residence, address or home. Specific claims about where he lives should be treated cautiously, particularly where they come from celebrity-profile or unverified biography sites.
What is Karl Howman’s net worth?
No verified official figure for Howman’s net worth has been published, according to recent reporting.
Online estimates of Karl Howman’s net worth should not be treated as authoritative. They generally lack financial documentation and may be speculative.
How has Karl Howman’s career developed over the years?
- – Karl Howman was born. Wikipedia
- – Began acting with the National Youth Theatre.
- – Began playing Jacko in the sitcom Brush Strokes. Wikipedia
- – Appeared as the title character in the BBC1 sitcom Mulberry. Photographs from this period appear in the Getty Images archive.
- – Became a regular EastEnders actor, playing ex-con Buster Briggs. Facebook post
- – His final EastEnders episode aired. TV Maze
- – Took part in a Party Party screening and Q&A at London’s Cinema Museum. Daily City
- Current – Available for speaking engagements. Champions Speakers
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about Karl Howman?
- Born 13 December 1953
- English writer, actor and director
- Best known for Jacko in Brush Strokes from 1986
- Played the title character in Mulberry circa 1992
- In 2014 became a regular EastEnders actor as Buster Briggs
- Available to book for speaking engagements
- Wife and relationship status
- Current residence
- Net worth
- Any 2026 projects not yet documented in available reporting
Why does Karl Howman remain a familiar name in British television?
Howman’s career connects three distinct eras of British programming. Brush Strokes connects him to the 1980s sitcom era, Mulberry to early 1990s fantasy comedy, and EastEnders to the long-running soap format of the 2010s.
He has also extended his career beyond performing. He co-wrote and co-directed Secret Spitfires and narrated A Million Ways to Stay on the Run, an audiobook that reportedly won Best Audiobook at the 2024 True Crime Awards.
His best-known work spans different generations of viewers, from 1980s sitcom audiences to 2010s soap viewers. That range helps explain the continuing curiosity about his career and personal life.
Where can you find accurate information about Karl Howman?
Karl Howman (born 13 December 1953) is an English writer, actor and director.
— Wikipedia
In 2014 Karl Howman became one of the regular actors for the BBC soap EastEnders, where he plays ex-con Buster Briggs.
— Facebook post
EastEnders and Brush Strokes actor, Karl Howman is available to book for speaking engagements.
— Champions Speakers
Wikipedia and IMDb provide the broadest biographical and filmography coverage. Champions Speakers documents his current availability for public bookings. Getty Images holds a historical archive of editorial photographs. For private details such as his residence, unofficial posts and celebrity-profile sites are the least reliable sources.
What should you take away about Karl Howman?
Karl Howman’s career spans more than five decades, from National Youth Theatre productions in 1968 to leading roles in Brush Strokes, Mulberry and EastEnders. In recent years he has worked selectively on writing, film, voice and public appearance projects. His birth date, major roles and current availability are well documented; his marital status, residence and net worth are not publicly confirmed.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.