Karl Howman – Biography, Wife, Net Worth, and Current Status

For a generation of British television viewers, Karl Howman is the face of Jacko, the cheeky, womanising painter from the beloved 1980s sitcom Brush Strokes. Yet for many others, he is Buster Briggs, the East End hardman from EastEnders, or the voice behind a Flash cleaning product advert. The actor, now in his early seventies, has enjoyed a career that spans over five decades, moving seamlessly from comedy to soap opera, and more recently, into writing and public speaking. Despite his public profile, curiosity about his private life remains high, with many searching for updates on his wife, his net worth, and his current activities.

This article provides a comprehensive, fact-based update on Karl Howman. We look at his personal life, including his marriage and family, his most famous roles, his recent career shift, and address the most common questions asked online. All information is drawn from verified sources.

Is Karl Howman Still Married? Exploring His Wife and Personal Life

One of the most persistent questions about the actor concerns his marital status. The answer, based on multiple recent sources, is that he is still married.

Key Insights on Karl Howman

• His most iconic role remains Jacko in the 1980s sitcom Brush Strokes.
• He played Buster Briggs on the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2014 to 2016.
• His marriage to Clare Lightfoot is ongoing, despite conflicting information on one online database.
• He has shifted his professional focus from acting to writing and corporate speaking.
• His net worth is not publicly documented; any figure found online is speculative.
• He is alive and active in 2025, with recent book releases and speaking engagements.

Snapshot Facts

Is Karl Howman still married?

The available evidence strongly suggests yes. Howman married Clare Lightfoot in 1976. Multiple sources, including Wikipedia, The Sun, and The Mirror, state they are still together and living in East Sussex. While one IMDb entry lists them as “divorced,” this is contradicted by more recent and authoritative biographical reports. The couple have two daughters, both actresses: Chloe Howman (born 1978) and Katy-Jo Howman. They also have six grandchildren.

Where does Karl Howman live?

According to news reports from 2021, Howman lives in East Sussex with his wife, Clare. His precise address is not a matter of public record, but the county has been confirmed as his place of residence.

Karl Howman’s health and recent challenges

In 2021, Howman opened up about a period of personal difficulty. He revealed he had struggled with depression, which led to his weight climbing to 15 stone. He also announced that his diabetes had gone into remission. That same year, he experienced the sudden loss of his business partner, Ethem Cetintas. Despite these challenges, he has continued to work and speak publicly.

What Is Karl Howman Doing Now? Movies, TV Shows, and Recent Work

Howman’s career has evolved significantly. While he is not currently appearing in major new television series, he has remained professionally active.

From sitcom star to soap villain

Howman’s career began in the late 1960s. He gained early television experience in series such as Blake’s 7, The Sweeney (episode “May”), and Minder (episode “All About Scoring, Innit?”). However, it was his role as the roguish painter-decorator Jacko in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes (1986–1991) that made him a household name. He later starred as the title character in the sitcom Mulberry (1992–1993).

In a significant career move, he joined the cast of EastEnders in 2014, playing Buster Briggs, the long-lost father of Shirley Carter. His character was a central figure in the Square for two years, leaving in 2016 after his storylines with Shirley Carter and Kathy Sullivan concluded.

His film work includes a role in the classic British gangster film The Long Good Friday (1980), as well as Bad Boys (1995), Babes in the Wood (1998), and the romantic comedy The Truth About Love (2005).

Howman the author and speaker

The most significant recent shift in Howman’s career is his move into writing and public speaking. He co-authored Secret Spitfires with Ethem Cetintas and Gavin Clarke, which was published in hardback in 2021 and went to paperback in 2022. He also co-directed its film adaptation.

His second book, A Million Ways to Stay on the Run, co-written with undercover journalist Donal Macintyre, became a Sunday Times bestseller in early 2023. As a result of this success, Howman is now active as a corporate speaker, available for engagements through agencies like Champions Speakers.

What Is Karl Howman’s Net Worth?

This is a common question with a simple answer: there is no publicly available, verified figure for Karl Howman’s net worth. Like many British actors who do not have high-profile Hollywood careers, his personal finances are not a matter of public record. Any number found in articles or on celebrity net worth websites is entirely speculative and should not be considered reliable.

Karl Howman: A Career Timeline

1. 1953: Born in Woolwich, London.
2. 1980: Appears in the film The Long Good Friday.
3. 1986–1991: Stars as Jacko in the BBC sitcom Brush Strokes.
4. 1992–1993: Plays the title role in the BBC sitcom Mulberry.
5. 2014–2016: Plays Buster Briggs in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. His final episode airs on 23 September 2016.
6. 2021: Publishes his first book, Secret Spitfires.
7. 2023: Co-authors A Million Ways to Stay on the Run, which becomes a Sunday Times bestseller.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Karl Howman?

Why the Interest in Karl Howman Now?

The surge in online searches for Karl Howman often reflects a mix of nostalgia and concern. For viewers who grew up watching him in Brush Strokes or saw him in EastEnders, his absence from regular television leads to questions about his wellbeing and what he is doing now. The lack of a single, up-to-date online resource consolidating his personal and professional life creates a gap that this article aims to fill with verified facts.

What the Sources Say About Karl Howman

“Karl Howman is an English writer, actor and director.”

Wikipedia

“British film and television actor Karl Howman is well known to many audience members for his work with the legendary comedy writing duo John Esmonde and Bob Larbey.”

Champions Speakers

Summary: A Life Away from the Spotlight

Karl Howman remains a respected figure in British entertainment, known for his defining comic and dramatic roles. While he has stepped back from the regular acting circuit, he has successfully launched a second career as an author and speaker. For those interested in his work, his books and public appearances represent his main outlets. For updates on his EastEnders co-stars, you might find these profiles of interest: Jac Jossa – Biography, Split, Kids, and EastEnders Return and Natalie Cassidy – Biography, Age, Family and Career Facts. His personal life remains private, but the available evidence confirms he is alive, well, and still married after nearly five decades.

Frequently Asked Questions