Lil Rel Howery is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for his portrayal of Robert Carmichael on the NBC television series The Carmichael Show. Lil Rel Howery was born Milton Howery on December 17, 1979, in Chicago, Illinois. Lil Rel Howery attended Providence St. Mel School and graduated from Crane High School where he wrote jokes for a senior talent show. He got his name from playing basketball in high school;  people thought he looked like a shorter version of his older cousin Darrell and began calling him Lil Rel. Lil Rel started his stand-up career at the Lion’s Den on Chicago’s East Side and made his television debut on the television competition The Last Comic Standing.

Lil Rel Howery was the winner of the Best Comedic Performance in a Movie at the MTV Movie and Television Awards for his performance in the film Get Out; he was also nominated for the IMAGE Award for Best Supporting Actor. Lil Rel Howery was also crowned Bernie Mac Comedy King of the Year. Lil Rel Howery married Verina Robinson on November 24, 2008. The couple has two children and was divorced in 2017. Lil Rel Howery currently stars in the television series Rel, which he also created and co-produces.