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‘Empire’ star Terrence Howard shows support for Smollett

Actor Terrence Howard, who plays the father of Jussie Smollett's character on 'Empire,' expresses support for his fellow cast member on social media

FILE - In a September 23, 2017 file photo, actor Terrence Howard attends Fox's celebration of the "Empire" and "Star" television shows at One World Observatory in New York. Howard, who plays Jussie Smollett’s father on ‘Empire,’ has expressed support for his fellow cast member on social media. Smollett, who is black and gay, is charged with filing a false police report in January 2019 when he said he was attacked in Chicago by two masked men who used derogatory language and put a rope around his neck.(Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)
FILE - In a September 23, 2017 file photo, actor Terrence Howard attends Fox's celebration of the "Empire" and "Star" television shows at One World Observatory in New York. Howard, who plays Jussie Smollett’s father on ‘Empire,’ has expressed support for his fellow cast member on social media. Smollett, who is black and gay, is charged with filing a false police report in January 2019 when he said he was attacked in Chicago by two masked men who used derogatory language and put a rope around his neck.(Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP, File)Read moreAndy Kropa / Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

CHICAGO (AP) — Actor Terrence Howard, who plays the father of Jussie Smollett's character on "Empire," is expressing support on social media for his fellow cast member, who is accused of staging an attack on himself.

Howard took to Instagram on Saturday and posted a video of Smollett holding a giggling baby with the message: "All your lil homies got you."

Smollett, who is black and gay, is charged with felony disorderly conduct for allegedly filing a false police report. He's accused of staging a racist, anti-gay attack on himself last month in downtown Chicago.

Police say Smollett planned the hoax because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to promote his career. Smollett denies the allegations.

“Empire” producers said Friday that Smollett’s character will be removed from the final two episodes of this season.