Steven Michael Robert Howey (born July 12, 1977) is an American actor. He was previously best known for his roles as Van Montgomery on The WB/The CW sitcom television series Reba and Kevin Ball on the Showtime series Shameless. From 2025 to 2026, he played Captain Nick Wagner on the ABC series High Potential. Howey has also appeared in the films Supercross, DOA: Dead or Alive, Bride Wars, Game Over, Man!, Day Shift and Something Borrowed.

Early life and education Howey was born in San Antonio, Texas. He has Scottish ancestry. He attended Crescenta Valley High School in La Crescenta, CA before graduating from Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, CO and attended Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, for two years on a basketball scholarship. He later attended his father's acting workshop where he decided to become an actor.

Career Howey has guest-starred on various TV shows including ER, The Drew Carey Show, and Psych . He also starred in and produced the independent film Class (1998), which was written and directed by his father, Bill Howey, and was accepted into the Denver International Film Festival.

In 2001, Howey got his first starring role in a series when he was cast as Van Montgomery in the show Reba. Howey stayed with the show until it ended in 2007. He also appeared in Reba McEntire's music video "Every Other Weekend" with his Reba co-star Joanna García.

In 2005, he starred in the action film Supercross as K.C. Carlyle, an MX racer. Howey also played Weatherby in the movie DOA: Dead or Alive, alongside Jaime Pressly and Eric Roberts.Sources in article "DOA: Dead or Alive". In 2009, he starred in Bride Wars, with Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson (with whom he also starred in the 2011 movie Something Borrowed, once again as her love interest). Howey also portrayed the title role in the 2009 film, Stan Helsing. That same year, Howey also appeared in the web series CTRL playing Ben Piller. He has also appeared on the show Psych" episode "Thrill Seekers and Hell Raisers" as the character Derek Walker, a villainous river rafting guide and murderer.

In summer 2010, Howey joined the cast of the Showtime dramedy Shameless, as Kevin Ball, a series regular. Season 2 premiered January 8, 2012, with Howey remaining a main cast member. He then continued to play character Kevin Ball through the end of the show.

In 2013, Howey guest starred on an episode of Fox's New Girl entitled "TinFinity" as Jax, a professional football player and love interest of Jess (Zooey Deschanel).

In 2017, he guest-starred on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in the episode "Intent" as Andy "The Monster" McPherson.

In 2024, he guest-starred on Happy's Place in the episode "Ho-Ho-Howey" as Danny (reuniting with McEntire and Melissa Peterman).

In 2026, he appeared as Garrett Graham's father and hockey star, Phil Graham, in the Amazon Prime series, Off Campus.

Personal life Howey was married to actress and model Sarah Shahi.Metz, Nina (November 29, 2017). "'Shameless' star Steve Howey on his evolution as an actor". Chicago Tribune. The two became engaged in June 2007, while vacationing in Hawaii and married on February 7, 2009, in Las Vegas. In July 2009, they had their first child, a son. Shahi had an at-home water birth. In March 2015, Shahi home birthed their twins, a daughter and son. Howey and Shahi filed for divorce in May 2020. Their divorce was finalized in January 2021.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes Ref.1998ClassJimAlso co-producer2005SupercrossK.C. Carlyle2006DOA: Dead or AliveWeatherby2009Bride WarsDaniel WilliamsStill Waiting...AgnewDirect-to-video filmStan HelsingStan Helsing2011ConceptionJoelLosing ControlTerrySomething BorrowedMarcus2012Monster RollBrodyShort film2013Wrong CopsSandy / Michael2014In Your EyesBo Soames2015See You in ValhallaMakewi2016Love on the RunRickUnleashedSam / Summit2018Game Over, Man!Rich Making Babies John Kelly 2019 Stuber Felix 2022 Day Shift Mike Nazarian

Television Year Title Role Notes Ref.1999Pacific BlueMark KerwinEpisode: "Silicone Valley of the Dolls"1999–2000Totally Tooned InNarratorUnknown episodes2000Get RealChris DeFalcoEpisode: "Falling from Grace"ERQuarterback ElizeyEpisode: "Homecoming"StudentEpisode: "Be Drew to Your School"2001Any Day NowTroyEpisode: "Everyone Deserves to be Loved"2001–2007RebaVan MontgomeryMain role; 125 episodes2006TwinsZackEpisode: "Blast from the Past"2007Ty Troop Television film2008Five Year PlanMickey2009Surviving SuburbiaBrockEpisode: "Three End Tables"CtrlBen PillerMain role; 10 episodes2010State of RomanceMikeEpisode: "Pilot"PsychDerekEpisode: "Thrill Seekers and Hell Raisers"2011Love BitesKellEpisode: "Firsts"2011–2021ShamelessKevin BallMain role; 134 episodes2013New GirlJax McTavishEpisode: "Tinfinity"Sons of AnarchyHopperRecurring role; 3 episodes (season 6)2014Jennifer FallsFrankEpisode: "The Virginity Thief"Where's This Party?Marco SantiniTelevision film2015WorkaholicsBlue Knight DeMampEpisode: "Gramps DeMamp Is Dead"2017Blue & GreenMichiga'nTelevision filmLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitAndy "Monster" McPhersonEpisode: "Intent"2018SEAL TeamDanny CooperRecurring role; 3 episodes (season 1)2019Dead to MeJasonEpisode: "I've Gotta Get Away"2023True LiesHarry TaskerMain role; 13 episodes2024Brilliant MindsWyatt JamesEpisode: "The Lost Biker"Happy's PlaceDannyEpisode: "Ho-Ho-Howey"2025–2026High Potential Nick WagnerMain role; 11 episodes (season 2) 2026Off CampusPhil GrahamRecurring role; 4 episodes Ransom CanyonLeviEpisode: "That Leaves Two"

References

External links

Steve Howey at the Country Music Television