Overview

Date Of Birth: 5 May 1957

Real Name: Peter Howitt

Height: 5'10" (178 cm)

Born: Manchester, Lancashire, England

Occupations: Actor, film director and comedian

Notable role: Joey Boswell in Bread (1986–1988)

Peter Howitt
Mini Bio
Peter Howitt

Peter Howitt is a British actor, director and writer whose career became familiar to television audiences in the 1980s and expanded into cinema during the 1990s and beyond. Born in 1957, he trained at the Drama Studio London in the mid-1970s and began to establish himself on British television throughout the 1980s, most recognisably as Joey Boswell in the long‑running BBC comedy Bread. The series helped cement Howitt as a reliable television presence, capable of both warmth and sharp timing. His early screen work also included appearances in schools drama How We Used To Live and other contemporary TV projects, building a foundation that would inform his later shift into directing and screenwriting. By the late 1990s his career had broadened into feature film, where he achieved notable critical attention for Sliding Doors, marking his successful transition from actor to filmmaker with a distinct, commercially successful voice.

... Peter Howitt’s career began in earnest on British television after training at the Drama Studio London in 1976. He emerged in the mid‑1980s as part of bread‑and‑butter British comedy and drama, most memorably portraying Joey Boswell in Bread (1986–1988), a role that established him as a recognisable face across UK screens. He also contributed to educational and regional television in the early 1980s, with credits such as How We Used To Live. Howitt’s breakthrough as a director arrived with Sliding Doors (1998), a sharply observed comedy‑drama that showcased his ability to blend humour with human insight and helped launch a parallel career behind the camera. Over the years he has balanced acting with directing and writing, leaving a measurable imprint on British cinema and television and earning a reputation for practical versatility and a knack for commercially successful, character‑driven storytelling. Then & Now The 1980s During the 1980s, Peter Howitt established a significant presence in the entertainment industry. Building on early successes, they took on memorable roles that helped define the era's popular culture and cemented their status as a recognizable talent. Now (2026) Today, Peter Howitt's legacy from the 1980s continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide. Their contributions to film and television during that pivotal decade remain an important part of entertainment history, influencing subsequent generations of performers. Career timeline 1957 Born in Manchester, England. 1976 Studied at the Drama Studio London. 1984–1985 Appeared in How We Used To Live (educational TV series). 1986–1988 Starred as Joey Boswell in Bread; became a familiar TV face in Britain. 1993 Appeared in In the Name of the Father (film) as Remand Prison Officer. 1998 Wrote and directed Sliding Doors, marking a breakthrough as a filmmaker. 2001 Directed Antitrust (and wrote/produced) as part of expanding film career. 2003 Appeared in Johnny English (acting credit) while continuing directing work. 2007 Guest appearances and continued work in television and film projects. 2013 Rogue (TV) and other projects reflected continued screen presence. 2018–present Continued work as director/writer and contributor to British cinema. Public reference sources Public biography and credit reference.Peter Howitt (actor) - Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.Antitrust (film) - Wikipedia Public biography and credit reference.Antitrust - Wikiquote Biographical and credit details were checked against Peter Howitt (actor) - Wikipedia, Antitrust (film) - Wikipedia, Antitrust - Wikiquote, Sliding Doors - Wikipedia, Bread (TV series) - Wikipedia.


Filmography
In the Name of the FatherFilm: 1993Role: Remand Prison OfficerCo-stars: Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson, Pete Postlethwaite
Sliding DoorsFilm: 1998Role: Cheeky BlokeCo-stars: Gwyneth Paltrow, John Hannah, John Lynch
AntitrustFilm: 2001Role: Homeless ManCo-stars: Tim Robbins, Ryan Phillippe, Rachael Leigh Cook, Claire Forlani
Johnny EnglishFilm: 2003Role: Man at the Coronation of Pascal Sauvage/Johnny EnglishCo-stars: Rowan Atkinson, John Malkovich, Ben Miller
Laws of AttractionFilm: 2004Role: ClientCo-stars: Julianne Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Parker Posey
BreadTelevision: 1986–1988Role: Joey BoswellCo-stars: Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke
The Armstrong and Miller ShowTelevision: 2007Role: GuestCo-stars: Alexander Armstrong, Ben Miller
RogueTelevision: 2013Role: Guest (Episode: The Second Amendment)Co-stars: Thandiwe Newton, Marton Csokas
Defying GravityTelevision: 2009Role: Supporting roleCo-stars: Ron Livingston, Malik Yoba, Nicole de Boer
The LifeboatTelevision: 1994Role: GuestCo-stars: Stanley Woods, (additional cast not listed in packet)