Howard Dwaine Dorough - known as "Howie D" to friends and fans - was born on August 22, 1973, in Orlando, Florida. The youngest of five, Howie has been a performer on some level for most of his life. He credits his sister Pollyanna, who used to take him along to see musicals at local theaters, with inspiring him to be an entertainer.
Howie went on to appear in community productions of musicals such as "The Sound of Music", "Camelot" and "Showboat". As an actor, he has appeared in a commercial for Walt Disney World, starred in the pilot of a Nickelodeon TV series called "Welcome Home," and has had small roles in the Hollywood films "Parenthood" and "Cop and a half."
Singing and dancing, however, have proven to be his biggest calling cards. Long before the Backstreet Boys became a worldwide success, Howie and A.J. McLean had the same vocal coach and kept running into each other at local theater and TV show auditions.
They were the instigators for the formation of the now-famous five-man group. With his superb falsettos and professional dance training, Howie has been an integral part of the Backstreet Boys' success. Perhaps more importantly, it was Howie's idea to record two of the group's earliest songs - "Anywhere For You" and "I'll Never Break Your Heart" - in Spanish. That seemingly simple decision helped make the Backstreet Boys enormously popular in many Spanish-speaking countries.

Cool facts!

* Howie auditioned under the stage name of Tony Donetti - but didn't get called back straight away because the management lost his address! Six months later, it resurfaced and he got the job.
* Howie's best habit is that he's good at being on time.
* His worst habit is that he takes too long to pick out clothes.
* Once Howie fell off the stage during one of BSB's shows!
* Howie is calm, level-headed and mellow.
* He loves the part of the BSB's show where they all sing "a cappella."
* Love Quote: When I know I really like a girl, I immediately introduce her to my family, and I start looking forward to meeting her family. I think families are so important, and I don't think it's ever too early to get to know everyone."
* Howie's fave school subject was Math!
* Howie's favourite times are quiet hours spent at home. A home-cooked meal, candles and some quiet conversation will make him completely happy.
* Howie is extremely romantic - totally into wooing a girl with flowers and serenades, or cooking a special dinner for two. " I love girls, and I love showing them affection," he says. " I don't think there's anything corny about romance. I think it's beautiful."
* Howie always takes his fave pyjamas away on tour with him. " They're Oriental Silk and I love them!"
* If things get heated on tour, it's Howie who smooths thing over and gets the boys focused on the job at hand. AJ calls him "Mr Mediator!"
* According to the boys, Howie always takes the longest time in the bathroom and is always the last one off the tour bus! "He's a visual perfectionist," smiles AJ." But I'm glad we don't share a room when we're travelling - I'd hate to have to fight him for the mirror!"
* When they're on the road, it's Howie who notches up the biggest phone bill 'cos he's got a family of five to keep in touch with! He calls home every day and reminds the other guys to keep in touch with home too!
* Howie tries to stay in shape while out on the road, so as well as cavorting around on stage, he does push-ups and stomach-crunches every night.
* Howie often loses his luggage on tour!
* He is happiest when on stage performing. " It feels like I belong there," he says.
* When he's away, Howie really misses his family and his Mom's home cooking! He likes the spicy Puerto Rican food she cooks.
* Past jobs he has done are working at Zaro's Bread Basket in New York, and at Universal Studios as a tour guide.
* Howie enjoys girls who are quiet, shy, career-minded and easy to talk to.
* Howie has a secret ( or maybe not-so-secret now!) fear of clowns!

Howie's Favourite:

Food: Pancakes, Oriental, Puerto Rican.
Snack: Oreo cookie ice cream.
Drink: Sprite.
Actor: Tom Hanks.
Actress: Demi Moore.
Fragrance/Cologne: Cool Water or CK One.
Colour: Purple.
Music: Jon Secada, Bobby Brown, Al B. Sure, All-4-One, Boyz 2 Men.
Movies: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Parenthood.
TV Shows: America's Funniest Home Videos.
Book: He likes to read Mysteries.