Howard Stark in Agent Carter: Inventor, Fugitive, Friend

Howard Stark is the charming, reckless inventor whose trouble kicks off Agent Carter. Played by Dominic Cooper, he is a rich, brilliant, and often irresponsible friend of Peggy's, and his connection to the larger MCU gives him extra interest.

Who is Howard?

Howard is an inventor and industrialist, the founder of Stark Industries, and the father of Tony Stark. In the MCU films, he appears at different ages: Dominic Cooper plays the younger version in Captain America: The First Avenger and in a flashback in Iron Man 2, and John Slattery plays an older version. In the series, we meet him in the postwar years, a time when he is both celebrated and under suspicion.

The trouble that starts the story

The plot begins when dangerous inventions are stolen from Howard's collection and sold. He is blamed, and the government turns on him. Howard comes to Peggy for help, trusting her more than anyone else. That trust is the engine of Season 1.

Charm and flaws

Howard is funny, confident, and generous with his friends. He is also careless with other people's safety and loves a good party. The show lets us enjoy his charisma while still seeing the consequences of his choices. That balance makes him more than a rich-man stereotype.

His bond with Peggy

Howard and Peggy share a long friendship built during the war years. They tease each other and rely on each other, and he respects her more than many of the men around her. For Peggy's side of that relationship, see our character profile.

His bond with Jarvis

Howard's butler, Edwin Jarvis, is the person who has to clean up many of his messes. Jarvis's patience and loyalty are a recurring source of humor and warmth. For more, read our Jarvis guide.

Why Howard matters to the MCU

Howard's inventions and his company shape the technology of the franchise, and his legacy continues through his son. Seeing him as a young man adds depth to later stories, and it shows where the Stark family's mix of brilliance and flaws began.

Find the whole ensemble on our cast page.