LOS ANGELES "Empire" star Terrence Howard said his past arrests for domestic abuse allegations were a byproduct of his rough-and-tumble upbringing and "not knowing how to deal with frustration."

Howard was pressed Saturday during the Television Critics Assn. press tour on his past history of arrests and allegations of violence by his former wife, among other women. He stressed that no criminal charges have ever been filed against him. And he emphasized that he is now "married with a new wife and brand new baby. I've grown so much from anything that happened in the past."

Howard cited the spiritual author Eckhart Tolle in saying that he has sought "solutions to life's bigger problems."

"Empire" co-creator/exec producer Lee Daniels was vocal in his support of Howard. The two previously worked together on the 2013 film "Lee Daniels' The Butler."

"He is our leader, he has been front and center taking bullets for all of us," Daniels said. "I'm so proud to be working with him."

Daniels' declaration drew a round of applause from Fox execs and other associated with the show.

The off-screen behaviour of actors has come under heightened scrutiny in the wake of the mushrooming scandal of rape and drugging allegations levied against Bill Cosby by more than 20 woman during the past few months.

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Terrence Howard addresses domestic abuse allegations