Did Nick Fury know Howard Stark?

Yes, Nick Fury knew Howard Stark. Although their relationship was not extensively explored in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there are a few references and implications that they interacted, particularly within the context of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the early days of the Avengers initiative.

Key Points about Nick Fury and Howard Stark’s Relationship:

1. S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Early Days:

   • Howard Stark, the father of Tony Stark, was one of the founders of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division) and played a significant role in its early operations. He was also involved in the development of advanced technology, including the creation of the Tesseract, which played a key role in later MCU events.
   • Nick Fury, the longtime director of S.H.I.E.L.D., worked with Howard Stark during these formative years. It’s clear that Fury was aware of Howard’s scientific and technological expertise, as well as his contributions to the early years of S.H.I.E.L.D.

2. The First Avenger (Captain America: The First Avenger):

   • In Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), we learn that Howard Stark was involved in developing technology for Steve Rogers (Captain America) during World War II. While Nick Fury's direct involvement with Howard is not depicted in the movie, it's likely that Fury, as a future leader of S.H.I.E.L.D., would have been aware of Howard Stark’s work, especially since Howard's innovations were crucial to the formation of the organization.
   • Additionally, the film hints that Howard Stark was involved in early S.H.I.E.L.D. projects, including the development of the Howling Commandos and various weapons that were important during the war.

3. Avengers: Endgame:

   • In Avengers: Endgame (2019), Nick Fury’s knowledge of Howard Stark is confirmed. In a time-travel scene, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers travel back to the 1970s to retrieve the Tesseract and other Infinity Stones. During this time, they interact with Howard Stark, and Nick Fury is present as well (although he doesn’t have a major role in the scene).
   • The brief interaction between Fury and Howard Stark in this scene is quite casual, but it clearly establishes that Fury had a working knowledge of Howard's contributions to S.H.I.E.L.D. and had encountered him in the past.

4. S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Legacy of Howard Stark:

   • In the MCU, it’s evident that Fury inherited S.H.I.E.L.D. from those who helped establish it, including Howard Stark. Fury would have been involved in the organization during Howard Stark's later years, even if their personal relationship isn’t deeply explored.
   • In Iron Man 2 (2010), Tony Stark interacts with his father’s legacy, which includes some of his inventions. The film shows that Howard Stark’s contributions were key to the development of the S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, which Fury would have overseen, suggesting their paths crossed in the broader context of their work.

Conclusion:

While there isn’t much in-depth exploration of their relationship in the MCU, it’s clear that Nick Fury knew Howard Stark. Their interactions likely stemmed from their shared involvement with S.H.I.E.L.D., particularly in the early days when Howard Stark was actively helping to establish the organization. In the Avengers films, particularly Endgame, it’s implied that Fury was aware of and worked alongside Howard Stark in some capacity, though their personal relationship remains largely off-screen.