C. Thomas Howell

Biography

Christopher Thomas Howell, known professionally as C. Thomas Howell, was born on December 7, 1966, in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. He is an accomplished American actor and film director, recognized for his prominent roles in several classic films. Howell gained fame for portraying Ponyboy Curtis in the iconic 1983 adaptation of S.E. Hinton’s novel, The Outsiders, a role that earned him a Young Artist Award. He also starred as Jim Halsey in the thriller The Hitcher and appeared in a variety of other films including Soul Man, Red Dawn, Gettysburg, and Gods and Generals.

Growing up in a family connected to the entertainment industry—his father was a stunt coordinator and rodeo performer—Howell initially aspired to be a stuntman and worked as a child stunt performer. After his parents' divorce, he graduated from Saugus High School in 1984. His film career began with a small role in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982, but it was his breakout performance in The Outsiders that propelled him into stardom.

Throughout the 1980s, Howell collaborated with notable actors, including co-starring with Patrick Swayze in both Grandview, U.S.A. and Red Dawn. He also had a brief stint in a television series called Two Marriages, which faced cancellation but was brought back due to viewer support. Howell’s versatility as an actor continued into the late '80s with roles in films like Soul Man and Young Toscanini.