C. Thomas Howell
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Christopher Thomas Howell (born December 7, 1966), usually credited as C. Thomas Howell, is an American actor and film director. He starred in the films The Outsiders as Ponyboy Curtis and in The Hitcher as Jim Halsey. He has appeared in Soul Man, Red Dawn, Secret Admirer, Gettysburg, H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, The Day the Earth Stopped and Gods and Generals. Howell was born in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles to Christopher N. and Candice Howell. He has three siblings. His father worked as a stunt coordinator and rodeo performer. He played the role of the Red Knight in Terry Gilliam’s The Fisher King. As a young boy, Howell wanted to be a stuntman and was a child stunt performer. He was also a rodeo star. When Howell was young, his parents divorced. Howell graduated from Saugus High School in 1984. In 1982, Howell made his film debut as Tyler in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. At the age of 15 in 1981, Howell was cast in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders (1983). Howell played the lead role of Ponyboy Curtis, "the soulful tagalong greaser through whose eyes we see the events of the 1960s-set film unfold." Based on S.E. Hinton's bestselling 1967 novel of the same name,the coming-of-age film went on to become a cult classic. Howell's portrayal of Ponyboy was his breakthrough role, and it earned him a Young Artist Award. In 1984, Howell and his Outsiders co-star Patrick Swayze reunited for Grandview, U.S.A. and Red Dawn. Howell also had a pivotal role in Tank (1984). In 1985, he starred in Secret Admirer. After filming The Outsiders, Howell co-starred in his own television series Two Marriages, which ended after four episodes, but letters of support got it back on air. He later expressed disappointment in the series. Howell was one of two final actors in the running for the lead role of Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985); the other was Eric Stoltz. Ultimately, Michael J. Fox was cast as Marty after Stoltz was deemed wrong for the part. In 1986, Howell was a hitchhiker's target in the film The Hitcher. He also starred in the sequel, which was released in 2003. In 1986, Howell starred in Soul Man, a film in which Howell appears in Blackface. Rounding out the 1980s , Howell played the young Arturo Toscanini in Franco Zeffirelli's 1988 film Young Toscanini.
Known for
Credits
The Amazing Spider-Man (2012)
as Jack's Father
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
as Tyler
The Outsiders (1983)
as Ponyboy Curtis
One Mile: Chapter One (2026)
as Stanley Dixon
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love (2009)
as Alumnus Guy #2
The Hitcher (1986)
as Jim Halsey
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013)
as Professor Zoom / Thawne (voice)
Red Dawn (1984)
as Robert
Gettysburg (1993)
as Lieut. Thomas D. Chamberlain
Hidalgo (2004)
as Preston Webb
One Mile: Chapter Two (2026)
as Stanley Dixon
Old Dads (2023)
as Ed Cameron
Secret Admirer (1985)
as Michael Ryan
Reagan (2024)
as Caspar Weinberger
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018)
as Zoom (voice)
The Poseidon Adventure (2005)
as Doctor Ballard
Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015)
as Dr. Will Magnus (voice)
Soul Man (1986)
as Mark Watson
The Return of the Musketeers (1989)
as Raoul
Gods and Generals (2003)
as Sgt. Thomas Chamberlain
Woodlawn (2015)
as George 'Shorty' White
Payback (1995)
as Oscar Bonsetter
The Sweeper (1996)
as Mark Goddard
Camel Spiders (2011)
as Sheriff Beaumont
Dead Fire (1997)
as Tucker
Tank (1984)
as Billy
Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)
as Tim Pearson
That Night (1992)
as Rick
LBJ (2017)
as Walter Jenkins
Category 5 (2014)
as Charlie DuPuis
A Killer Within (2004)
as Addison Terrill
Cross (2011)
as Jake
Where the Wind Blows (2025)
as Nathan
Side Out (1990)
as Monroe Clark
Beast Mode (2020)
as Breen Nash
Dauntless: The Battle of Midway (2019)
as Captain Miles Browning
Toxic (2008)
as LIttle Joe
A Question of Faith (2017)
as John Danielson
Hot Boyz (2000)
as Officer Roberts
Magic Hour (2015)
as Tom Worthy
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave (2008)
as George Herbert
Last Lives (1997)
as Aaron
I Am Patrick Swayze (2019)
as Self
Big Game (2008)
as Sully
Storm Rider (2013)
as Mitch Fielding
The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting (2003)
as Jim Halsey
Rivers 9 (2015)
as Sheriff Quentin
The Lost Angel (2005)
as Kuratha
Home Invasion (2012)
as Ray
Glass Trap (2005)
as Curtis
Killer Bees (2002)
as Sheriff Lyndon Harris
Fatal Affair (1999)
as Malcolm 'Mack' Maddox
Ride (2024)
as John Hawkins
The Shepherd (1998)
as Boris Dakota
Attack of the Killer Donuts (2016)
as Officer Roberts
Chilly Christmas (2012)
as Patrick Cole
The Big Fall (1997)
as Blaise Rybeck
The Land That Time Forgot (2009)
as Frost Michaels
Net Games (2003)
as Adam Vance
H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds (2005)
as George Herbert
The Grind (2009)
as Luke
Fighting Words (2006)
as David Settles
Ordinary Miracles (2005)
as Jim Powell
An Amish Murder (2013)
as Nathan Detrick
A Tiger's Tale (1988)
as Bubber Drumm
Kid (1990)
as Kid
Nickel & Dime (1992)
as Jack Stone
Urban Country (2018)
as Jim Craft
Pure Danger (1996)
as Johnie Dean
Hoboken Hollow (2006)
as Clayton Connelly
Natural Selection (1994)
as Ben Braden / Alex Connelly
My B.F.F. (2016)
as Ben Wilkins
Crimson Force (2005)
as Capt. Baskin
Far Out Man (1990)
as Himself
Cold Ones (2007)
as K.C. Corcoran
Asylum Days (2001)
as Nathan Devine
Askari (2001)
as Joss Mckinley
The Million Dollar Kid (2000)
as Valentino
Wedding Day (2012)
as Russ
Dilemma (1997)
as Thomas 'Quin' Quinlan
Acting on Impulse (1993)
as Paul Stevens
Dangerous Indiscretion (1995)
as Jim Lomax
Sleeping Dogs (1997)
as Sanchez Boon
Breaking the Rules (1992)
as Gene Michaels
The 'E.T.' Journals (2012)
as Self
Dirty Dealing (2018)
as Carter
Jailbait (1993)
as Sergeant Lee Teffler
Teresa's Tattoo (1994)
as Carl
Staying Gold: A Look Back at 'The Outsiders' (2005)
as Self
Red Team (1999)
as J.B. Gaines
The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam (2005)
as Coach Fielding
A Magic Christmas (2014)
as Jack Carter
The Da Vinci Treasure (2006)
as Michael Archer
Hitman's Run (1999)
as Tom Holly
The Hillside Strangler (2004)
as Kenneth Bianchi
The Terror Experiment (2010)
as Chief Grasso
Spirit Riders (2015)
as Keith
Advance & Retreat (2016)
as Nathan Shapiro
Christmas Belle (2013)
as Rex Everhart
A Gunfighter's Pledge (2008)
as Horn
MoniKa (2012)
as Double
Don't Pass Me By (2013)
as Jack
Blood Lust (2016)
as Ryan
Deadman Standing (2018)
as The Stranger
Treacherous (1993)
as Micky Stewert
Rescuing Madison (2014)
as Rad
Dreadtown: The Steel Pulse Story (—)
as Self
Into the Homeland (1987)
as Tripp Wilson
Confessions of a Womanizer (2014)
as Tony
The Prince and the Surfer (1999)
as Dean
Shifting Gears (2018)
as Jenkins
Bigfoot Wars (2014)
as Zeke
Disconnected (2017)
as Robert Crawford
Tattle Tale (1993)
as Bernard Sprat
The Eyes of the Panther (1989)
as Jenner Brading
Baby Face Nelson (1996)
as Baby Face Nelson
Enemy Action (1999)
as John Reed
The Day the Earth Stopped (2008)
as Josh Myron
The Thirst: Blood War (2008)
as Jed
Secret at Arrow Lake (2009)
Actor
Escape from Alaska (1999)
as Jack
Rich Boy, Rich Girl (2018)
as Blake
Lazarus Rising (2015)
as Silent Cal
Night of the Wolf (2002)
as Sheriff Wade Messer
Restitution (2011)
as John Youngstown
The Jailhouse (2009)
as Seth Delray
Laws of Deception (1997)
as Evan Marino
Lost on Purpose (2013)
as Delbert Furgeson
Xenophobia (2008)
as Stone
Separate Ways (2001)
as Tom Milton
Young Toscanini (1988)
as Arturo Toscanini
Matter of Trust (1998)
as Michael D'Angelo
Suspect Device (1995)
as Dan Jericho
Burning Down the House (2001)
as Concierge
To Protect and Serve (1992)
as Egan
Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1995)
as Mike
Crimson Point (2022)
as Frank
Zolar (2004)
as Hedion
Charades (1998)
as Evan
WillFull (2002)
as Nat Wolff
House of Fallen (2008)
as Thomas
Borrowed Moments (2015)
as Jack
Curiosity Kills (1990)
as Cat Thomas
A Christmas Eve Miracle (2015)
as Jack Carter
The Shadow People (2017)
as Kaine
Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood! (2010)
as David
Hourglass (1997)
as Michael Jardine
The Haunting of Marsten Manor (2007)
as Captain Williams
The Wrong Path (2021)
as Dr. Eric Peselowe
Nursie (2004)
as Zack
The Open Door (2024)
as Mr. Sapp
Cupid's Arrow (2010)
as Professor Grimes
Lawless: Dead Evidence (2001)
as Dean Riley
Sealed with a Kiss (1998)
as Detective Mick Cullen
Fruits De Mer (2014)
Actor
The Hitcher: How Do These Movies Get Made? (2003)
Actor
XCU: Extreme Close Up (2001)
as Geoffrey Liddy
Control (2019)
as Control (voice)
Cybermaster: Shepherd II (1999)
as Dakota
Mac Daddy's Vegas Adventure (2017)
Actor
Escape (2012)
as Paul Jordan
Because We're Family (2022)
as Peter
Detroit Under S.T.R.E.S.S. (2018)
as Narrator
The Rack Pack (2018)
as Ted
The Greatest Actress in the World (—)
Actor