C. Thomas Howell

C. Thomas Howell

Acting
Born 1966-12-07Los Angeles, California, USA

Biography

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.

Movies (169)

The Amazing Spider-Man
6.8

The Amazing Spider-Man

2012Movie6.8
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
7.5

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

1982Movie7.5
One Mile: Chapter One
6.8

One Mile: Chapter One

2026Movie6.8
The Outsiders
7.2

The Outsiders

1983Movie7.2
Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay
7.1

Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay

2018Movie7.1
The Hitcher
6.9

The Hitcher

1986Movie6.9
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
7.9

Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox

2013Movie7.9
Old Dads
6.2

Old Dads

2023Movie6.2
Red Dawn
6.3

Red Dawn

1984Movie6.3
American Pie Presents: The Book of Love
5.3

American Pie Presents: The Book of Love

2009Movie5.3
Hidalgo
6.9

Hidalgo

2004Movie6.9
One Mile: Chapter Two
6.7

One Mile: Chapter Two

2026Movie6.7
Gettysburg
7.0

Gettysburg

1993Movie7.0
Gods and Generals
6.4

Gods and Generals

2003Movie6.4
Soul Man
5.3

Soul Man

1986Movie5.3
Secret Admirer
6.7

Secret Admirer

1985Movie6.7
Reagan
6.4

Reagan

2024Movie6.4
Hitman's Run
4.9

Hitman's Run

1999Movie4.9
The Poseidon Adventure
5.2

The Poseidon Adventure

2005Movie5.2
Michael Jackson's Black or White
10.0

Michael Jackson's Black or White

1991Movie10.0
Curiosity Kills
5.4

Curiosity Kills

1990Movie5.4
Justice League: Gods and Monsters
7.1

Justice League: Gods and Monsters

2015Movie7.1
Spirit Riders
6.1

Spirit Riders

2015Movie6.1
Dirty Dealing
3.3

Dirty Dealing

2018Movie3.3
Hourglass
4.9

Hourglass

1997Movie4.9
A Question of Faith
7.5

A Question of Faith

2017Movie7.5
A Killer Within
5.0

A Killer Within

2004Movie5.0
The Terror Experiment
4.1

The Terror Experiment

2010Movie4.1
Home Invasion
6.2

Home Invasion

2012Movie6.2
The Return of the Musketeers
6.2

The Return of the Musketeers

1989Movie6.2
That Night
6.4

That Night

1992Movie6.4
Tank
5.7

Tank

1984Movie5.7
Natural Selection
5.7

Natural Selection

1994Movie5.7
LBJ
6.4

LBJ

2017Movie6.4
The Land That Time Forgot
3.7

The Land That Time Forgot

2009Movie3.7
Ordinary Miracles
6.5

Ordinary Miracles

2005Movie6.5
The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting
4.7

The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting

2003Movie4.7
Urban Country
6.4

Urban Country

2018Movie6.4
Cross
4.1

Cross

2011Movie4.1
Category 5
5.5

Category 5

2014Movie5.5
Grandview, U.S.A.
5.8

Grandview, U.S.A.

1984Movie5.8
Woodlawn
6.9

Woodlawn

2015Movie6.9
Side Out
5.3

Side Out

1990Movie5.3
Acting on Impulse
4.8

Acting on Impulse

1993Movie4.8
Restitution
3.5

Restitution

2011Movie3.5
Hoboken Hollow
3.8

Hoboken Hollow

2006Movie3.8
The Shadow People
4.4

The Shadow People

2017Movie4.4
Confessions of a Womanizer
2.9

Confessions of a Womanizer

2014Movie2.9
Nickel & Dime
6.0

Nickel & Dime

1992Movie6.0
Chilly Christmas
4.7

Chilly Christmas

2012Movie4.7
The Sweeper
4.5

The Sweeper

1996Movie4.5
The Greatest Actress in the World

The Greatest Actress in the World

Movie
War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave
3.6

War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave

2008Movie3.6
Magic Hour
4.0

Magic Hour

2015Movie4.0
Dangerous Indiscretion
3.7

Dangerous Indiscretion

1995Movie3.7
The Big Fall
6.3

The Big Fall

1997Movie6.3
Where the Wind Blows
8.0

Where the Wind Blows

2025Movie8.0
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
4.0

Mad Dogs and Englishmen

1995Movie4.0
The Hillside Strangler
5.1

The Hillside Strangler

2004Movie5.1
Escape
4.7

Escape

2012Movie4.7
H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds
5.2

H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds

2005Movie5.2
Killer Bees
3.9

Killer Bees

2002Movie3.9
Attack of the Killer Donuts
4.1

Attack of the Killer Donuts

2016Movie4.1
Toxic
4.2

Toxic

2008Movie4.2
Suspect Device
6.8

Suspect Device

1995Movie6.8
Dauntless: The Battle of Midway
4.3

Dauntless: The Battle of Midway

2019Movie4.3
The Million Dollar Kid
3.4

The Million Dollar Kid

2000Movie3.4
I Am Patrick Swayze
7.0

I Am Patrick Swayze

2019Movie7.0
An Amish Murder
5.8

An Amish Murder

2013Movie5.8
Teresa's Tattoo
4.9

Teresa's Tattoo

1994Movie4.9
Payback
4.8

Payback

1995Movie4.8
Hot Boyz
4.9

Hot Boyz

2000Movie4.9
Camel Spiders
4.3

Camel Spiders

2011Movie4.3
Kid
6.0

Kid

1990Movie6.0
The Grind
3.2

The Grind

2009Movie3.2
Deadman Standing
5.5

Deadman Standing

2018Movie5.5
Ride
7.1

Ride

2024Movie7.1
Dreadtown: The Steel Pulse Story

Dreadtown: The Steel Pulse Story

Movie
A Christmas Eve Miracle
4.3

A Christmas Eve Miracle

2015Movie4.3
The Prince and the Surfer
4.0

The Prince and the Surfer

1999Movie4.0
The Sin Seer
4.1

The Sin Seer

2015Movie4.1
Big Game
3.9

Big Game

2008Movie3.9
Baby Face Nelson
6.8

Baby Face Nelson

1996Movie6.8
Christmas Belle
5.7

Christmas Belle

2013Movie5.7
Rescuing Madison
5.9

Rescuing Madison

2014Movie5.9
Cold Ones
6.7

Cold Ones

2007Movie6.7
The Open Door

The Open Door

2024Movie
The Day the Earth Stopped
3.5

The Day the Earth Stopped

2008Movie3.5
Lazarus Rising
3.0

Lazarus Rising

2015Movie3.0
Borrowed Moments
3.4

Borrowed Moments

2015Movie3.4
Young Toscanini
6.7

Young Toscanini

1988Movie6.7
Breaking the Rules
5.3

Breaking the Rules

1992Movie5.3
Crimson Force
4.6

Crimson Force

2005Movie4.6
The 'E.T.' Journals
10.0

The 'E.T.' Journals

2012Movie10.0
The Rack Pack
3.7

The Rack Pack

2018Movie3.7
Far Out Man
5.5

Far Out Man

1990Movie5.5
Wedding Day
4.0

Wedding Day

2012Movie4.0
MoniKa
5.9

MoniKa

2012Movie5.9
A Gunfighter's Pledge
5.2

A Gunfighter's Pledge

2008Movie5.2
The Da Vinci Treasure
2.6

The Da Vinci Treasure

2006Movie2.6
Rich Boy, Rich Girl
5.8

Rich Boy, Rich Girl

2018Movie5.8
The Lost Angel
4.1

The Lost Angel

2005Movie4.1
Into the Homeland
6.6

Into the Homeland

1987Movie6.6
Net Games
4.9

Net Games

2003Movie4.9
Escape from Alaska
4.7

Escape from Alaska

1999Movie4.7
The Horseman

The Horseman

Movie
House of Fallen
3.1

House of Fallen

2008Movie3.1
Staying Gold: A Look Back at 'The Outsiders'
9.0

Staying Gold: A Look Back at 'The Outsiders'

2005Movie9.0
Dead Fire
4.3

Dead Fire

1997Movie4.3
Rivers 9
5.1

Rivers 9

2015Movie5.1
Fatal Affair
7.3

Fatal Affair

1999Movie7.3
A Magic Christmas
4.8

A Magic Christmas

2014Movie4.8
Glass Trap
3.8

Glass Trap

2005Movie3.8
Beast Mode
5.6

Beast Mode

2020Movie5.6
Last Lives
4.3

Last Lives

1997Movie4.3
Storm Rider
6.5

Storm Rider

2013Movie6.5
Sleeping Dogs
4.6

Sleeping Dogs

1997Movie4.6
Charades
4.2

Charades

1998Movie4.2
Jailbait
3.2

Jailbait

1993Movie3.2
Nursie
4.8

Nursie

2004Movie4.8
Crimson Point

Crimson Point

2022Movie
A Tiger's Tale
4.5

A Tiger's Tale

1988Movie4.5
The Eyes of the Panther

The Eyes of the Panther

1989Movie
Shifting Gears
6.5

Shifting Gears

2018Movie6.5
WillFull
7.3

WillFull

2002Movie7.3
Laws of Deception
4.0

Laws of Deception

1997Movie4.0
Pure Danger
4.2

Pure Danger

1996Movie4.2
Dilemma
3.9

Dilemma

1997Movie3.9
Cupid's Arrow
5.5

Cupid's Arrow

2010Movie5.5
Secret at Arrow Lake
7.3

Secret at Arrow Lake

2009Movie7.3
The Shepherd
3.6

The Shepherd

1998Movie3.6
Bigfoot Wars
4.0

Bigfoot Wars

2014Movie4.0
Night of the Wolf
5.2

Night of the Wolf

2002Movie5.2
Advance & Retreat
6.3

Advance & Retreat

2016Movie6.3
The Jailhouse
4.0

The Jailhouse

2009Movie4.0
Blood Lust
4.3

Blood Lust

2016Movie4.3
Matter of Trust
4.0

Matter of Trust

1998Movie4.0
Askari
7.0

Askari

2001Movie7.0
Lost on Purpose
4.3

Lost on Purpose

2013Movie4.3
Enemy Action
4.7

Enemy Action

1999Movie4.7
The Thirst: Blood War
3.6

The Thirst: Blood War

2008Movie3.6
XCU: Extreme Close Up
4.7

XCU: Extreme Close Up

2001Movie4.7
Cybermaster: Shepherd II
10.0

Cybermaster: Shepherd II

1999Movie10.0
Separate Ways
3.8

Separate Ways

2001Movie3.8
Treacherous
6.9

Treacherous

1993Movie6.9
Detroit Under S.T.R.E.S.S.

Detroit Under S.T.R.E.S.S.

2018Movie
Burning Down the House
8.5

Burning Down the House

2001Movie8.5
Fighting Words
8.0

Fighting Words

2006Movie8.0
Asylum Days
7.8

Asylum Days

2001Movie7.8
Zolar
3.0

Zolar

2004Movie3.0
Tattle Tale
6.5

Tattle Tale

1993Movie6.5
To Protect and Serve
4.8

To Protect and Serve

1992Movie4.8
The Wrong Path
4.0

The Wrong Path

2021Movie4.0
The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam
5.4

The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam

2005Movie5.4
My B.F.F.

My B.F.F.

2016Movie
Don't Pass Me By
4.0

Don't Pass Me By

2013Movie4.0
Red Team
3.7

Red Team

1999Movie3.7
Disconnected
3.5

Disconnected

2017Movie3.5
The Haunting of Marsten Manor
2.6

The Haunting of Marsten Manor

2007Movie2.6
The Hitcher: How Do These Movies Get Made?
7.5

The Hitcher: How Do These Movies Get Made?

2003Movie7.5
Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood!
2.7

Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood!

2010Movie2.7
Lawless: Dead Evidence
6.3

Lawless: Dead Evidence

2001Movie6.3
Fruits De Mer

Fruits De Mer

2014Movie
Because We're Family
5.0

Because We're Family

2022Movie5.0
Xenophobia
8.0

Xenophobia

2008Movie8.0
The Glass Jar

The Glass Jar

1999Movie
Sealed with a Kiss
3.8

Sealed with a Kiss

1998Movie3.8
Mac Daddy's Vegas Adventure
2.0

Mac Daddy's Vegas Adventure

2017Movie2.0
Control

Control

2019Movie

TV Shows (44)

Criminal Minds
8.3

Criminal Minds

2005Series8.3
The Walking Dead
8.1

The Walking Dead

2010Series8.1
Blue Bloods
7.8

Blue Bloods

2010Series7.8
The Blacklist
7.6

The Blacklist

2013Series7.6
Hawaii Five-0
7.7

Hawaii Five-0

2010Series7.7
SEAL Team
8.0

SEAL Team

2017Series8.0
24
7.8

24

2001Series7.8
Grimm
8.3

Grimm

2011Series8.3
Castle
8.0

Castle

2009Series8.0
Psych
7.9

Psych

2006Series7.9
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.3

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003Series5.3
Sons of Anarchy
8.4

Sons of Anarchy

2008Series8.4
Marvel's The Punisher
8.2

Marvel's The Punisher

2017Series8.2
Bosch
7.9

Bosch

2015Series7.9
ER
7.8

ER

1994Series7.8
Will Trent
7.3

Will Trent

2023Series7.3
V.I.P.
5.3

V.I.P.

1998Series5.3
MacGyver
7.3

MacGyver

2016Series7.3
Sleepy Hollow
7.4

Sleepy Hollow

2013Series7.4
Moonlighting
7.5

Moonlighting

1985Series7.5
1923
8.3

1923

2022Series8.3
The Outer Limits
7.7

The Outer Limits

1995Series7.7
The Terror
7.4

The Terror

2018Series7.4
Longmire
7.7

Longmire

2012Series7.7
The District
6.9

The District

2000Series6.9
Southland
7.9

Southland

2009Series7.9
Torchwood
7.3

Torchwood

2006Series7.3
The Hitchhiker
6.3

The Hitchhiker

1983Series6.3
The Glades
7.0

The Glades

2010Series7.0
Celebrity Ghost Stories
7.3

Celebrity Ghost Stories

2009Series7.3
Obliterated
7.0

Obliterated

2023Series7.0
Creepshow
7.4

Creepshow

2019Series7.4
Alphas
6.8

Alphas

2011Series6.8
Revolution
6.4

Revolution

2012Series6.4
Twice in a Lifetime
6.2

Twice in a Lifetime

1999Series6.2
Son of the Beach
6.3

Son of the Beach

2000Series6.3
Stitchers
6.8

Stitchers

2015Series6.8
Summerland
6.5

Summerland

2004Series6.5
The Good Cop
6.2

The Good Cop

2018Series6.2
Ties That Bind
6.0

Ties That Bind

2015Series6.0
Kindred: The Embraced
7.1

Kindred: The Embraced

1996Series7.1
Amazon
7.8

Amazon

1999Series7.8
Nightmare Classics
7.3

Nightmare Classics

1989Series7.3
Celebracadabra

Celebracadabra

2008Series