C. Thomas Howell skyrocketed to superstardom when he portrayed Ponyboy in the Francis Ford Coppola '80s cult classic The Outsiders, becoming one of the many rising stars associated with the Brat Pack and gaining a passionate fan following. The gifted actor continued to dominate the big screen throughout the decade, landing notable roles in films like Red Dawn, Grandview, U.S.A., Secret Admirer, and The Hitcher.
His career began to slow down and his popularity started to fade in the 1990s, with Howell appearing in a slew of direct-to-video projects throughout the period that failed to reestablish his star power. After a brief lull doing low-budget flicks and a foray into directing, Howell demonstrated his range as a performer with memorable roles in popular shows like Criminal Minds, The Punisher, Sons of Anarchy, The Walking Dead, and Bosch.
Fans of the '80s heartthrob may not realize just how busy Howell has been since his breakthrough performance in The Outsiders, as he has been featured in over 200 projects since the drama’s release. Let’s take a peek at what C. Thomas Howell has been up to in recent years.
Who Is C. Thomas Howell?
C. Thomas Howell made his debut in the acting world at age 7 when he appeared in the short-lived '70s sitcom The Brian Keith Show, but it wasn't until he was cast as Tyler in Steven Spielberg's iconic sci-fi flick E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial that the up-and-coming star truly rose to prominence. The small but impactful role featured Howell as the close friend to Elliot's big brother Michael, and its unprecedented success firmly put the young actor on a spectacular career trajectory that would ultimately lead to him dominating the screens in the '80s.
Howell was cast at just 15 years old in his first lead part of Ponyboy Curtis in the beloved Francis Ford Coppola cult classic The Outsiders, an adaptation of the S.E. Hinton that touted a phenomenal cast of Hollywood big names who would quickly take the world by storm.
Massive Success in the '80s
Howell became a household name and one of the entertainment industry's most buzzed-about actors when he brilliantly portrayed the deeply-introspective protagonist Ponyboy in the 1983 coming-of-age crime drama The Outsiders. Sharing the screen with fellow future greats including Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and Rob Lowe (to name just a few), the film takes place in 1960s Tulsa and showcases the rivalry between the warring adolescent gangs the Greasers and the Socials.
The Outsiders was both a critical and commercial hit and helped establish the Brat Pack, a group of rising stars who headlined coming-of-age pictures throughout the '80s. Howell's performance was singled out as one of the drama's finest, and he went on to win a Young Artist Award for his compelling portrayal of the soulful Ponyboy; the epic role has since become synonymous with the actor.
Howell found continued success with roles in Grandview, U.S. and Red Dawn (sharing the screen once again with Swayze for both), as well as the action drama Tank and the rom-com Secret Admirer. He closed out the lucrative decade when he appeared as a demented hitchhiker's target in The Hitcher and as Italian conductor Arturo Toscanini in Young Toscanini, starring alongside Elizabeth Taylor.
Career Cool-Off
Howell's star power began to wane by the time the '90s rolled around, though he still maintained his popularity with noteworthy films such as the epic war drama Gettysburg and the crime thriller Payback. The actor then went on to appear in a string of low-budget, direct-to-video projects that failed to make a splash with audiences but nonetheless kept him busy. In the decade alone he starred in 32 movies (varying in quality and production) in addition to multiple made-for-TV films.
Outside of the big screen, Howell had guest roles in shows like The Outer Limits, The Love Boat: The Next Wave, and Dead Man's Gun, and portrayed lead protagonist Dr. Alex Kennedy in the short-lived 1999 adventure drama Amazon. Howell's luck would once again shift in the new millennium, as he would reshape his career with compelling roles in popular television programs and as both a director and star.
Directing and Other Endeavors
Howell's first directorial endeavor was with the 1996 direct-to-video Pure Danger, and he would continue to demonstrate his love for filmmaking in the coming years, helming and starring in movies such as The Big Fall, War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave, The Day the Earth Stopped, and The Land That Time Forgot. Though Howell has enjoyed showcasing his other talents in Hollywood, he has expressed his appreciation for simply showing up to set as an actor for projects: "It's a pleasure to not have to worry about directing. I find solace and relief in only focusing on acting, and not worrying about the big picture."
The seasoned performer also provided his vocal gifts, portraying Captain Cold in the fighting video game Injustice 2 and Reverse-Flash in the action-adventure game Lego DC Super-Villains. Howell subsequently embraced his musical skills when he released three standalone singles including Rose Hill and Ponygirl, the latter being a playful nod to his beloved The Outsiders role.
Renewed Success in TV & Film
Despite a great deal of career ups and downs, Howell has remained a constant presence in Tinsel Town, having appeared in over 200 projects since The Outsiders. He was downright terrifying when he starred as George Foyet, also known as The Boston Reaper in the long-running crime drama series Criminal Minds, terrorizing B.A.U. Chief Aaron Hotchner and his family for six episodes in the universally-lauded guest role.
He also nabbed memorable parts in the TV shows Southland, Sons of Anarchy, Blue Bloods, and SEAL Team, and once again showcased his villainous side as Carson Wolf in The Punisher and as Roy in The Walking Dead. Howell has shown no signs of slowing down, having most recently appeared in the horror comedy Beast Mode and as American politician Caspar Weinberger in the upcoming biographical historical drama Reagan, alongside Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller.
He will also star as an Army explosives technician in the Netflix original action dramedy series Obliterated, with a premiere expected later this year. Though his career may not be what it was in the '80s, Howell seems to be doing just fine for himself and continues to craft a diverse and exciting acting resume.