C. Thomas Howell
C. Thomas Howell (born December 7, 1966) is an American actor and director recognized for his early leading roles in 1980s coming-of-age and thriller films.[1] The son of stuntman Chris Howell and Candice Webb, Howell began performing at age four in the NBC series The Little People and developed riding skills through his father's rodeo background, which informed early roles.[1][2] He achieved breakout success as Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola's The Outsiders (1983), portraying a sensitive teen navigating class tensions in 1960s Oklahoma alongside future stars like Matt Dillon and Patrick Swayze.[3][4] This led to parts in Red Dawn (1984) as a resistance fighter and The Hitcher (1986) as Jim Halsey, a driver stalked by a psychopathic hitchhiker played by Rutger Hauer.[5][6] Howell's career trajectory shifted after starring in Soul Man (1986), a comedy in which he portrayed a white student using blackface to secure a scholarship, sparking widespread criticism for racial stereotyping despite initial commercial intent as satire.[7] The film's backlash, amplified by protests including from a young Spike Lee, contributed to Howell's transition from potential leading man to prolific supporting actor in over 200 television and direct-to-video projects, including Criminal Minds and The Walking Dead.[8][5] Despite this, he has sustained a steady output, directing films like The Jailhouse (2009) and maintaining fan appeal for his versatile, often intense characterizations.[9][10]Early life
Family background and childhood
Christopher Thomas Howell was born on December 7, 1966, in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.[1] His parents were Christopher N. Howell, a professional rodeo performer, bull rider, and later stunt coordinator in the film industry, and Candice Howell (née Webb).[1][11] Howell grew up with three siblings: sisters Stacy and Candi, and brother John.[12] The family's proximity to the entertainment world and rodeo circuits, influenced by his father's dual careers, shaped his early environment in the Los Angeles area.[13][11] From a young age, Howell developed skills in horseback riding and roping, participating in junior rodeo competitions amid his father's professional activities.[13] He achieved recognition by winning the American Junior Rodeo Association championship in 1980 at age 13 or 14, excelling in calf roping events.[13] This background in equestrian sports and stunt-adjacent activities provided foundational experiences distinct from typical urban childhoods in Los Angeles.[13]Initial entry into entertainment
Howell's initial foray into entertainment occurred during his childhood, shaped by his father Chris Howell's profession as a stunt coordinator and rodeo performer, which exposed him to film sets from an early age. At around six or seven years old, he secured his first acting credit in the 1973 episode "The Little People" of the NBC sitcom The Brian Keith Show, portraying a young boy having his ears examined by a doctor.[14][1] By age 11, in 1977, Howell appeared in a small role in the made-for-television movie It Happened One Christmas, a holiday remake of It's a Wonderful Life featuring Marlo Thomas as the lead.[15] This early television work marked his transition from minor episodic roles to scripted features, though he balanced it with other pursuits like rodeo riding, where he competed and won youth championships.[13] Throughout his pre-teen and early teen years, Howell supplemented acting with commercial work and child stunt performing, emulating his father's career path while building industry connections.[1] These experiences honed his on-set familiarity, paving the way for more substantial opportunities, including teaching John Travolta mechanical bull riding techniques for the 1980 film Urban Cowboy.[16] Despite initial diversions into athletics, Howell's persistent involvement in commercials and stunts by age seven solidified his commitment to entertainment over exclusive rodeo ambitions.[17]Acting career
1980s breakthrough and teen roles
Howell's acting breakthrough occurred in 1983 with the lead role of Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel The Outsiders.[17][4] In the film, Howell portrayed a sensitive, bookish teenager navigating class tensions between working-class "Greasers" and affluent "Socs" in 1960s Oklahoma, sharing the screen with an ensemble of emerging talents including Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, and Tom Cruise.[18][3] His performance as the introspective protagonist earned him a Young Artist Award for Best Young Actor in a Major Motion Picture.[4] Building on this success, Howell took on several teen-oriented roles throughout the mid-1980s, often depicting youthful protagonists in coming-of-age or action scenarios. In 1984, he reunited with Swayze for Red Dawn, directed by John Milius, where he played Robert Morris, a high school student turned guerrilla fighter resisting a Soviet-Cuban invasion of small-town America alongside co-stars Charlie Sheen and Lea Thompson.[19] That same year, he appeared in Grandview, U.S.A. as a young man entangled in small-town drama and Tank as the son of a military father, roles that capitalized on his post-Outsiders visibility.[20] By 1985, Howell starred in the romantic comedy Secret Admirer as a high schooler navigating crushes and misunderstandings. Howell's 1980s teen roles extended into more mature thrillers and comedies, though not without controversy. In 1986, he led The Hitcher as Jim Halsey, a young driver terrorized by a psychopathic killer (Rutger Hauer) on a remote highway, showcasing his ability to handle intense suspense.[20] Later that year, Soul Man cast him as Mark Watson, a white law student who uses tanning pills and makeup to impersonate a Black man for a scholarship, drawing immediate protests from civil rights groups and filmmaker Spike Lee for its use of racial caricature akin to blackface minstrelsy.[8][21] Despite the backlash, which included boycotts and accusations of insensitivity, Howell defended the film as an attempt to address racial issues through satire, though it marked a pivot away from uncontroversial teen leads.[8] These projects solidified Howell's mid-1980s presence in youth-targeted films but highlighted the era's uneven handling of social themes.1990s challenges and typecasting
Following the release of Soul Man in 1986, in which Howell portrayed a white student using blackface to pose as Black for a scholarship, the film faced widespread protests, including from Spike Lee, who publicly condemned it as racially insensitive and urged boycotts.[8] [7] This backlash contributed to a career downturn for Howell, as major studios distanced themselves, limiting him to smaller productions and preventing A-list breakthroughs despite his earlier successes in The Outsiders (1983) and Red Dawn (1984).[7] [17] In the 1990s, Howell's output shifted toward independent films, direct-to-video releases, and supporting roles, reflecting typecasting as a versatile but non-lead actor from his teen idol phase, compounded by the prior controversy's stigma.[17] He starred in the volleyball comedy Side Out (1990), a modest box-office performer grossing under $5 million domestically, and the coming-of-age drama That Night (1992), which received limited theatrical release. A notable exception was his portrayal of Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in the historical epic Gettysburg (1993), earning praise for authenticity amid the film's $56 million budget and ensemble cast, though it did not elevate his status to leading man.[17] Television offered sporadic opportunities, such as his lead role as Detective Frank Kohanek in the Fox supernatural series Kindred: The Embraced (1996), which aired only eight episodes before cancellation due to low ratings, further illustrating inconsistent demand for his talents.[17] Other 1990s credits included thrillers like Dangerous Indiscretion (1995) and Hour of the Gun (1996 remake), often in antagonistic or secondary parts that perpetuated perceptions of him as a reliable B-movie player rather than a bankable star. Howell later reflected that Hollywood's commercial priorities hindered quality roles during this period, requiring persistence amid typecasting constraints.[23]2000s independent films and television
In the 2000s, C. Thomas Howell shifted focus to independent and direct-to-video productions, frequently portraying villains in horror, thriller, and action genres, which provided steady work amid limited major studio opportunities. These roles often capitalized on his established screen presence from earlier career highs, allowing him to explore darker characters in low-budget films produced by companies like The Asylum. Howell appeared in over a dozen such projects during the decade, emphasizing quantity and genre specialization over high-profile releases.[5] Notable independent films included Asylum Days (2001), a psychological thriller in which Howell starred as a man confronting his sanity in a mental institution. He reprised his iconic role as Jim Halsey in the direct-to-video sequel The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting (2003). In 2004, Howell played real-life serial killer Kenneth Bianchi in The Hillside Strangler, a biographical horror film depicting the "Hillside Stranglers" murders. Other credits encompassed H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds (2005), a mockbuster adaptation where he portrayed Dr. George Herbert leading resistance against alien invaders, and Hoboken Hollow (2006), a supernatural horror featuring a drifter uncovering a town's dark secrets.[24][25] Howell's television work in the decade featured guest and recurring roles that showcased his versatility in crime dramas. He portrayed the sadistic serial killer George Foyet, alias "The Reaper," in Criminal Minds across multiple episodes from 2009, including the season 4 finale "Omnivore" and season 5's "100," where the character taunted the BAU team and targeted agent Aaron Hotchner's family. Later that year, Howell joined Southland as Officer Bill "Dewey" Dudek, an erratic and abrasive patrol officer in the Hollywood Division, marking a recurring role in the TNT series that premiered on April 9, 2009.[26][27]2010s and 2020s revival and recent projects
In the 2010s, Howell maintained a steady presence in television and independent films, appearing in guest roles on series such as The Glades in 2010 and providing a supporting role as Troy's father in the blockbuster The Amazing Spider-Man in 2012.[5] He also took on voice acting in video games, including characters in Dead Rising 3 (2013) and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (2013).[17] Recurring television roles included Dr. Daniel Stinger in Stitchers starting in 2015 and the antagonist George Foyet across six episodes of Criminal Minds from 2009 to 2020. These projects marked a diversification from earlier typecasting, with Howell engaging in both mainstream and niche productions. Howell starred in faith-based films like Woodlawn (2015), portraying a coach in the sports drama based on true events, and A Question of Faith (2017), a story of family and forgiveness following a tragic accident. On television, he recurred as Ash Spenser in six episodes of SEAL Team from 2017 to 2019 and as Major Bowen in five episodes of The Terror: Infamy in 2019.[28] He appeared as Roy, a Hilltop Colony guard, in six episodes of The Walking Dead during its ninth season in 2018.[17] Entering the 2020s, Howell continued with prominent supporting roles, including Hagerty in eight episodes of the Netflix action-comedy Obliterated (2023).[4] In 2024, he portrayed Caspar Weinberger in the biographical film Reagan, depicting the former U.S. Secretary of Defense.[29] Additional projects include roles in Crimson Point (2023), Ride (2024), and Anders in three episodes of 1923 (2025).[30] Howell is set to appear as Nathan in the upcoming Where the Wind Blows (2025).[5] This period reflects a sustained career trajectory with recurring television work and selective film appearances, leveraging his versatility in ensemble casts.Other professional pursuits
Directing and producing work
Howell made his directorial debut with the 1996 direct-to-video thriller Pure Danger, in which he also starred as a paroled convict who flees with a waitress after discovering a bag of stolen money, leading to pursuits by criminals and police.[31] The film, produced by PM Entertainment Group, emphasized action sequences and featured co-stars Teri Ann Linn and Michael Russo.[32] He followed this with The Big Fall in 1997, another direct-to-video project where Howell directed and portrayed private detective Blaise Rybeck investigating a missing brother amid corporate intrigue and violence in Los Angeles.[33] Co-starring Sophie Ward and Jeff Kober, the neo-noir action-drama was released by Nu Image/Millennium Films and received mixed reviews for its plot pacing but praise for Howell's handling of suspense elements.[34] In the 2000s, Howell directed several low-budget science fiction films, including War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave (2008), a sequel to the 2005 adaptation focusing on alien remnants and human resistance, starring himself alongside Blackout Starburst; The Day the Earth Stopped (2008), depicting an alien shutdown of Earth's technology; and The Land That Time Forgot (2009), a reimagining of the Edgar Rice Burroughs novel involving a submarine crew discovering prehistoric creatures.[35] These projects, often distributed via Asylum Studios or similar independent outfits, prioritized visual effects on constrained budgets.[36] Howell also directed The Genesis Code (2010), a faith-based drama exploring genetic science and biblical themes through a college Kerry Packer's investigation into miracles, with Howell in a supporting role.[37] Regarding producing, Howell served as producer and writer on the 2002 family drama Hope Ranch, which he also scripted, centering on a troubled youth finding redemption through rodeo life.[38] Many of his directorial efforts involved producing roles, reflecting his hands-on approach to independent filmmaking amid a shift from acting leads to behind-the-camera work in genre and direct-to-video markets.[37]Music career and discography
Howell transitioned into music later in his acting career, self-teaching guitar by replicating songs from country artists including Chris Stapleton, Drake White, and Whiskey Myers, which evolved into original songwriting rooted in cowboy themes and personal storytelling.[39] Relocating to Nashville, Tennessee, he adopted the stage name Tommy Howell for his musical endeavors, emphasizing a shift toward country and Americana styles that reflect his Western upbringing and film roles.[40] His debut album, American Storyteller, was released on February 3, 2023, comprising tracks such as "Whiskey Demon," "Rose Hill" (inspired by visits to Allman Brothers' historical sites), "Hell of a Life," "'88," "Cold Dead Hands," "Raised By Wolves," "Ponygirl," and "Possessed," produced to capture raw, narrative-driven country sounds.[41][42][43] The follow-up album, Damned Good Man, his sophomore release, came out on May 1, 2025, featuring 11 tracks including the title song released to country radio on February 18, 2025, and "Ride" as the title track for the 2023 film Ride (featuring Zia Carlock).[44][45][46] Howell has also issued singles like "Take the Reins" with an accompanying music video in January 2024, and performs live, with tour dates listed on his official site.[47] His music output remains independent, available on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, focusing on digital, CD, and vinyl formats without major label affiliation noted.[48][49]Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Release date | Format(s) |
|---|---|---|
| American Storyteller | February 3, 2023 | Digital, CD, vinyl[41][49] |
| Damned Good Man | May 1, 2025 | Digital, CD [44][49] |
Selected singles
- "Hell of a Life" (2023)[50]
- "Ride" (Movie Title Track Version, 2024)[46]
- "Take the Reins" (2024)[47]
- "Damned Good Man" (February 18, 2025)[45]
Personal life
Marriages, relationships, and family
Howell married actress Rae Dawn Chong on July 11, 1989, in Las Vegas, Nevada, after meeting her on the set of the film Soul Man (1986); the marriage ended in divorce in 1990.[51][52] He wed model and fashion designer Sylvie Anderson in 1992, and the couple had three children: daughter Isabelle (born 1993), son Dashiell (born 1997), and son Liam (born 2001).[53][54] Anderson filed for divorce in 2016, which was finalized thereafter.[53] Following the divorce, Howell married Brandi Howell in 2023.[53][55] No additional children from this union have been reported.[53]Health challenges and lifestyle
In 2003, Howell experienced a ruptured appendix that necessitated emergency surgery, during which surgeons removed several feet of his intestines to prevent fatal complications, resulting in a hospitalization of nearly four weeks and a loss of approximately 60 pounds.[29][16] The ordeal required an extended recovery period, during which he drew from the experience to executive produce and star in the 2015 film Sick People, which critiques health insurance practices.[29][16] Howell has a family history of alcoholism, with his grandparents being heavy drinkers and his father achieving sobriety after years of struggle, maintaining it for over 40 years as of 2023.[56] He has described his own approach to alcohol as recreational—"I like to swill one back and have a good time"—but emphasized that it has never escalated to the point of adversely affecting his life or others, distinguishing it from addictive patterns observed in his family.[56] In terms of lifestyle, Howell incorporates daily spiritual practices, meditating twice each day—upon waking and before bed—as part of his adherence to Kriya Yoga techniques taught through the Self-Realization Fellowship, a group blending Christian principles with ancient yogic methods.[57] He views spirituality as centered on intentional right actions, compassion, and forgiveness rather than dogmatic religion, aiming to live as a "spiritual warrior" detached from material excesses while dedicating daily efforts to higher consciousness.[57]Political views and public persona
Conservative leanings and notable roles
C. Thomas Howell has indicated a personal shift toward conservatism as he has aged, observing in a 2023 interview that while younger people often engage in street protests and demonstrations, older individuals like himself gravitate toward more conservative perspectives on life and values.[56] This reflection occurred amid discussions of his career longevity and the maturation process, contrasting youthful activism with a preference for stability and tradition in later years.[56] Among his notable roles aligning with conservative themes, Howell portrayed Robert Morris, one of the young protagonists resisting a Soviet-led invasion in Red Dawn (1984), a film directed by John Milius that emphasizes American resilience, gun ownership, and opposition to communism—elements frequently interpreted as promoting patriotic and anti-collectivist ideals prevalent in Reagan-era discourse.[58] [59] The movie, released on August 10, 1984, grossed over $38 million domestically and became a cultural touchstone for its depiction of guerrilla warfare against foreign occupiers, resonating with audiences concerned about Cold War threats.[60] More recently, Howell played Caspar Weinberger, Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Defense from 1981 to 1987, in the biographical drama Reagan (2024), which chronicles the life of the 40th U.S. president known for his staunch anti-communist policies, economic deregulation, and military buildup.[61] [17] Weinberger, a key architect of Reagan's defense strategies including the Strategic Defense Initiative, represented fiscal conservatism and hawkish foreign policy; Howell's portrayal highlights this figure's influence during a transformative era for American conservatism.[61] The film, starring Dennis Quaid as Reagan, premiered on August 30, 2024, and drew attention for its focus on Reagan's rise from actor to political leader.[17]Public statements and cultural impact
Howell has publicly expressed a preference for traditional values amid contemporary societal shifts, stating in a 2023 interview, "We’re in a real interesting crossroads right now where people who want to hold onto their old values are being challenged. Really, we just need to live and let live."[56] He has emphasized the importance of family storytelling traditions, recounting ranch life where "there are a lot of stories shared... around a campfire" and listening to elders, which he contrasts with modern complexities.[56] On substance use, Howell has critiqued its destructive effects based on familial observations, noting, "Drugs and alcohol have never fixed anything for anybody in my family. I’ve watched a lot of people, cousins and uncles, and a lot of people battle."[56] In discussing his portrayal of Caspar Weinberger in the 2020 film Reagan, Howell portrayed the figure positively as an "edgy" advisor and "Reagan’s pocket knife," highlighting a pragmatic loyalty in political dynamics without critiquing the administration's policies.[61] He has advocated for authenticity in cowboy culture, asserting in 2024 that "the cowboy culture is not something you can fake," as audiences can discern genuine horsemanship and attire from pretense.[62] Through his country music, including the 2023 album American Storyteller, Howell promotes narratives of rural simplicity, stating that the genre "lends to that simpler time that I appreciate and want to maintain in my life a little bit, if I can," evoking pre-digital eras free of "the heartache, the headache, the pain and struggle and the labels that they all have now."[56] Howell's cultural influence stems primarily from his breakout role as Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 adaptation of The Outsiders, which has endured as a staple of American youth cinema and inspired a 2007–2008 Broadway musical adaptation, embedding themes of class division and brotherhood into pop culture.[63] The film, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, captured 1980s coming-of-age angst and launched several actors' careers, with Howell reflecting on its mania during Tulsa filming in 1982–1983.[64] His performance in Red Dawn (1984), the first PG-13 rated film, resonated with working-class audiences, grossing $38 million against a $17 million budget and becoming a "cherished copy" for many in garages and cabins, symbolizing resistance and patriotism.[61] The 1986 comedy Soul Man, in which Howell portrayed a white student using blackface makeup to secure a scholarship, generated backlash for racial insensitivity, contributing to a career setback as he did not star in major films thereafter, though he defended the intent in a 2019 social media post: "Clearly none of you have actually watched Soul Man."[65] This episode highlighted early tensions in Hollywood over racial portrayals, predating broader cancel culture dynamics. Howell's later pivot to country music and Western roles reinforces authentic Americana themes, influencing niche audiences valuing rugged individualism over urban narratives.[66]Filmography
Feature films
Howell made his feature film debut in a supporting role as Tyler in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), directed by Steven Spielberg.[67] His breakthrough performance came as the lead Ponyboy Curtis in Francis Ford Coppola's adaptation of The Outsiders (1983), portraying a sensitive teenager navigating class tensions and family loss in 1960s Oklahoma.[3] In the mid-1980s, Howell starred in multiple action and coming-of-age films, including Tank (1984) as Billy, the son of a military veteran fighting corruption; Grandview, U.S.A. (1984) as Tim, a young man involved in a demolition derby and romance; and Red Dawn (1984) as Robert Morris, a high school student resisting a Soviet invasion in a guerrilla warfare scenario.[19] He followed with leads in Secret Admirer (1985) as Michael Ryan, a teen entangled in anonymous love letters, and The Hitcher (1986) as Jim Halsey, a driver pursued by a psychopathic killer on a remote highway.[6] His role as Mark Watson in Soul Man (1986), a white student using blackface makeup to pose as African American for a scholarship, generated significant backlash for its racial premise and execution. Howell continued with starring roles in Side Out (1990), a beach volleyball comedy where he played Monroe Clark Duncan, and historical epics like Gettysburg (1993) and Gods and Generals (2003), both as Union officer Lt. Thomas Chamberlain, drawing from real Civil War events at Little Round Top. By the 2000s and 2010s, his career shifted toward direct-to-video thrillers, horror, and independent action films, including Hoboken Hollow (2006) and Asylum Days (2001), amassing over 90 feature film credits by 2025.[5] Recent appearances include Caspar Weinberger in the biographical drama Reagan (2024).| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | Tyler |
| 1983 | The Outsiders | Ponyboy Curtis |
| 1984 | Tank | Billy |
| 1984 | Grandview, U.S.A. | Tim |
| 1984 | Red Dawn | Robert Morris |
| 1985 | Secret Admirer | Michael Ryan |
| 1986 | The Hitcher | Jim Halsey |
| 1986 | Soul Man | Mark Watson |
| 1990 | Side Out | Monroe Clark Duncan |
| 1993 | Gettysburg | Lt. Thomas Chamberlain |
| 2003 | Gods and Generals | Lt. Tom Chamberlain |
| 2024 | Reagan | Caspar Weinberger |