Biography ♥
♥ Christopher Thomas Howell, usually credited as C. Thomas Howell, nicknamed either "Tommy" or "CT", was born on December 7, 1966 in Los Angeles, California. He was one of four children of Chris and Candice Howell. He has two sisters, Stacy and Candi, and a brother, John. His father worked as a stunt coordinator since Howell was six. As a young boy, Howell wanted to be a stuntman and was even a child stunt player.
When Howell was young his parents divorced, leaving his mother with both of her sons and daughter Stacy, and his father took little Candi with him. Howell shared his time with each parent and started his career through his father's job. When he was twelve, he became a rodeo champion at the California Junior Rodeo Association and was named "All-Around Cowboy" (1979-1981). While growing up, he also spent time golfing with his grandfather (where his nickname "CT" came because that's how he was recorded on screen boards). ♥
♥ Howell's first showbiz debut was acting in the Brian Keith Show episode "The Little People" as a little boy whose ears are being checked out by a doctor. When he got older, he tried stunt acting like his father and worked on commercials for a while. His first film appearance was in the 1977 made-for-television movie "It Happened One Christmas", with Marlo Thomas. Following the movie, he tried rodeo riding for a few years. In 1981 he was originally a child stuntman for Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial”. This ultimately led to a role in the movie, playing Tyler, one of Elliot’s brother’s friends. “E.T.” was released in June of 1982 and shortly after, Howell was earmarked as one of the most promising young actors in the mid 1980s after an eye-catching performance as the lead role in the teen coming-of-age epic “The Outsiders”, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
It was Howell’s gripping performance as the tough but vulnerable Ponyboy Curtis that earned him a "Young Artist Award", made him a teen idol and skyrocketed him to fame. That same year, C. Thomas Howell starred in his first TV series, “Two Marriages”. Soon after came many fine performances in films, including the violent Cold War invasion drama “Red Dawn”, and a co-starring part alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in “Grandview, U.S.A.”. His career was not helped by the controversial racial comedy “Soul Man”, which was not well-received. ♥
♥ In his single days, Howell shared a place with his friend Darren Dalton, with whom he co-starred in "The Outsiders" and "Red Dawn" and who later appeared in his "War of the Worlds 2". From July 11, 1989 to 1990, Howell was married to actress Rae Dawn Chong, his "Soul Man" co-star. He married again in 1992 to Sylvie Anderson. They have three children together.
In the 1990’s, Howell continued to captivate audiences; giving riveting performances in over 40 films, including: “Side Out”, “Kid”, “That Night”, “Breaking the Rules”, “Suspect Device”, “Shameless”, “Sleeping Dogs”, and “Fatal Affair”. Once again, Howell mesmerized us in the spellbinding TV series “Kindred: The Embraced”, as well as the critically acclaimed mini-series “Gettysburg”. ♥
♥ Some of C. Thomas Howell’s other movies include “The Hillside Strangler”, “The Glass Trap”, “The Hitcher 2”, “Gods and Generals” and the award-winning independent film “The Glass Jar”. He has also made various made-for-TV films, including “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Ordinary Miracles”. In addition, Tommy has also made appearances on several TV shows including “ER”, “24”, “Southland” and “Criminal Minds”.
Although lots of people know of C. Thomas Howell’s career as an actor, many are not aware of his behind-the-scenes abilities. Howell directed the films “The Big Fall”, “Pure Danger” and “Hourglass”. In addition, he co-wrote “Hourglass” with longtime friend Darren Dalton. In 2002, Howell produced the made-for-television movie “Hope Ranch”, which he co-wrote with his father Chris Howell. His daughter Isabelle appears in this film as well, portraying the role of Molly. ♥
♥ Whilst superstardom has eluded him, there's no doubting that Howell has been in consistent demand with film producers. He has notched up in excess of 90 feature film appearances; including starring roles in “Side Out”, “Gettysburg”, “Baby Face Nelson”, “Fatal Affair”, “Asylum Days” and “Hoboken Hollow”.
Known as a friendly and likable person to his fans, C. Thomas Howell lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Sylvie and their three children; Isabelle, Dashiell and Liam. He enjoys spending his free time at his family's horse ranch. He also enjoys golfing, playing on his computer, reading the newspaper and watching tv, especially sports. ♥
When Howell was young his parents divorced, leaving his mother with both of her sons and daughter Stacy, and his father took little Candi with him. Howell shared his time with each parent and started his career through his father's job. When he was twelve, he became a rodeo champion at the California Junior Rodeo Association and was named "All-Around Cowboy" (1979-1981). While growing up, he also spent time golfing with his grandfather (where his nickname "CT" came because that's how he was recorded on screen boards). ♥
♥ Howell's first showbiz debut was acting in the Brian Keith Show episode "The Little People" as a little boy whose ears are being checked out by a doctor. When he got older, he tried stunt acting like his father and worked on commercials for a while. His first film appearance was in the 1977 made-for-television movie "It Happened One Christmas", with Marlo Thomas. Following the movie, he tried rodeo riding for a few years. In 1981 he was originally a child stuntman for Steven Spielberg’s “E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial”. This ultimately led to a role in the movie, playing Tyler, one of Elliot’s brother’s friends. “E.T.” was released in June of 1982 and shortly after, Howell was earmarked as one of the most promising young actors in the mid 1980s after an eye-catching performance as the lead role in the teen coming-of-age epic “The Outsiders”, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
It was Howell’s gripping performance as the tough but vulnerable Ponyboy Curtis that earned him a "Young Artist Award", made him a teen idol and skyrocketed him to fame. That same year, C. Thomas Howell starred in his first TV series, “Two Marriages”. Soon after came many fine performances in films, including the violent Cold War invasion drama “Red Dawn”, and a co-starring part alongside Jamie Lee Curtis in “Grandview, U.S.A.”. His career was not helped by the controversial racial comedy “Soul Man”, which was not well-received. ♥
♥ In his single days, Howell shared a place with his friend Darren Dalton, with whom he co-starred in "The Outsiders" and "Red Dawn" and who later appeared in his "War of the Worlds 2". From July 11, 1989 to 1990, Howell was married to actress Rae Dawn Chong, his "Soul Man" co-star. He married again in 1992 to Sylvie Anderson. They have three children together.
In the 1990’s, Howell continued to captivate audiences; giving riveting performances in over 40 films, including: “Side Out”, “Kid”, “That Night”, “Breaking the Rules”, “Suspect Device”, “Shameless”, “Sleeping Dogs”, and “Fatal Affair”. Once again, Howell mesmerized us in the spellbinding TV series “Kindred: The Embraced”, as well as the critically acclaimed mini-series “Gettysburg”. ♥
♥ Some of C. Thomas Howell’s other movies include “The Hillside Strangler”, “The Glass Trap”, “The Hitcher 2”, “Gods and Generals” and the award-winning independent film “The Glass Jar”. He has also made various made-for-TV films, including “The Poseidon Adventure” and “Ordinary Miracles”. In addition, Tommy has also made appearances on several TV shows including “ER”, “24”, “Southland” and “Criminal Minds”.
Although lots of people know of C. Thomas Howell’s career as an actor, many are not aware of his behind-the-scenes abilities. Howell directed the films “The Big Fall”, “Pure Danger” and “Hourglass”. In addition, he co-wrote “Hourglass” with longtime friend Darren Dalton. In 2002, Howell produced the made-for-television movie “Hope Ranch”, which he co-wrote with his father Chris Howell. His daughter Isabelle appears in this film as well, portraying the role of Molly. ♥
♥ Whilst superstardom has eluded him, there's no doubting that Howell has been in consistent demand with film producers. He has notched up in excess of 90 feature film appearances; including starring roles in “Side Out”, “Gettysburg”, “Baby Face Nelson”, “Fatal Affair”, “Asylum Days” and “Hoboken Hollow”.
Known as a friendly and likable person to his fans, C. Thomas Howell lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Sylvie and their three children; Isabelle, Dashiell and Liam. He enjoys spending his free time at his family's horse ranch. He also enjoys golfing, playing on his computer, reading the newspaper and watching tv, especially sports. ♥