C. Thomas Howell Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles

C. Thomas Howell, born Christopher Thomas Howell on December 7, 1966, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actor and director known for his roles in 1980s films. Howell's career began in childhood and has spanned several decades, encompassing a variety of genres in both film and television.

Howell's acting career started early, with his first notable role as Tyler in the 1982 film "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," directed by Steven Spielberg. His breakthrough came in 1983 when he starred as Ponyboy Curtis in "The Outsiders," a film adaptation of S.E. Hinton's novel directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Following "The Outsiders," Howell appeared in several other successful films. In 1984, he played a pivotal role in "Red Dawn," the first film to receive a PG-13 rating, which depicted a fictional Soviet invasion of the United States. He continued his success with the 1985 comedy "Secret Admirer" and the 1986 film "The Hitcher," in which he portrayed a young man terrorized by a psychopathic hitchhiker, played by Rutger Hauer.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Howell continued to work in both film and television. He starred in "Soul Man" (1986), a controversial comedy about a white student who pretends to be African American to receive a scholarship. Despite mixed reviews, the film added to his diverse portfolio. Howell also appeared in the "Gettysburg" (1993) and its prequel "Gods and Generals" (2003), where he played the role of Thomas Chamberlain.

In addition to acting, Howell has directed several films, including "The Big Fall" (1997) and "War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave" (2008). His television work includes guest appearances on shows such as "Criminal Minds," "ER," "24," and "Southland," where he had a recurring role.