C. Thomas Howell | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Howell at the 2013Peabody Awards | |
| Born | Christopher Thomas Howell (1966-12-07)December 7, 1966 (age 59) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Tommy Howell Tom Howell |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Spouses | |
Christopher Thomas Howell (born December 7, 1966)[1] is an American actor, director and musician. After making his film debut with a supporting role inE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Howell had his breakout with a lead role asPonyboy Curtis in the coming-of-age filmThe Outsiders (1983).
Following his breakout, Howell had starring roles in the filmsTank (1984),Grandview, U.S.A. (1984),Red Dawn (1984),Secret Admirer (1985), andThe Hitcher (1986). His lead role in the commercially successful yet controversial filmSoul Man (1986) damaged his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
In the 1990s, Howell starred in the filmsSide Out (1990),That Night (1992), andGettysburg (1993), and had main roles as Detective Frank Kohanek on theFox horror television seriesKindred: The Embraced (1996) and Dr. Alex Kennedy on the syndicated seriesAmazon (1999–2000). He portrayedBaby Face Nelson in the biographical filmBaby Face Nelson (1995). In the 2000s, Howell starred in the filmGods and Generals (2003) and had a recurring, later main, role as Bill "Dewey" Dudek on theNBC andTNT crime drama seriesSouthland (2009–2013). He had a supporting role in the filmHidalgo (2004).
In the 2010s, Howell starred in the filmsWoodlawn (2015) andA Question of Faith (2017), and had a supporting role in the superhero filmThe Amazing Spider-Man (2012). He had voice roles in the superhero animated filmsJustice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013),Justice League: Gods and Monsters (2015), andSuicide Squad: Hell to Pay (2018). Howell also portrayedWalter Jenkins in the political drama filmLBJ (2016). In the 2020s, Howell had a main role as Hagerty on theNetflix seriesObliterated (2023) and portrayedCaspar Weinberger in the biographical filmReagan (2024).
In addition to his acting career, Howell began pursuing music professionally in the 2020s under the name Tommy Howell. He released his debut single, “Rose Hill,” in 2022, followed by “Whiskey Demon,” and later issued his first full-length album "American Storyteller" in 2023.
Howell was born in theVan Nuys neighborhood ofLos Angeles to Christopher N. and Candice Howell. He has three siblings.[2]
His father worked as a stunt coordinator and rodeo performer. He played the role of the Red Knight inTerry Gilliam’sThe Fisher King. As a young boy, Howell wanted to be a stuntman and was a child stunt performer. He was also a rodeo star.[3]
When Howell was young, his parents divorced.[4][5] Howell graduated fromSaugus High School in 1984.[6]
Howell made his show business debut in the situation comedyThe Brian Keith Show. When he was older, he acted in commercials.[7]
In 1982, Howell made his film debut as Tyler inSteven Spielberg'sE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.[8]
In 1981, aged 15, Howell was cast inThe Outsiders,Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 cinematic adaptation ofS. E. Hinton'snovel.[9] Howell played the lead role ofPonyboy Curtis, "the soulful tagalong greaser through whose eyes we see the events of the 1960s-set film unfold."[10] The coming-of-age film[11] went on to become a cult classic,[12][13] and featured an ensemble cast that includedTom Cruise,Matt Dillon,Emilio Estevez,Leif Garrett,Diane Lane,Rob Lowe,Ralph Macchio, andPatrick Swayze.[14] Howell's portrayal of Ponyboy was his breakthrough role,[15] and it earned him aYoung Artist Award.[16]
In 1984, Howell and hisOutsiders co-starPatrick Swayze reunited forGrandview, U.S.A. andRed Dawn, Howell also had a pivotal role inTank. In 1985, he starred inSecret Admirer. After filmingThe Outsiders, Howell co-starred in his own television seriesTwo Marriages, which ended after four episodes, but letters of support got it back on air. He later expressed disappointment in the series.[17][better source needed]
Howell was one of two final actors in the running for the lead role ofMarty McFly inBack to the Future (1985); the other wasEric Stoltz. Ultimately,Michael J. Fox was cast as Marty after Stoltz was deemed wrong for the part.[18] In 1986, Howell was a hitchhiker's target in the horror filmThe Hitcher. He also starred in the 2003 sequelThe Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting.[19] In 1986, Howell starred in the satireSoul Man, a controversial film in which Howell appears inblackface.[20] The film was widely condemned and while it was a box office success, it did not help Howell's career. Howell then played the youngArturo Toscanini inFranco Zeffirelli's 1988 filmYoung Toscanini.[21]
In 1992, Howell starred in romantic dramaThat Night alongside actressJuliette Lewis. A film based on the novel of the same name byAlice McDermott. In 1993, Howell starred withLinda Fiorentino andNancy Allen in the thrillerActing on Impulse. He thenachieved success in the filmGettysburg, which was popular with history buffs and history classrooms. In 1995, he starred as Mike, a motorcycle courier in the poorly receivedMad Dogs and Englishmen (U.S. title:Shameless) withElizabeth Hurley.
Following this, Howell starred inPayback and then played gangsterBaby Face Nelson inthe film of the same name. He starred in and made his directorial debut with the 1996 direct-to-video releasePure Danger, which also featuredTeri Ann Linn and comicCarrot Top.
In 2000, Howell played a doctor stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash in the television showAmazon. In 2004, he playedserial killerKenneth Bianchi inThe Hillside Strangler.
In 2005, he starred inH. G. Wells' War of the Worlds, one of three 2005 adaptations of the novelThe War of the Worlds byH. G. Wells. Howell directed and starred in a straight-to-DVD sequelWar of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave in 2008.[22] Also in 2005, he reunited with hisSecret Admirer co-starLori Loughlin when he had a recurring role on her television showSummerland asZac Efron's father.[citation needed] Howell appeared as a doctor inThe Poseidon Adventure, an adaptation of the1972 film of the same name. His father's first (uncredited) stunt co-ordination was for the original film.[23]
In 2006, Howell starred inHoboken Hollow. He also became a supporter of the production companyThe Asylum, which produced his straight-to-DVD films.[citation needed] In 2008, Howell directed and starred inThe Day the Earth Stopped, amockbuster intended to capitalize onThe Day the Earth Stood Still.[24]
Beginning in 2009, Howellguest starred inCriminal Minds onCBS as serial killer George Foyet (The Boston Reaper), a recurring villain based onThe Boston Strangler.[citation needed] Also beginning in 2009, he played the role of Officer Bill "Dewey" Dudek, a police officer recovering from alcoholism, in the L.A. police dramaSouthland.[25][26]
In 2011, Howell guest starred as an inmate onThe Glades and inTorchwood: Miracle Day.[27]
Howell appeared in the 2012 filmThe Amazing Spider-Man.[28]
Starting in 2015, Howell has had arecurring role as Dr. Daniel Stinger in the Freeform showStitchers. In 2017, he had a recurring role as Ash Spenser, a retired Navy SEAL, in the CBS showSEAL Team.
In 2016 and 2018, Howell had a recurring guest-star role as Paul Belmont, aUnited States NavyLieutenant Commander atCamp Pendleton, in Seasons 1 and 3 ofAnimal Kingdom.
In 2023, Howell starred inObliterated onNetflix as Harry Haggerty.
In the 1980s, Howell dated actressKyle Richards.[29] In 1989, he married actressRae Dawn Chong, whom he met while co-starring with her in the 1986 filmSoul Man.[20] They divorced the following year.[30] Howell married his second wife, Sylvie Anderson, in 1992, and the couple had three children.[31] Anderson filed for divorce in 2016.[31]
In November 2001, Howell wasacquitted of fivemisdemeanor charges, including hit and run and brandishing a weapon arising out of a confrontation with a skateboarder in Southern California.[32]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial | Tyler | Credited as Tom Howell |
| 1983 | The Outsiders | Ponyboy Curtis | |
| 1984 | Tank | Billy | |
| Grandview, U.S.A. | Tim Pearson | ||
| Red Dawn | Robert Morris | ||
| 1985 | Secret Admirer | Michael Ryan | |
| 1986 | The Hitcher | Jim Halsey | |
| Soul Man | Mark Watson | ||
| 1987 | A Tiger's Tale | Bubber Drumm | |
| 1988 | Young Toscanini | Arturo Toscanini | |
| 1989 | The Return of the Musketeers | Raoul | |
| 1990 | Far Out Man | Himself | |
| Side Out | Monroe Clark | ||
| Kid | Kid | ||
| 1991 | Nickel & Dime | Jack Stone | |
| 1992 | Breaking the Rules | Gene Michaels | |
| That Night | Rick | ||
| To Protect and Serve | Egan | ||
| 1993 | Gettysburg | Thomas Chamberlain | |
| Treacherous | Micky Stewart | ||
| 1994 | Jailbait | Sergeant Lee Teffler | Direct-to-video |
| Teresa's Tattoo | Carl | ||
| 1995 | Payback | Oscar Bonsetter | |
| Dangerous Indiscretion | Jim | ||
| Mad Dogs and Englishmen | Mike | ||
| Hourglass | Michael Jardine | Direct-to-video | |
| Baby Face Nelson | Baby Face Nelson | ||
| 1996 | The Sweeper | Mark Goddard | |
| Pure Danger | Johnie Dean | Also director; direct-to-video | |
| 1997 | The Big Fall | Blaise Rybeck | |
| Laws of Deception | Evan Marino | ||
| Last Lives | Aaron | ||
| Sleeping Dogs | Sanchez Boon | Direct-to-video | |
| Dilemma | Thomas "Quin" Quinlan | ||
| Matter of Trust | Michael D'Angelo | ||
| 1998 | Shepherd | Boris Dakota | |
| Charades | Evan | ||
| Fatal Affair | Malcolm "Mack" Maddox | ||
| 1999 | The Glass Jar | Lanois | |
| Avalanche | Jack | ||
| Hitman's Run | Tom Holly | ||
| The Prince and the Surfer | Dean | Direct-to-video | |
| Enemy Action | John Reed | ||
| The Crimson Code | J.B. Gaines | ||
| 2000 | The Million Dollar Kid | Valentino | |
| Hot Boyz | Officer Roberts | Direct-to-video | |
| 2001 | XCU: Extreme Close Up | Geoffrey Liddy | |
| Separate Ways | Tom Milton | ||
| Asylum Days | Nathan Devine | ||
| Askari | Joss McKinley | ||
| 2002 | WillFull | Nat Wolff | |
| 2003 | Net Games | Adam Vance | |
| Gods and Generals | Thomas Chamberlain | ||
| The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting | Jim Halsey | Direct-to-video | |
| 2004 | Hidalgo | Preston Webb | |
| Nursie | Zack | ||
| The Hillside Strangler | Kenneth Bianchi | ||
| A Killer Within | Addison Terrill | ||
| The Lost Angel | Kuratha | ||
| 2005 | Glass Trap | Curtis | Direct-to-video |
| The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam | Coach Fielding | ||
| 2006 | Hoboken Hollow | Clayton Connelly | Direct-to-video |
| The Da Vinci Treasure | Michael Archer | ||
| The Far Side of Jericho | "Little Jimmy" Thornton | ||
| 2007 | The Haunting of Marsten Manor | Captain Williams | |
| Fighting Words | David Settles | ||
| The Stolen Moments of September | Sisner | ||
| Dead Letters | KC | ||
| 2008 | House of Fallen | Thomas | |
| Big Game | Cody "Sully" Sullivan | ||
| Toxic | Joe | Direct-to-video | |
| The Thirst: Blood War | Jed | ||
| The Day the Earth Stopped | Josh Myron | Also director; direct-to-video | |
| Mutant Vampire Zombies from the Hood! | David | ||
| The Grind | Luke | ||
| 2009 | The Jailhouse | Seth Delray | |
| The Land That Time Forgot | Frost Michaels | Also director; direct-to-video | |
| American Pie Presents: The Book of Love | Alumnus Guy #2 | Direct-to-video | |
| Secret at Arrow Lake | Daniel | ||
| Fuel | Shane | ||
| Camouflage | Stanley | ||
| 2010 | Street Poet | David | |
| The Terror Experiment | Chief Grasso | ||
| Flatline | Teacher | ||
| Cupid's Arrow | Professor Grimes | ||
| 2011 | Restitution | John Youngstown | |
| 2012 | Wedding Day | Russ | |
| Commander and Chief | Shrub | ||
| The Amazing Spider-Man | Troy | ||
| Chilly Christmas | Patrick Cole | Direct-to-video | |
| MoniKa | Double | ||
| Escape | Paul Jordan | Direct-to-video | |
| 2013 | Don't Pass Me By | Jack | |
| The Devil's Dozen | Tom | ||
| Lost on Purpose | Delbert Fergeson | ||
| Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox | Eobard Thawne / Professor Zoom | Voice; direct-to-video[33] | |
| Storm Rider | Mitch | ||
| 2014 | Confessions of a Womanizer | Tony | |
| Bigfoot Wars | Zeke | ||
| A Magic Christmas | Jack Carter | ||
| Borrowed Moments | Jack | ||
| 2015 | Spirit Riders | Keith | |
| Rivers 9 | Sheriff Quentin | ||
| Justice League: Gods and Monsters | Will Magnus | Voice; direct-to-video[34][33] | |
| Woodlawn | Coach George "Shorty" White | ||
| A Christmas Eve Miracle | Jack Carter | ||
| Magic Hour | Tom Worthy | ||
| Lazarus Rising | Silent Cal | ||
| 2016 | Blood Lust | Ryan | |
| Attack of the Killer Donuts | Officer Rogers | ||
| LBJ | Walter Jenkins | ||
| Sick People | Dr. Sam Zimmerman | ||
| 2017 | The Shadow People | Kaine | |
| Disconnected | Robert Crawford | ||
| A Question of Faith | John Danielson | ||
| 2018 | Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay | Eobard Thawne / Professor Zoom | Voice; direct-to-video[35][33] |
| Dirty Dealing 3D | Carter | ||
| The Rack Pack | Ted | ||
| Shifting Gears | Jenkins | ||
| My B.F.F. | Ben Wilkens | ||
| 2019 | Dauntless: The Battle of Midway | CaptainMiles Browning | Direct-to-video |
| Rich Boy, Rich Girl | Blake | ||
| 2020 | Beast Mode | Breen Nash | |
| 2023 | Old Dads | Ed Cameron | |
| Crimson Point | Frank | ||
| 2024 | Ride | John Hawkins | [36] |
| Reagan | Caspar Weinberger | [37] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–1974 | The Brian Keith Show | Unknown | Unknown episodes |
| 1983 | Two Marriages | Scott Morgan | Episode: "Relativity" |
| 1985–1986 | Moonlighting | Waiter / Postal Worker | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Nightmare Classics | Jenner Brading | Episode: "The Eyes of the Panther" |
| 1990 | Curiosity Kills | Cat Thomas | Television film |
| 1992 | Tattle Tale | Bernard Sprat | |
| 1993 | Acting on Impulse | Paul Stevens | |
| 1994 | Natural Selection | Ben Braden / Alex Connelly | |
| 1995 | Suspect Device | Dan Jerico | |
| 1996 | Kindred: The Embraced | Frank Kohanek | 8 episodes |
| 1997 | Dead Fire | Tucker | Television film |
| 1998 | Sealed with a Kiss | Detective Mick Cullen | |
| The Outer Limits | Captain Miles Davidlow | Episode: "The Joining" | |
| V.I.P. | Phil Sherman | Episode: "Val Got Game" | |
| The Love Boat: The Next Wave | John | Episode: "Affairs to Remember" | |
| 1999 | Dead Man's Gun | Henry Hubble | Episode: "The Phrenologist" |
| 1999–2000 | Amazon | Dr. Alex Kennedy | 22 episodes |
| 2000 | Twice in a Lifetime | Tony | Episode: "The Escaped Artist" |
| Lawless: Dead Evidence | Dean Riley | Television film | |
| 2002 | Son of the Beach | Jason Dudikoff | Episode: "In the Line of Booty" |
| Night of the Wolf | Sheriff Wade Messer | Television film | |
| Killer Bees! | Sheriff Lyndon Harris | ||
| 2004 | The District | Chris Gunner | Episode: "On Guard" |
| Zolar | Hedion | Television film | |
| 2004–2005 | Summerland | Kyle Bale | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Crimson Force | Captain Baskin | Television film |
| Ordinary Miracles | Jim Powell | ||
| H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds | George Herbert | ||
| The Poseidon Adventure | Doctor Matthew Ballard | ||
| ER | Vincent Janeson | Episode: "The Human Shield" | |
| 2006 | 24 | Barry Landes | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Celebracadabra | Himself | Contestant |
| Xenophobia | Stone | Television film | |
| A Gunfighter's Pledge | Horn | ||
| War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave | George Herbert | Also director; television film | |
| 2009–2013 | Southland | Bill "Dewey" Dudek | 27 episodes |
| 2009–2020 | Criminal Minds | George Foyet / The Boston Reaper | 6 episodes |
| 2010 | Psych | Agent Camden Driggs | Episode: "One, Maybe Two, Ways Out" |
| 2011 | The Glades | Peyton Robinson | Episode: "Second Skin" |
| Torchwood: Miracle Day | The Gentleman | Episode: "Escape to L.A." | |
| CHAOS | Carson Simms | Episode: "Proof of Life" | |
| Camel Spiders | Sheriff Ken Beaumont | Television film | |
| 2012 | Alphas | Eli Aquino | Episode: "The Quick and the Dead" |
| Revolution | Bounty Hunter | Episode: "Chained Heat" | |
| Castle | John Campbell | Episode: "Swan Song" | |
| Longmire | Ray Stewart | Episode: "A Damn Shame" | |
| Hawaii Five-0 | Martin Cordova | Episode: "Death Wish" | |
| Home Invasion | Ray | Television film | |
| 2013 | Horror Haiku | John Asher | Episode: "I Know What You Know" |
| Sons of Anarchy | Agent Frank Eagan | Episode: "One One Six" | |
| Blue Bloods | Alex Polanski | Episode: "Justice Served" | |
| An Amish Murder | Nathan Detrick | Television film | |
| Christmas Belle | Rex Everhart | ||
| 2014 | Grimm | Agent Weston Steward | 5 episodes |
| Category 5 | Charlie DuPuis | Television film | |
| 2014–2015 | Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce | Nate | 4 episodes |
| 2015 | Motive | Joe Hillis | Episode: "Reversal of Fortune" |
| Ties That Bind | Mr. Witherspoon | Episode: "Controlled Substance" | |
| Sleepy Hollow | Agent Mick Granger | Episode: "I, Witness" | |
| 2015–2017 | Stitchers | Daniel Stinger | 7 episodes |
| 2016 | Advance & Retreat | Nathan Shapiro | Television film |
| 2016–2018 | Animal Kingdom | Paul Belmont | 9 episodes |
| 2017 | Ray Donovan | Dr. Brogan | 4 episodes |
| Outcast | Simon Barnes | 3 episodes | |
| The Punisher | Carson Wolf | ||
| 2017–2021 | SEAL Team | Ash Spenser | 5 episodes |
| 2018 | The Blacklist | Earl Fagen | 2 episodes |
| MacGyver | Vasil | Episode: "Guts + Fuel + Hope" | |
| Dynasty | Max Van Kirk | 2 episodes | |
| The Good Cop | Chuck Everett | Episode: "Why Kill A Busboy?" | |
| 2018–2021 | The Walking Dead | Roy | 6 episodes |
| 2019 | Bosch | Louis Degner | 2 episodes |
| The Terror | Major Bowen | 4 episodes[33] | |
| 2021 | Creepshow | Samuel Spinster | Episode: "Dead and Breakfast/Pesticide " |
| 2023 | Will Trent | Warden Sturgill Hardly | Episode: "It's The Work I Signed Up For" |
| Obliterated | Harry Haggerty | 8 episodes[38] | |
| 2025 | 1923 | Anders | 3 episodes |
| Year | Title | Voice role |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Injustice 2 | Leonard Snart / Captain Cold |
| 2018 | Lego DC Super-Villains | Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash[33] |
| Year | Title | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | "Rose Hill" | Non-album single |
| 2022 | "Whiskey Demon" | Non-album single |
| 2022 | "Ponygirl" | Non-album single |
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2023 | American Storyteller |
