An ex-child rodeo star, C. Thomas Howell was earmarked as one of the most promising young actors in the mid 1980s after an eye-catching performance in the teen coming-of-age epic The Outsiders. Other roles followed, 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. However, he did meet and fall in love with his co-star from that movie, Rae Dawn Chong, whom he later married.

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, Howell lives with his current wife Sylvie, and their three children Isabelle, Dashiell & Liam.


He was a junior rodeo circuit champion. He is an owner and producer of Buckwheat Films. Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1986" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 38. [1986] Child with second wife Sylvie Anderson, Isabelle Howell born 17 February 1993. Child with second wife Sylvie Anderson, Liam West, born April 24, 2001. He tested for and was nearly cast as Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985). The role was given to Eric Stoltz (who was later fired in the middle of filming) and then finally, Michael J. Fox. Was #73 in VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars. After winning the magic-performance Celeb-reality show "Celebracadabra" in 2008, he has reprised his show's character "Cherry" performing at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, Ca.