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. His father is Chris Howell a stunt coordinator. He is an owner and producer of Buckwheat Films. The C. abbreviation stands for Christopher Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1986" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 38. [1986] On trial for misdemeanors alleged in an accident with a skateboarder on 9 December 2000. The case was later dismissed. [30 October 2001] Child by second wife Sylvie: Isabelle Yasmine born 17 February 1993. Tested for the role of Marty McFLy in "Back to the Future" (1985). Child by second wife Sylvie Anderson, Dashiell Anderson Sage, born January 2, 1997. Child by second wife Sylvie Anderson, Liam West, born April 24, 2001. In 2003 he was hospitalized for 4 weeks because of a ruptured appendix, a very serious illness, fatal if not treated on time. He lost 45 pounds and surgeons had to take out 3 feet of his intestine among other things in order to save his life. That's the real reason behind his gaunt look in all his movies between 2003 and 2005. As of today he has fully recovered. He's currently working out with a trainer and he has already gained 12 pounds of muscles and his face has filled back. He's also following a strict protein and carbohydrate diet. He was nearly cast as Marty McFly in Back to the Future. The role was given to Eric Stoltz (who was later fired in the middle of filming) and then finally, Michael J. Fox. Born exactly one year after Jeffrey Wright; also shares his birthday with Eli Wallach, Ellen Burstyn, and the late Harry Chapin.