View source for C. Thomas Howell

{{Short description|American actor (born 1966)}}
{{for|the rugby league footballer of the 1890s and 1900s|Tommy Howell}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = C. Thomas Howell
| image              = C. Thomas Howell 2013 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Howell at the 2013 [[Peabody Awards]]
| birth_name         = Christopher Thomas Howell
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1966|12|7}}
| birth_place        = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| other_names        = Tommy Howell<br />Tom Howell
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actor|director}}
| years_active       = 1972–present
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|[[Rae Dawn Chong]]|1989|1990|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Sylvie Anderson|1992|2016|reason=divorced}}{{marriage|Brandi Howell|2023}}
| children          = 4, 3 (with Sylvia) 1 (with 
Brooke Langton)| relatives         = [[Tommy Chong]] (former father-in-law)
}}}}

'''Christopher Thomas Howell''' (born December 7, 1966)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/c-thomas-howell-p33566|title=C. Thomas Howell|work=[[AllMovie]]|access-date=June 17, 2018}}</ref> is an American actor and director. After making his film debut with a supporting role in ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'' (1982), Howell had his breakout with a lead role as [[Ponyboy Curtis]] in the coming-of-age film ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]'' (1983).

Following his breakout, Howell had starring roles in the films ''[[Tank (film)|Tank]]'' (1984), ''[[Grandview, U.S.A.]]'' (1984), [[Red Dawn|''Red Dawn'']] (1984), ''[[Secret Admirer (film)|Secret Admirer]]'' (1985), and ''[[The Hitcher (1986 film)|The Hitcher]]'' (1986). His lead role in the commercially successful yet controversial film ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]'' (1986) damaged his status as a leading man in Hollywood.

In the 1990s, Howell starred in the films ''[[Side Out]]'' (1990), ''[[That Night]]'' (1992), and ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'' (1993), and had main roles as Detective Frank Kohanek on the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] horror television series ''[[Kindred: The Embraced]]'' (1996) and Dr. Alex Kennedy on the syndicated series ''[[Amazon (1999 TV series)|Amazon]]'' (1999–2000). He portrayed [[Baby Face Nelson]] in the biographical film ''[[Baby Face Nelson (1995 film)|Baby Face Nelson]]'' (1995). In the 2000s, Howell starred in the film ''[[Gods and Generals (film)|Gods and Generals]]'' (2003) and had a recurring, later main, role as Bill "Dewey" Dudek on the [[NBC]] and [[TNT (American TV network)|TNT]] crime drama series ''[[Southland (TV series)|Southland]]'' (2009–2013). He had a supporting role in the film ''[[Hidalgo (film)|Hidalgo]]'' (2004).

In the 2010s, Howell starred in the films ''[[Woodlawn (film)|Woodlawn]]'' (2015) and ''[[A Question of Faith]]'' (2017), and had a supporting role in the superhero film ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (film)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' (2012). He had voice roles in the superhero animated films ''[[Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox]]'' (2013), ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'' (2015), and ''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'' (2018). Howell also portrayed [[Walter Jenkins]] in the political drama film ''[[LBJ (2016 film)|LBJ]]'' (2016). In the 2020s, Howell had a main role as Hagerty on the [[Netflix]] series ''[[Obliterated]]'' (2023) and portrayed [[Caspar Weinberger]] in the biographical film ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]'' (2024).

==Early life==
Howell was born in the [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles|Van Nuys]] neighborhood of [[Los Angeles]] to Christopher N. and Candice Howell. He has three siblings.<ref name=About>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080724104358/http://www.cthomashowell.net/aboutct.htm aboutct]}}. Cthomashowell.net; retrieved  2011-12-03.</ref>

His father worked as a stunt coordinator and rodeo performer. He played the role of the Red Knight in [[Terry Gilliam]]’s ''[[The Fisher King]]''. As a young boy, Howell wanted to be a stuntman and was a child stunt performer. He was also a rodeo star.<ref name="troping">{{cite web |last1=Schiavino |first1=G.R. |title=From Ponyboy to Horseman: C. Thomas Howell |url=https://teamropingjournal.com/ropers-stories/from-ponyboy-to-horseman-c-thomas-howell |website=The Team Roping Journal |access-date=3 April 2021 |date=21 January 2021}}</ref>

When Howell was young, his parents divorced.<ref>[http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Normal_Kid/normal_kid.html Tommy Howell: I'm Just a Normal Kid!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722225910/http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Normal_Kid/normal_kid.html |date=2012-07-22 }}. Cthowell.net. Retrieved on 2011-12-03.</ref><ref>[http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Marriage/marriage.html Marriage] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722220753/http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Marriage/marriage.html |date=2012-07-22 }}. Cthowell.net. Retrieved on 2011-12-03.</ref> Howell graduated from [[Saugus High School (California)|Saugus High School]] in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2019/11/16/the-outsiders-star-c-thomas-howell-alma-mater-saugus-high-school-santa-clarita-shooting/|title=C. Thomas Howell Stunned Alma Mater's Site of Santa Clarita Shooting|website=TMZ|date=November 16, 2019}}</ref>

==Career==
Howell made his show business debut in the situation comedy ''[[The Brian Keith Show]]''. When he was older, he acted in commercials.<ref>[http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Cooking/cooking.html Cooking] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509212541/http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Cooking/cooking.html |date=2008-05-09 }}. Cthowell.net. Retrieved on 2011-12-03.</ref>

===1980s===
In 1982, Howell made his film debut as Tyler in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/et-the-extra-terrestrial-then-and-now/|title=See the Cast of 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' Then and Now|first=Britt |last=Hayes|website=ScreenCrush|date=21 May 2014 }}</ref>

At the age of 15 in 1981, Howell was cast in [[Francis Ford Coppola]]'s 1983 cinematic adaptation of [[S. E. Hinton]]'s [[The Outsiders (novel)|novel]], ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.looper.com/602999/whatever-happened-to-the-cast-of-the-outsiders/|title=Whatever Happened To The Cast Of The Outsiders?|first=Duncan|last=Carson|date=September 13, 2021|website=Looper.com}}</ref> Howell played the lead role of [[Ponyboy Curtis]], "the soulful tagalong greaser through whose eyes we see the events of the 1960s-set film unfold."<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1251920/whoa-ponyboy-the-cast-of-the-outsiders-then-and-now-will-blow-your-mind|title=Whoa, Ponyboy: The Cast of The Outsiders Then and Now Will Blow Your Mind|date=March 25, 2021|website=E! Online}}</ref> The coming-of-age film<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/the-outsiders-biggest-differences-movie-book/|title=The Outsiders: 15 Big Differences Between The Movie And The Book|date=October 5, 2020|website=ScreenRant}}</ref> went on to become a cult classic,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tulsapeople.com/about-town/coming-soon-the-outsiders-looking-better-than-weve-seen-it-before/article_3b6cd5d2-05ad-11ec-b3a6-2bf56e8b444b.html|title=Coming soon: 'The Outsiders' looking better than we've seen it before|first=Tim|last=Landes|website=TulsaPeople Magazine|date=25 August 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.top10films.co.uk/67926-win-francis-ford-coppolas-seminal-classic-the-outsiders-on-blu-ray/|title=WIN Francis Ford Coppola's Seminal Classic "The Outsiders" On Blu-Ray|website=top10films.co.uk|date=November 2, 2021|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=November 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108084313/https://www.top10films.co.uk/67926-win-francis-ford-coppolas-seminal-classic-the-outsiders-on-blu-ray/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and featured an ensemble cast that included [[Tom Cruise]], [[Matt Dillon]], [[Emilio Estevez]], [[Leif Garrett]], [[Diane Lane]], [[Rob Lowe]], [[Ralph Macchio]], and [[Patrick Swayze]].<ref name=thenandnow>{{cite web
|url=https://ew.com/the-outsiders-cast-then-and-now-11702692
|title=The Outsiders cast: See the actors over 40 years after the film made them mega-stars
|access-date=2025-06-28
|last=Fremont
|first=Maggie
|date=2025-03-25
|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]
}}</ref> Howell's portrayal of Ponyboy was his breakthrough role,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2010/05/02/in-need-of-more-mayhem/28940088007/|title=In need of more mayhem|first=George |last=Meyer|website=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|date=May 2, 2010}}</ref> and it earned him a Young Artist Award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/the-outsiders-cast-where-are-they-now/|title='The Outsiders' Cast: Where Are They Now?|website=USMagazine.com|date=May 12, 2022}}</ref>

In 1984, Howell and his ''Outsiders'' co-star [[Patrick Swayze]] reunited for ''[[Grandview, U.S.A.]]'' and ''[[Red Dawn]]'', Howell also had a pivotal role in ''[[Tank (film)|Tank]]''. In 1985, he starred in ''[[Secret Admirer (film)|Secret Admirer]]''. After filming ''The Outsiders'', Howell co-starred in his own television series ''[[Two Marriages]]'', which ended after four episodes, but letters of support got it back on air. He later expressed disappointment in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Two_Marriages/two_marriages.html|date=2008|title=Two Marriages|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509212533/http://www.cthowell.net/Articles/Two_Marriages/two_marriages.html|archivedate=2008-05-09|website=cthowell.net}}</ref>{{better source|date=May 2025}} 

Howell was one of two final actors in the running for the lead role of [[Marty McFly]] in ''[[Back to the Future]]'' (1985); the other was [[Eric Stoltz]]. Ultimately, [[Michael J. Fox]] was cast as Marty after Stoltz was deemed wrong for the part.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/09/the-lost-roles-of-back-to-the-future.html|title = The Lost Roles of 'Back to the Future'|website=Vulture.com|date = 20 September 2012}}</ref> In 1986, Howell was a hitchhiker's target in the horror film ''[[The Hitcher (1986 film)|The Hitcher]].'' He also starred in the 2003 sequel ''[[The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting]]''.<ref>{{cite web|website=[[/Film]]|title='The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting' Is The Kind Of Direct-To-Video Sequel That Can Really Ruin Your Day|author=Hunter, Rob|date=March 23, 2018|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/556887/the-hitcher-ii-dtv-descent/}}</ref> In 1986, Howell starred in the satire ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]'', a controversial film in which Howell appears in [[blackface]].<ref name="orlandosentinel"/>  The film was widely condemned and while it was a box office success, it did not help Howell's career.   Howell then played the young [[Arturo Toscanini]] in [[Franco Zeffirelli]]'s 1988 film ''[[Young Toscanini]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malcolm |first1=Derek |title=Soap opera with a capital O |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/260343750/?terms=zeffirelli%20toscanini%20taylor&match=1 |access-date=20 January 2023 |work=[[The Guardian]] |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |date=8 Sep 1988 |page=22 |language=en}}</ref>

===1990s===
In 1992, Howell starred in romantic drama ''[[That Night]]'' alongside actress [[Juliette Lewis]]. A film based on the novel of the same name by [[Alice McDermott]]. In 1993, Howell starred with [[Linda Fiorentino]] and [[Nancy Allen (actress)|Nancy Allen]] in the thriller ''[[Acting on Impulse]]''.  He then
achieved success in the film ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'', which was popular with history buffs and history classrooms. In 1995, he starred as Mike, a motorcycle courier in the poorly received ''[[Mad Dogs and Englishmen (film)|Mad Dogs and Englishmen]]'' (U.S. title: ''Shameless'') with [[Elizabeth Hurley]].

Following this, Howell starred in ''[[Payback (1995 film)|Payback]]'' and then played gangster [[Baby Face Nelson]] in [[Baby Face Nelson (1995 film)|the film of the same name]]. He starred in and made his directorial debut with the 1996 direct-to-video release ''[[Pure Danger]]'', which also featured [[Teri Ann Linn]] and comic [[Carrot Top]].

===2000s===
In 2000, Howell played a doctor stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash in the television show ''Amazon''. In 2004, he played [[serial killer]] [[Kenneth Bianchi]] in ''[[The Hillside Strangler (film)|The Hillside Strangler]]''.

In 2005, he starred in ''[[H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds (The Asylum film)|H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds]]'', one of three 2005 adaptations of the novel ''[[The War of the Worlds]]'' by [[H. G. Wells]]. Howell directed and starred in a straight-to-DVD sequel ''[[War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave]]'' in 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|title=War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave|url=https://tvguide.vg.no/program/war-of-the-worlds-2-the-next-wave|access-date=2021-02-17|website=VG TV-guide|language=no}}</ref> Also in 2005, he reunited with his ''Secret Admirer'' co-star [[Lori Loughlin]] when he had a recurring role on her television show ''[[Summerland (TV series)|Summerland]]'' as [[Zac Efron]]'s father.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} Howell appeared as a doctor in ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (2005 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'', an adaptation of the [[The Poseidon Adventure (1972 film)|1972 film of the same name]]. His father's first (uncredited) stunt co-ordination was for the original film.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180618061319/http://www.cthomashowell.net/poseidoninterview.htm Interview for the Poseidon Adventure Remake]}},  Cthomashowell.net; retrieved  2011-12-03.</ref>

In 2006, Howell starred in ''[[Hoboken Hollow]]''. He also became a supporter of the production company [[The Asylum]], which produced his straight-to-DVD films.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} In 2008, Howell directed and starred in ''[[The Day the Earth Stopped]]'', a [[mockbuster]] intended to capitalize on ''[[The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008 film)|The Day the Earth Stood Still]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-11-11|title=Commentary: Fox takes action against 'Day the Earth Stopped'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/commentary-fox-takes-action-day-122770|access-date=2021-02-17|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref>

Beginning in 2009, Howell [[guest star]]red in ''[[Criminal Minds]]'' on [[CBS]] as serial killer George Foyet (The Boston Reaper), a recurring villain based on [[The Boston Strangler]].{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} Also beginning in 2009, he played the role of Officer Bill "Dewey" Dudek, a police officer recovering from alcoholism, in the L.A. police drama ''[[Southland (TV series)|Southland]]''.<ref>{{cite web|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/05/22/southland-nbc/?srsltid=AfmBOookjGycni-xyATK5agnXRZwe-rjI14Iel1AsOTlFsLWB7XaVR4x|title='Southland' season finale: so tense, so good|date=May 22, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|title='Southland' makes C Thomas Howell series regular for season five|author=Jeffery, Morgan|date=November 9, 2012|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a436907/southland-makes-c-thomas-howell-series-regular-for-season-five/}}</ref>

===2010s and 2020s===
In 2011, Howell guest starred as an inmate on ''[[The Glades (TV series)|The Glades]]'' and in ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]''.<ref>[http://www.denofgeek.com/television/793926/torchwood_miracle_day_casting_news.html Torchwood: Miracle Day casting news] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211200454/http://www.denofgeek.com/television/793926/torchwood_miracle_day_casting_news.html |date=2012-02-11 }}. Den of Geek; retrieved 2011-12-03.</ref>

Howell appeared in the 2012 film ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (2012 film)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Franich|first1=Darren|title='Spider-Man': C. Thomas Howell joins the reboot |url=https://ew.com/article/2011/01/10/spider-man-c-thomas-howell/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=October 25, 2019|date=January 10, 2011}}</ref>

Starting in 2015, Howell has had a [[recurring role]] as Dr. Daniel Stinger in the Freeform show ''[[Stitchers (TV series)|Stitchers]]''. In 2017, he had a recurring role as Ash Spenser, a retired Navy SEAL, in the CBS show ''[[SEAL Team (TV series)|SEAL Team]]''.

In 2016 and 2018, Howell had a recurring guest-star role as Paul Belmont, a [[United States Navy]] [[Lieutenant commander (United States)|Lieutenant Commander]] at [[Camp Pendleton]], in Seasons 1 and 3 of ''[[Animal Kingdom (TV series)|Animal Kingdom]]''.

In 2023, Howell starred in ''[[Obliterated]]'' on [[Netflix]] as Harry Haggerty.

==Personal life==
In the 1980s, Howell dated actress [[Kyle Richards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/news/177132_kyle_richards_reveals_the_famous_actor_she_lost_her_virginity_to|title=Kyle Richards Reveals the Famous Actor She Lost Her Virginity To |website=www.etonline.com|last=Bueno |first=Antoinette |date=December 1, 2015 }}</ref> In 1989, he married actress [[Rae Dawn Chong]], whom he met while co-starring with her in the 1986 film ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]''.<ref name="orlandosentinel">{{cite web|last=Moca|first=Diane |title=CHONG, HOWELL: SOUL MATES SINCE 'SOUL MAN'|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-1990-06-27-9006270192-story.html|access-date=2021-08-30|website=OrlandoSentinel.com|date=27 June 1990 |language=en-US}}</ref> They divorced the following year.<ref>{{cite web|first=Greg|last=Braxton|date=1990-07-24|title=PEOPLE WATCH|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-24-ca-529-story.html|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Howell married his second wife, Sylvie Anderson, in 1992, and the couple had three children.<ref name="hollywood2">{{cite web |date=2016-03-07 |title=C. Thomas Howell's wife files for divorce |url=http://www.hollywood.com/general/c-thomas-howells-wife-files-for-divorce-60549426/ |access-date=2021-08-30 |website=Hollywood.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Anderson filed for divorce in 2016.<ref name="hollywood2" />

In November 2001, Howell was [[acquitted]] of five [[misdemeanor]] charges, including hit and run and brandishing a weapon arising out of a confrontation with a skateboarder in Southern California.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Jury-acquits-actor-Howell-2860912.php|title=Jury acquits actor Howell |website=SFGate.com |date=November 8, 2001}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year 
! Title
! Role 
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1982 || ''[[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial]]'' || Tyler || Credited as Tom Howell
|-
| 1983 || ''[[The Outsiders (film)|The Outsiders]]'' || [[Ponyboy Curtis]] || 
|-
| rowspan=3|1984 ||''[[Tank (film)|Tank]]'' || Billy ||
|-
| ''[[Grandview, U.S.A.]]'' || Tim Pearson ||
|-
| ''[[Red Dawn]]'' || Robert Morris || 
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Secret Admirer (film)|Secret Admirer]]'' || Michael Ryan ||
|-
| rowspan=2|1986 || ''[[The Hitcher (1986 film)|The Hitcher]]'' || Jim Halsey ||
|-
| ''[[Soul Man (film)|Soul Man]]'' || Mark Watson ||
|-
| 1987 || ''[[A Tiger's Tale]]'' || Bubber Drumm ||
|-"
| 1988 || ''[[Young Toscanini]]'' || [[Arturo Toscanini]] || 
|-
| 1989 || ''[[The Return of the Musketeers]]'' || Raoul ||
|-
| rowspan=3|1990 || ''[[Far Out Man]]'' || Himself ||
|-
| ''[[Side Out]]'' || Monroe Clark ||
|-
| ''[[Kid (1990 film)|Kid]]'' || Kid ||
|-
| 1991 || ''[[Nickel & Dime]]'' ||Jack Stone ||
|-
| rowspan=3|1992 || ''[[Breaking the Rules (film)|Breaking the Rules]]'' || Gene Michaels ||
|-
| ''[[That Night]]'' || Rick ||
|-
| ''To Protect and Serve'' || Egan ||
|-
| rowspan=2|1993 || ''[[Gettysburg (1993 film)|Gettysburg]]'' || [[Thomas Chamberlain (soldier)|Thomas Chamberlain]] ||
|-
| ''Treacherous'' || Micky Stewart ||
|-
| rowspan=2|1994 || ''[[Jailbait (1994 film)|Jailbait]]'' || Sergeant Lee Teffler || [[Direct-to-video]]
|-
| ''[[Teresa's Tattoo]]'' || Carl ||
|-
| rowspan=5|1995 || ''[[Payback (1995 film)|Payback]]'' || Oscar Bonsetter ||
|-
| ''Dangerous Indiscretion'' || Jim ||
|-
| ''[[Mad Dogs and Englishmen (film)|Mad Dogs and Englishmen]]'' || Mike || 
|-
| ''Hourglass'' || Michael Jardine || rowspan=3|Direct-to-video
|-
| ''[[Baby Face Nelson (1995 film)|Baby Face Nelson]]'' || [[Baby Face Nelson]]
|-
| rowspan=2|1996 || ''[[The Sweeper]]'' || Mark Goddard
|-
| ''[[Pure Danger]]'' || Johnie Dean || rowspan=2|Also director; Direct-to-video
|-
| rowspan=6|1997 || ''[[The Big Fall]]'' || Blaise Rybeck
|-
| ''[[Laws of Deception]]'' || Evan Marino ||
|-
| ''Last Lives'' || Aaron ||
|-
| ''[[Sleeping Dogs (1997 film)|Sleeping Dogs]]'' || Sanchez Boon || Direct-to-video
|-
| ''Dilemma'' || Thomas "Quin" Quinlan || 
|-
| ''[[Matter of Trust]]'' || Michael D'Angelo ||
|-
| rowspan=3|1998 || ''Shepherd'' || Boris Dakota ||
|-
| ''[[Charades (film)|Charades]]'' || Evan ||
|-
| ''Fatal Affair'' || Malcolm "Mack" Maddox ||
|-
| rowspan=6|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 ||
|-
| rowspan=2|2000 || ''The Million Dollar Kid'' || Valentino ||
|-
| ''[[Hot Boyz (film)|Hot Boyz]]'' || Officer Roberts || Direct-to-video
|-
| rowspan=4|2001 || ''XCU: Extreme Close Up'' || Geoffrey Liddy ||
|-
| ''Separate Ways'' || Tom Milton ||
|-
| ''Asylum Days'' || Nathan Devine ||
|-
| ''Askari'' || Joss McKinley ||
|-
| 2002 || ''[[WillFull]]'' || Nat Wolff ||
|-
| rowspan=3|2003 || ''Net Games'' || Adam Vance ||
|-
| ''[[Gods and Generals (film)|Gods and Generals]]'' || Thomas Chamberlain ||
|-
| ''[[The Hitcher II: I've Been Waiting]]'' || Jim Halsey || Direct-to-video
|-
| rowspan=5|2004 || ''[[Hidalgo (film)|Hidalgo]]'' || Preston Webb ||
|-
| ''Nursie'' || Zack ||
|-
| ''[[The Hillside Strangler (film)|The Hillside Strangler]]'' || [[Kenneth Bianchi]] || 
|-
| ''A Killer Within'' || Addison Terrill ||
|-
| ''The Lost Angel'' || Kuratha || 
|-
| rowspan=2|2005 || ''[[Glass Trap]]'' || Curtis || Direct-to-video
|-
| ''[[The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam]]'' || Coach Fielding ||
|-
| rowspan=3|2006 ||''[[Hoboken Hollow]]'' || Clayton Connelly || rowspan=2|Direct-to-video
|-
| ''[[The Da Vinci Treasure]]'' || Michael Archer
|-
| ''[[The Far Side of Jericho]]'' || "Little Jimmy" Thornton ||
|-
| rowspan=4|2007 || ''The Haunting of Marsten Manor'' || Captain Williams ||
|-
| ''Fighting Words'' || David Settles ||
|-
| ''The Stolen Moments of September'' || Sisner ||
|-
| ''[[Dead Letters (film)|Dead Letters]]'' || KC ||
|-
| rowspan=7|2008 || ''House of Fallen'' || Thomas ||
|-
| ''Big Game'' || Cody "Sully" Sullivan ||
|-
| ''[[Toxic (2008 film)|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 || 
|-
| rowspan=6|2009 || ''[[The Jailhouse]]'' || Seth Delray ||
|-
| ''[[The Land That Time Forgot (2009 film)|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 ||
|-
| rowspan=4|2010 || ''Street Poet'' || David ||
|-
| ''The Terror Experiment'' || Chief Grasso ||
|-
| ''Flatline'' || Teacher ||
|-
| ''Cupid's Arrow'' || Professor Grimes ||
|-
| 2011 || ''Restitution'' || John Youngstown || 
|-
| rowspan=6|2012 || ''Wedding Day'' || Russ ||
|-
| ''Commander and Chief'' || Shrub ||
|-
| ''[[The Amazing Spider-Man (2012 film)|The Amazing Spider-Man]]'' || Troy || 
|-
| ''[[Chilly Christmas]]'' || Patrick Cole || Direct-to-video
|-
| ''MoniKa'' || Double ||
|-
| ''[[Escape (2012 American film)|Escape]]'' || Paul Jordan || Direct-to-video
|-
| rowspan=5|2013 || ''Don't Pass Me By'' || Jack ||
|-
| ''The Devil's Dozen'' || Tom ||
|-
| ''Lost on Purpose'' || Delbert Fergeson ||
|-
| ''[[Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox]]'' || [[Eobard Thawne|Eobard Thawne / Professor Zoom]] || [[Voice acting|Voice]]; Direct-to-video<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=C. Thomas Howell (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/C-Thomas-Howell/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
|-
| ''[[Storm Rider (2013 film)|Storm Rider]]'' || Mitch ||
|-
| rowspan=4|2014 || ''[[Confessions of a Womanizer]]'' || Tony ||
|-
| ''[[Bigfoot Wars]]'' || Zeke || 
|-
| ''A Magic Christmas'' || Jack Carter ||
|-
| ''Borrowed Moments'' || Jack ||
|-
| rowspan=7|2015 || ''Spirit Riders'' || Keith ||
|-
| ''Rivers 9'' || Sheriff Quentin ||
|-
| ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'' || [[Will Magnus]] || Voice; Direct-to-video<ref>{{Cite web |last=Damore |first=Meagan |date=July 28, 2015 |title=SDCC: ''Justice League: Gods and Monsters'' Cast & Crew Spill Alternate Reality Secrets |url=https://www.cbr.com/sdcc-justice-league-gods-and-monsters-cast-crew-spill-alternate-reality-secrets/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
|-
| ''[[Woodlawn (film)|Woodlawn]]'' || Coach George "Shorty" White || 
|-
| ''A Christmas Eve Miracle'' || Jack Carter ||
|-
| ''Magic Hour'' || Tom Worthy ||
|-
| ''Lazarus Rising'' || Silent Cal ||
|-
| rowspan=4|2016 || ''Blood Lust'' || Ryan ||
|-
| ''[[Attack of the Killer Donuts]]'' || Officer Rogers ||
|-
| ''[[LBJ (2016 film)|LBJ]]'' || [[Walter Jenkins]] ||
|-
| ''Sick People'' || Dr. Sam Zimmerman ||
|-
| rowspan=3|2017 || ''The Shadow People'' || Kaine || 
|-
| ''Disconnected'' || Robert Crawford ||
|-
| ''[[A Question of Faith]]'' || John Danielson || 
|-
| rowspan=5|2018 || ''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'' || Eobard Thawne / Professor Zoom || Voice; Direct-to-video<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trumbore |first=Dave |date=January 11, 2018 |title=''Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay'' Cast, Images Revealed |url=https://collider.com/suicide-squad-hell-to-pay-cast-images/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
|-
| ''Dirty Dealing 3D'' || Carter ||
|-
| ''The Rack Pack'' || Ted ||
|-
| ''[[Shifting Gears (film)|Shifting Gears]]'' || Jenkins ||
|-
| ''My B.F.F.'' || Ben Wilkens ||
|-
| rowspan=2|2019 || ''[[Dauntless: The Battle of Midway]]'' || Captain [[Miles Browning]] || Direct-to-video
|-
| ''Rich Boy, Rich Girl'' || Blake ||
|-
| 2020 || ''[[Beast Mode (film)|Beast Mode]]'' || Breen Nash ||
|-
| rowspan=2|2023 || ''[[Old Dads]]'' || Ed Cameron ||
|-
| ''Crimson Point'' || Frank ||
|-
| rowspan=2|2024 || ''[[Ride (2024 film)|Ride]]'' || John Hawkins ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=January 17, 2023 |title=C. Thomas Howell, Annabeth Gish & Forrie J. Smith To Lead Rodeo Crime Pic ''Ride'' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/annabeth-gish-yellowstone-forrie-smith-c-thomas-howell-ride-movie-1235224519/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]'' || [[Caspar Weinberger]] ||<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Simon |date=February 11, 2021 |title=C. Thomas Howell Talks Joining ''Reagan'' Cast And ''The Hitcher'' Turning 35 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2021/02/11/c-thomas-howell-talks-joining-reagan-cast-and-the-hitcher-turning-35/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year 
! Title 
! Role 
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1972–1974 || ''[[The Brian Keith Show]]'' || {{n/a}} || Unknown episodes
|-
| 1983 || ''[[Two Marriages]]'' || Scott Morgan || Episode: "Relativity"
|-
| 1985–1986 || ''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' || Waiter / Postal Worker || 2 episodes
|-
| 1989 || ''[[Nightmare Classics]]'' || Jenner Brading || Episode: "The Eyes of the Panther"
|-
| 1990 || ''Curiosity Kills'' || Cat Thomas || rowspan=5|[[Television film]]
|-
| 1992 || ''Tattle Tale'' || Bernard Sprat
|-
| 1993 || ''[[Acting on Impulse]]'' || Paul Stevens
|-
| 1994 || ''Natural Selection'' || Ben Braden / Alex Connelly
|-
| 1995 || ''[[Suspect Device (film)|Suspect Device]]'' || Dan Jerico
|-
| 1996 || ''[[Kindred: The Embraced]]'' || Frank Kohanek || 8 episodes
|-
| 1997 || ''Dead Fire'' || Tucker || rowspan=2|Television film
|-
| rowspan=4|1998 || ''Sealed with a Kiss'' || Detective Mick Cullen
|-
| ''[[The Outer Limits (1995 TV series)|The Outer Limits]]'' || Captain Miles Davidlow || Episode: "The Joining"
|-
| ''[[V.I.P. (American TV series)|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 (1999 TV series)|Amazon]]'' || Dr. Alex Kennedy || 22 episodes
|-
| rowspan=2|2000 || ''[[Twice in a Lifetime (TV series)|Twice in a Lifetime]]'' || Tony || Episode: "The Escaped Artist"
|-
| ''Lawless: Dead Evidence'' || Dean Riley || Television film
|-
| rowspan=3|2002 || ''[[Son of the Beach]]'' || Jason Dudikoff || Episode: "In the Line of Booty"
|-
| ''Night of the Wolf'' || Sheriff Wade Messer || rowspan=2|Television film
|-
| ''Killer Bees!'' || Sheriff Lyndon Harris
|-
| rowspan=2|2004 || ''[[The District]]'' || Chris Gunner || Episode: "On Guard"
|-
| ''Zolar'' || Hedion || Television film
|-
| 2004–2005 || ''[[Summerland (TV series)|Summerland]]'' || Kyle Bale || 2 episodes
|-
| rowspan=5|2005 || ''Crimson Force'' || Captain Baskin || rowspan=4|Television film
|-
| ''[[Ordinary Miracles]]'' || Jim Powell
|-
| ''[[H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds (The Asylum film)|H. G. Wells' War of the Worlds]]'' || George Herbert
|-
| ''[[The Poseidon Adventure (2005 film)|The Poseidon Adventure]]'' || Doctor Matthew Ballard
|-
| ''[[ER (TV series)|ER]]'' || Vincent Janeson || Episode: "The Human Shield"
|-
| 2006 || ''[[24 (TV series)|24]]'' || Barry Landes || 2 episodes
|-
| rowspan=4|2008 || ''[[Celebracadabra]]'' || Himself || Contestant
|-
| ''Xenophobia'' || Stone || rowspan=2|Television film
|-
| ''[[A Gunfighter's Pledge]]'' || Horn
|-
| ''[[War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave]]'' || George Herbert || Also director; Television film
|-
| 2009–2013 || ''[[Southland (TV series)|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"
|-
| rowspan=4|2011 || ''[[The Glades (TV series)|The Glades]]'' || Peyton Robinson || Episode: "Second Skin"
|-
| ''[[Torchwood: Miracle Day]]'' || The Gentleman || Episode: "Escape to L.A."
|-
| ''[[CHAOS (TV series)|CHAOS]]'' || Carson Simms || Episode: "Proof of Life"
|-
| ''Camel Spiders'' || Sheriff Ken Beaumont || Television film
|-
| rowspan=6|2012 || ''[[Alphas]]'' || Eli Aquino || Episode: "The Quick and the Dead"
|-
| ''[[Revolution (TV series)|Revolution]]'' || Bounty Hunter || Episode: "Chained Heat"
|-
| ''[[Castle (TV series)|Castle]]'' || John Campbell || Episode: "Swan Song"
|-
| ''[[Longmire (TV series)|Longmire]]'' || Ray Stewart || Episode: "A Damn Shame"
|-
| ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]'' || Martin Cordova || Episode: "Death Wish"
|-
| ''Home Invasion'' || Ray || Television film
|-
| rowspan=5|2013 || ''Horror Haiku'' || John Asher || Episode: "I Know What You Know"
|-
| ''[[Sons of Anarchy]]'' || Agent Frank Eagan || Episode: "One One Six"
|-
| ''[[Blue Bloods (TV series)|Blue Bloods]]'' || Alex Polanski || Episode: "Justice Served"
|-
| ''An Amish Murder'' || Nathan Detrick || rowspan=2|Television film
|-
| ''Christmas Belle'' || Rex Everhart
|-
| rowspan=2|2014 || ''[[Grimm (TV series)|Grimm]]'' || Agent Weston Steward || 5 episodes
|-
| ''Category 5'' || Charlie DuPuis || Television film
|-
| 2014–2015 || ''[[Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce]]'' || Nate || 4 episodes
|-
| rowspan=3|2015 || ''[[Motive (TV series)|Motive]]'' || Joe Hillis || Episode: "Reversal of Fortune"
|-
| ''[[Ties That Bind (TV series)|Ties That Bind]]'' || Mr. Witherspoon || Episode: "Controlled Substance"
|-
| ''[[Sleepy Hollow (TV series)|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 (TV series)|Animal Kingdom]]'' || Paul Belmont || 9 episodes
|-
| rowspan=3|2017 || ''[[Ray Donovan]]'' || Dr. Brogan || 4 episodes
|-
| ''[[Outcast (TV series)|Outcast]]'' || Simon Barnes || rowspan=2|3 episodes 
|-
| ''[[The Punisher (TV series)|The Punisher]]'' || Carson Wolf
|-
| 2017–2021|| ''[[SEAL Team (TV series)|SEAL Team]]'' || Ash Spenser || 5 episodes
|-
| rowspan=4|2018 || ''[[The Blacklist]]'' || Earl Fagen || 2 episodes
|-
| ''[[MacGyver (2016 TV series)|MacGyver]]'' || Vasil || Episode: "Guts + Fuel + Hope" 
|-
| ''[[Dynasty (2017 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' || Max Van Kirk || 2 episodes
|-
| ''[[The Good Cop (American TV series)|The Good Cop]]'' || Chuck Everett || Episode: "Why Kill A Busboy?"
|-
| 2018–2021 || ''[[The Walking Dead (TV series)|The Walking Dead]]'' || Roy || 6 episodes
|-
| rowspan=2|2019 || ''[[Bosch (TV series)|Bosch]]'' || Louis Degner || 2 episodes
|-
| ''[[The Terror (TV series)|The Terror]]'' || Major Bowen || 4 episodes<ref name="btva" />
|-
| 2021 || ''[[Creepshow (TV series)|Creepshow]]'' || Samuel Spinster || Episode: "Dead and Breakfast/Pesticide "
|-
| rowspan=2|2023 || ''[[Will Trent]]'' || Warden Sturgill Hardly || Episode: "It's The Work I Signed Up For" 
|-
| ''[[Obliterated]]''
| Harry Haggerty
| 8 episodes<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=July 21, 2022 |title=''Obliterated'': Netflix Comedy Series Adds Six To Cast |url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/obliterated-netflix-comedy-series-cast-terrence-terrell-alyson-gorske-c-thomas-howell-eugene-kim-paola-lazaro-amalia-yoo-1235073535/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year 
! Title
! Voice role 
|-
| 2017 || ''[[Injustice 2]]'' || [[Captain Cold|Leonard Snart / Captain Cold]]
|-
| 2018 || ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'' || [[Eobard Thawne|Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash]]<ref name="btva" />
|}

== Discography ==

=== Singles ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
!Year
!Title
!Album
|-
|2022
|"Rose Hill"
|Non-album single 
|-
|2022
|"Whiskey Demon"
|Non-album single
|-
|2022
|"Ponygirl"
|Non-album single
|}

=== Albums ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Year
!Title
|-
|2023
|''American Storyteller''
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|1367|C. Thomas Howell}}
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgYK0MILcA  THE OUTSIDERS Reunion with Francis Ford Coppola, Ralph Macchio & C. Thomas Howell] –  50th [[American Film Institute]], Life Achievement Award to [[Francis Ford Coppola]],  April 26, 2025.

{{C. Thomas Howell}}
{{Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Howell, C. Thomas}}
[[Category:1966 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:American male child actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Los Angeles]]
[[Category:People from Van Nuys, Los Angeles]]