Cigarettes Got Him His ‘E.T.’ Role as a Kid? Fascinating Stories About C. Thomas Howell
You may know him as the sensitive greaser Ponyboy Curtis in The Outsiders, or from his more recent role as Weinberger in 2024’s Reagan, but chances are you’ve enjoyed C. Thomas Howell in multiple films over the years. Howell has an impressive resumé, spanning from 1982’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to the recent Ride and Obliterated, with a whole lot of cool in between, including his Americana/southern rock albums and a recurring role as terrifying killer the Boston Reaper on Criminal Minds.
These days, however, the approachable C. Thomas Howell is known simply as Tommy Howell. As Howell celebrates his 58th birthday on Dec. 7, 2024, we dig up some crazy stories, answer some questions and just celebrate the guy who we want to “stay gold” forever.
So Why Did C. Thomas Howell Change His Name to Tommy Howell?
We asked the star this when he released his deeply personal debut album, American Storyteller. While Howell was holding court for his Nashville show Backstage With Tommy Howell & Friends, here’s what he shared: “Everyone has always called me Tommy and I never was a huge fan of the C. I am a junior. My father is in the same union [Chris Howell]. He’s a stuntman and we were both in SAG. I was either going to be a junior (Jr.) or take the C. My father, at the time, thought that was kind of cool and we went that way.
“When I came to Nashville, I wanted to become way more personal and approachable, so why carry that ‘C. Thomas’ tag? I just want to be a musician and tell my stories. I tried to do it in film, but the producers wouldn’t let me do it anymore since I am established. This was a fresh start with a new career, and I want people to know I am grounded and approachable and fun!” Well, we already knew the aforementioned, but mission accomplished.
What did the C stand for in C. Thomas Howell’s name?
Christopher. But no one ever called him C, nor really Christopher. Call him Tommy, people.
He Nearly Died From a Ruptured Appendix
This one was scary. A ruptured appendix in 2003 hospitalized Howell for almost four weeks; surgeons had to take out several feet of his intestines to save his life. He lost nearly 60 pounds during this ordeal, and it took quite some time after to recouperate. Following his experience years later, he executive produced and starred in the film Sick People (2015), which addresses the decision-making processes of the insurance world (like why coverage gets denied and why a plug won’t be pulled) in horrifying detail.
Everett Collection
Cigarettes Got Him the Part in E.T.
Howell is a great storyteller, and one of his stories involves getting cast as one of the main kids in E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. Originally, the person cast for his E.T. role was a “Mormon kid,” and the role required the kid to smoke a cigarette. “God knows why,” Howell laughs about Steven Spielberg’s casting requirements at the time. The kid backed out of the role. Howell’s father, who was established in the business as a stuntman and cowboy, headed to a 7-Eleven to pick up some Marlboros and gave them to 11-year-old Tommy to start practicing lighting. Once he was in front of Spielberg, he leaned into his pocket, grabbed a cig and proceeded to light one … and he got the job.
As a Child, He Showed John Travolta How to Ride a Mechanical Bull for Urban Cowboy
It sounds weird, but follow us here. Howell’s father was a stunt coordinator for Urban Cowboy (1980). “I was there riding the bucking machine to help John sort of advance along and get over the fear of it,” said Howell, “[especially] when he saw this little kid riding it, because my dad brought me down.” Another fun fact: Patrick Swayze’s mother was the dance choreographer, so Patrick worked with John Travolta on his two-step. So long before The Outsiders or Red Dawn, Howell met Patrick Swayze when he was about 11 or 12. A small world, indeed.
© Warner Brothers/courtesy Everett Collection
Howell Took a Real Punch in The Outsiders
The rumble scene in 1983’s The Outsiders was shot over the course of three nights. Weather didn’t cooperate for all three nights and the second night, it was pouring rain, which director Francis Ford Coppola incorporated into the scene. Well, the next night of shooting, there was no rain, so they needed to rely on a fire department to provide the water. This made the set wet and muddy.
The very first punch thrown in the rumble was from one of Howell’s friends, Reid Rondell. As the cameras rolled, Rondell slipped in the mud and tagged Howell on the chin for real. Howell never got to throw a punch like the script originally had, but Coppola loved the footage.
© MGM / Courtesy: Everett Collection
The Sheen Family Is His Second Family
Howell grew up with the Sheen family. He starred with Emilio Estevez in The Outsiders and did Red Dawn (pictured above) (1984) with Charlie Sheen when he was 16. At age 22, he starred in Gettysburg with Martin Sheen. “They were a second family to me growing up,” Howell shares.
He’s a Junior Rodeo Champion
Howell’s father was a stuntman and a real cowboy. Howell himself grew up riding horses and was California’s Junior Rodeo All-Around Champ for 1979, 1980 and 1981. “Horses are extremely therapeutic and grounding, they are amazing teachers. They reflect our souls and who we are back to ourselves,” Howell says on his website. “They are a reminder of who we really are and it’s one of the most important relationships that I’ve been able to experience on this planet.”
Songwriting and Music Are His Passion
“I’d rather be a little bit older strumming a guitar and telling y’all about it and sharing something with value and maybe imparting some wisdom or some life experiences on some youngsters that might need it rather than running from aliens trying to get paid,” Howell told Smashing Interviews Magazine.
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