Christopher Thomas Howell (born December 7, 1966) 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 (1983). Following his breakout, Howell had starring roles in the films Tank (1984), Grandview, U.S.A. (1984), Red Dawn (1984), Secret Admirer (1985), and The Hitcher (1986). His lead role in the commercially successful yet controversial film Soul Man (1986) damaged his status as a leading man in Hollywood.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Thomas_Howell