Actor C. Thomas Howell, Part Two: Rodeos and UFOs

In this second part of my exclusive interview with C. Thomas Howell, I wanted to know from his own words about his experience in the rodeo and find out what that was like for him to grow up in that arena.

Debra Campbell: Tom what were your early years like?

C. Thomas Howell: My parents separated when I was two or three years old and I was raised by my father, Chris Howell, who was this invincible larger-than-life cowboy that rode bulls for a living. He eventually became a top Hollywood stuntman which was my introduction into the business. My great grandfather was also a stuntman who was killed on the set of director John Ford’s Stage Coach.

Growing up, I planned on becoming a stuntman as well. When I was a kid we had an old Dodge Charger with a roll bar that my father used to practice precision driving with. He would set up pipe ramps and flip that thing over and over. I was about 10 years old when he strapped me in and let me try it. I think the neighbors thought we were crazy, but, it was just normal stuff for us. I loved growing up that way.

As a boy I started competing in the sport of rodeo. The challenges I experienced in the arena made it easier for me to become an actor. In 1979, 1980 and 1981, I was ‘California State Junior All Around Champion.’ I competed in four of the seven events offered, Tie Down Roping, Ribbon Roping, Bull Riding and my favorite event, Team Roping. In order to be an all-around champion you must win the most in more than one event. I was very driven as a child and dreamed of becoming a professional cowboy.

My specialty was Team Roping. In Team Roping two cowboys go after a steer. One ropes the horns the other the hind legs. The one that ropes the hind legs is called a ‘heeler.’ That was my job. Growing up, competing in rodeo gave me an edge as a child. During auditions, I can remember meeting Spielberg for E.T. and was amazed at how intimidated everyone around him was. I just knew he wasn’t a 1,500 pound bull so how scary could he be?

The gifts my father taught me were the ability to ride horses and be close to nature. That introduced me to my spiritual self. At a young age, I had a strong ability to communicate with animals. You learn to sense and understand what they need. I remember going out in the hills to find lost cattle. I would locate the strays, lead them back to the ranch and take care of them.

Campbell: It is intriguing that working in the rodeo could lead you on such a journey to be a healer. I am always interested in how people find their spiritual path. How do you use your abilities to help others?

Howell: It’s ironic that I grew up being a 'heeler' in the arena and now I’m a “healer” on stage. It makes sense though. Working with animals gave me a sense of love and sort of a telepathic way of communicating with them.

 I call it 'Tapping the Source.' Animal trainers do it and others with a sixth sense understand what I’m referring to. It enables you to communicate with the heart and soul of animals as well as with people. That ability has been beneficial to me and my work as an actor. Those skills allow me to reach people on a deeper level. I utilize those tools not only during performances but also when I speak with young people in schools and groups. It allows me to connect with them on a very personal level.

Campbell: How did you go from competing in rodeo to one of your first movies ET.? How did that impact you?

Howell: I was used to being on movie sets because my father was working in Hollywood doing stunts, so there was a certain comfort level already there for me. Spielberg cast me because I could do the 'bike stunts' that were required. He had cast the other actors and most of them weren’t particularly athletic and he didn’t want to always be cutting to doubles during those sequences. So, I guess you could say that I was hired as a stuntman that could act.

Campbell: There were some interesting things that happened after doing that movie? Do you care to share them?

Howell: I’ll probably take some heat for this, but sure, no problem. The first thing I noticed was that it opened up the sky a bit more for me. I became a 'watcher,' I began seeing what I guess people would call UFOs after that movie.

Campbell: Could you explain further?

Howell: One night when we were headed back to the ranch, I noticed three glowing balls of light following alongside our truck. This group of lights cut across the canyon and started following us home. The orbs settled over the house for the next three to four hours. I tell you it was an amazing thing. The most incredible part was the behavior of the animals. Usually at night they are calm…very calm.

Yet this night with the lights above our house the animals became extremely agitated. The cattle were moving around in the pens, mooing loudly. The horses were bucking and jumping, the cats came out and were going nuts running up and down the trees. The dogs were barking and howling. The next thing you know each of the craft or UFOs released three smaller lights, beacons if you will, then, as quickly as they showed up, they disappeared. This is a story I haven’t shared much due to public judgment, but I swear it’s true! It was wild.”

Campbell: What do you think it means? Do you feel there are actually UFOs?

Howell: Well I do believe that in the infinity of the expansive universe we live in anything is possible. Can I prove it? No. Do I believe it? Yes! We just don’t have all the information and I for one believe in having an open mind. It was a profound moment for me and my family.

It makes me focus on the fact that anything is possible and I think that’s the way we should all be…open and aware.

The third interview will be about Howell's experiences filming the Outsiders and what it was like to be Pony Boy.