C. Thomas Howell begins by discussing his unconventional start in the industry, having grown up around stunts (his father was a stuntman) and being a child rodeo performer. He shares his experiences working on Steven Spielberg’s E.T., describing the set as a fun, comfortable environment where Spielberg used a video game trailer as motivation for the young actors.

He goes into great detail about the rigorous, multi-city audition process for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders, which helped the cast (including Patrick Swayze, Tom Cruise, Emilio Estevez, and others) bond like brothers. He recounts the filming of the famous rumble scene, noting that Coppola prioritized realism, which led to an unchoreographed punch that actually knocked him down.

Howell also touches on the intense, survival-course training for Red Dawn under director John Milius, and shares fond, often humorous, memories of working with his late friend Patrick Swayze on three films. He then calls The Hitcher a pivotal film in his career, praising director Robert Harmon and co-star Rutger Hauer, and explaining how Hauer’s acting philosophy later helped him land a role as a heavy on Criminal Minds. Answering an audience question about the infamous car scene in The Hitcher, he explains the brilliance of the film was in its tension and not showing the graphic violence.

Finally, he offers a critique of modern, effects-heavy filmmaking, championing great television and movies that prioritize humanity and story. He concludes by mentioning a then-upcoming project with Woody Harrelson and Rob Reiner, and expresses his gratitude for the connections he makes with fans at events like this.