Trivia

In 2003 he was hospitalized for 4 weeks because of a ruptured appendix, a very serious illness, fatal if not treated on time.

He lost 45 pounds and surgeons had to take out 3 feet of his intestine among other things in order to save his life. That's the real reason behind his gaunt look in all his movies between 2003 and 2005.

He turned down the role of Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid (1984).

He was a junior rodeo circuit champion.

He tested for and was nearly cast as Marty McFly in Back to the Future (1985). Because first choice Michael J. Fox was committed to his TV show Family Ties (1982), director Robert Zemeckis and co-writer Bob Gale had to look elsewhere. The two favorites were Howell and Eric Stoltz. Zemeckis and Gale preferred Howell, who provided a funnier take on the role than Stoltz, but studio head Sid Sheinberg insisted on Stoltz because of his impressive performance in the at that time still unreleased film Mask (1985). But after a few weeks filming, it was felt Stoltz wasn't giving the performance Zemeckis and Gale wanted and a deal was struck to cast Michael J. Fox in the lead after all.

Former son-in-law of Tommy Chong.

The C. abbreviation stands for Christopher.

Was #73 in VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.

His father is Chris Howell (born Christopher N. Thomas Howell, Sr.), a stunt coordinator.

He is an owner and producer of Buckwheat Films.

Listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1986" in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 38. (1986)

On trial for misdemeanors alleged in an accident with a skateboarder on 9 December 2000. The case was later dismissed. (October 30, 2001)

He and Dee Wallace both starred in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) and Secret Admirer (1985).

Child with second wife Sylvie Anderson, Liam Howell (aka "Liam West Howell"), born April 24, 2001.

He was considered for the role of Glen Lantz in A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984).

After winning the magic-performance Celeb-reality show Celebracadabra (2008) in 2008, he has reprised his show's character, "Cherry", and performing at The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.

Child with second wife Sylvie Anderson, Isabelle Howell born 17 February 1993.

He and Lori Loughlin reunited in her short-lived TV series Summerland (2004-2005).

Child with second wife Sylvie Anderson, Dashiell Howell, born January 2, 1997.

Born exactly one year after Jeffrey Wright; also shares his birthday with Eli Wallach, Ellen Burstyn, and the late Harry Chapin.

Before he got into acting, he considered following in his the footsteps of his father, Chris Howell, and become a stuntman. He decided to audition for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) after learning they needed at least one kid who could perform the bike riding acquired for the film. That way they would not have to rely on doubles only for the climactic chase scene.

Born on the 25 year anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.