The Outsiders brings the S.E. Hinton novel to life and features a cast full of future stars playing the book's many characters. Released in 1983 to high critical praise, the Francis Ford Coppola-directed cult classic tells the story of a gang of teens in the '60s who must deal with the consequences of their violent lifestyle. Unflinching in its approach to storytelling, The Outsiders weaves a lyrical and gripping narrative that puts it head and shoulders above the usual coming-of-age movies of the '80s, and it made legitimate stars out of most of its ensemble cast.
Essentially introducing the group known affectionately as the "Brat Pack" to the movie-going public, The Outsiders collected an eclectic mix of young actors who became some of the biggest box office draws of the '80s. While actors like Patrick Swayze and Tom Cruise went on to be iconic leading men, ing actors like Emilio Estevez and C. Thomas Howell also soon became major movie stars. Though The Outsiders has big differences from the novel, it boils the story down to its essence and assembles one of the strongest casts of its era. Here's a guide to the stars of The Outsiders and what else they're known for.
C. Thomas Howell As Ponyboy Curtis
Played by C. Thomas Howell, Ponyboy Curtis is the young protagonist of The Outsiders, and his naive nature leads him to get caught up in the fight between the Greasers and the Socs. A quintessential teen actor of the '80s Howell debuted as Tyler in 1982's E.T. the Extraterrestrial. Though Howell's most famous role came in the cast of The Outsiders, he also made a name for himself when he reunited with his co-star Patrick Swayze to play Robert Morris in the teen action film Red Dawn and Tim Pearson in Grandview, U.S.A., both released in 1984. That decade, he also starred in Soul Man, The Hitcher, and Secret irer.
Ralph Macchio As Johnny Cade
Johnny Cade is Ponyboy's best friend and a devoted member of the Greasers played by Ralph Macchio. Young Macchio made a name for himself in the cast of The Outsiders, but his star-making performance came in 1984 when he played Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid. Macchio also plays Billy in the 1992 comedy hit My Cousin Vinny and eventually returned to the Karate Kid and Cobra Kai timeline when he reprised his role as Daniel in the latter show.
Matt Dillon As Dallas "Dally" Winston
Another best friend to Ponyboy, Dallas "Dally" Winston is a hard-hearted member of the Greasers who is actually quite affectionate under the surface. He is played by Matt Dillon in the movie. Yet another of The Outsiders' teen idols, Dillon eventually transitioned to more adult roles when he starred as Bob in 1989's Drugstore Cowboy. He found great success in movies like 1998's There's Something About Mary where he played Pat Healy, and as a leading man, Dillon scored an Oscar nomination when he played Sgt. Ryan in the divisive 2004 film Crash.
Patrick Swayze As Darrel "Darry" Curtis
Patrick Swayze plays Darrel "Darry" Curtis, the protective older brother of Ponyboy and Sodapop who grew up too fast after his parents died. When he ed the cast of The Outsiders, Swayze had only appeared in one other movie, but he soon followed it up with parts that would make him a star. In 1987, Dirty Dancing made Swayze a household name when he played Johnny Castle, and with the role of Sam in 1990's Ghost, the actor cemented himself as a legitimate star, going on to lead such popular movies as Road House and Point Break. Swayze ed away in 2009 at the age of 57.
Rob Lowe As Sodapop Curtis
Played by Rob Lowe, Sodapop is the charismatic middle Curtis brother noted for his undeniable charm and his movie-star good looks. Following his casting in The Outsiders, Lowe continued his success as an '80s teen star in the "Brat Pack" when he starred as Billy Hicks in 1985's St. Elmo's Fire. Seven years later, he played the villain in Wayne's World. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Lowe transitioned into a TV star with long-running roles like Sam Seaborn on The West Wing and Chris Traeger on the comedy Parks and Recreation, earning an Emmy nomination for the former.
Emilio Estevez As Keith "Two-Bit" Mathews
Keith "Two-Bit" Mathews is the jokester of the Greasers, and his happy-go-lucky attitude was brought to life by Emilio Estevez in the cast of The Outsiders. Hailing from the legendary Sheen/Estevez family of Hollywood, Emilio Estevez continued his success with The Outsiders when he appeared as Andrew Clark in the teen dramedy hit The Breakfast Club in 1985. Then 1988's Young Guns saw Estevez top-billed as Billy the Kid, and he also played Gordon Bombay in the 1992 family sports classic The Mighty Ducks.
Tom Cruise As Steve Randle
Steve Randle is best friends with Sodapop, and the cocky Greaser was played by an up-and-coming Tom Cruise. Later in 1983, Tom Cruise starred as Joel in Risky Business, a film that made him an overnight star. Cruise went on to conquer the 1980s with roles like "Maverick" in 1986's Top Gun, and his hit streak continued well into the 1990s. His other famous credits include Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible movie franchise, Cage in Edge of Tomorrow, John Anderton in Minority Report, Lestat in Interview with a Vampire, and Lt. Daniel Kaffee in A Few Good Men.
Cruise was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ron Kovic in 1989's Born on the Fourth of July and his titular turn in 1996's Jerry Maguire. He was also nominated for Best ing Actor for his memorable work in Magnolia and later received a Best Picture nomination as a producer on Top Gun: Maverick, for which he reprised his titular role.
Glenn Withrow As Tim Shepard
Glenn Withrow plays Tim Shepard, the leader of the Shepard gang. Tim Shepard was Withrow's most famous role, but he also appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's other 1983 S.E. Hinton adaptation when he played Biff in Rumble Fish alongside his Outsiders co-star Matt Dillon. Withrow reunited with the director again in 1986 when he played Terry in the s Ford Coppola movie Peggy Sue Got Married.
Diane Lane As Sherrie "Cherry" Valance
Played by Diane Lane, Sherrie "Cherry" Valance is a member of the Socs who takes a liking to Ponyboy despite the fact that he is from a lower class than her. After starring as part of the cast of The Outsiders, Lane appeared in several high-profile '80s movies such as Francis Ford Coppola's 1984 release The Cotton Club where she played Vera Cicero. Lane scored an Academy Award nomination for her role as Connie Summer in 2002's Unfaithful, and she followed that up with the 2003 rom-com hit Under the Tuscan Sun where she played s Mayes.
The Outsiders ing Cast & Characters
Leif Garrett as Bob Sheldon - Played by Leif Garrett, Bob Sheldon is a member of the Socs and boyfriend to Sherrie Valance. The 1970s teen idol was most famous for his music career, but he had a major role as Mike Pusser in 1979's Walking Tall and its sequels.
Darren Dalton as Randy Anderson - A rude and arrogant member of the Socs, Darren Dalton played Randy Anderson, Bob Sheldon's best friend. Randy was one of Dalton's largest roles, but he reunited with several of his cast mates from The Outsiders when he played Daryl in 1984's Red Dawn.
Michelle Meyrink as Marcia - Played by Michelle Meyrink, Marcia is the uptight girlfriend of Randy and a fellow member of the upper-class Socs. Meyrink's relatively short career in film was dotted with several notable comedy roles including her turn as Judy in Revenge of the Nerds in 1984.
Gailard Sartain as Jerry - Jerry is a school teacher who the Greasers save from a church fire and is played by character actor Gailard Sartain. Besides his notable appearance as Sheriff Stuckey in 1988's Mississippi Burning, Sartain was most famous for his recurring role as Chuck in the Jim Varney-led Ernest films, including 1989's Ernest Saves Christmas.
Tom Waits as Buck Merrill - Tom Waits plays Buck Merrill, Dally's close friend who is an ally to the Greasers. A frequent collaborator with director Jim Jarmusch, the legendary musician played Zack in Down by Law and Hermit Bob in The Dead Don't Die. Waits also played the memorable role of Rex Blau in 2021's Licorice Pizza.
