THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'The Outsiders,' 38 years later

Gabbi ShawAug 6, 2021, 21:36 IST

Tom Cruise, then and now.Getty Images

S. E. Hinton's novel "The Outsiders" was adapted into a 1983 film directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
It follows two opposing groups - lower-class greasers and upper-class socs - and the tension between them.
The cast was filled with unknowns who went on to become some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

C. Thomas Howell played the sensitive Ponyboy Curtis, the main character of the novel and the film.

C. Thomas Howell in 1984. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

C. Thomas Howell, 54, has worked extensively but never again had a leading role like Ponyboy.

C. Thomas Howell in 2017. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Matt Dillon played the unstable and hardened greaser Dallas "Dally" Winston.

Matt Dillon in 1984. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Dillon, 57, was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 2004's "Crash."

Matt Dillon in 2020. Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Ralph Macchio played the sweet Johnny Cade, who cautions Ponyboy to "stay gold."

Ralph Macchio in 1984. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Ralph Macchio, 59, is reprising his role of Danny LaRusso in Netflix's "Cobra Kai."

Ralph Macchio in 2021. Matt Winkelmeyer/2021 MTV Movie and TV Awards/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

Rob Lowe played Ponyboy's older brother Sodapop, who is described as "beautiful."

Rob Lowe in 1984. Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Rob Lowe, 57, is now best known for his TV roles in shows like "The West Wing," "Parks and Recreation," and "9-1-1: Lone Star."

Rob Lowe in 2020. Aaron Poole/E! Entertainment/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Emilio Estevez played the mouthy Two-Bit Mathews, a greaser and friend of Ponyboy.

Emilio Estevez in 1984. Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Estevez, 59, is frequently working behind the camera, though he reprised his role as Gordon Bombay in "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers" in 2021.

Emilio Estevez in 2019. Craig Barritt/Getty Images for WE Day

A young unknown by the name of Tom Cruise played Steve Randle, another greaser.

Tom Cruise in 1983. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Cruise, 59, has been nominated for three Oscars and is one of the highest-grossing movie stars of all time.

Tom Cruise in 2019. Lia Toby/BFC/Getty Images

Glenn Withrow played Tim, the leader of another greaser gang and a friend of Dally's.

Withrow in "The Outsiders." Warner Bros.

Withrow, 67, now works behind the scenes at his production company, In House Media, Inc.

Withrow and his daughter, Ivy, in 2020. Screen Rant Plus

Diane Lane played the pivotal role of Cherry Valance, a soc who bonds with Ponyboy.

Diane Lane in 1983. Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

It took a few years for Lane's career to really kick off, but now the 56-year-old is a timeless star.

Diane Lane in 2020. John Shearer/Getty Images

Leif Garrett had already been a teen idol when he was cast as soc Bob Sheldon.

Leif Garrett and Nicollette Sheridan in 1984. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Garrett, 59, has had a long and hard road in Hollywood stemming from drug abuse.

Leif Garrett in 2016. Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Darren Dalton played another soc, Randy.

Dalton in "The Outsiders." Warner Bros.

Dalton, 56, hasn't acted since 2012. He's now primarily a screenwriter.

Dalton in "Quantum Leap." NBC

Michelle Meyrink made her film debut as Marcia, Cherry's friend.

Michelle Meyrink and Tom Cruise in 1982. Fotos International/Getty Images

Meyrink, 58, founded an acting school in Vancouver.

"The Outsiders." Warner Bros.

Patrick Swayze played Ponyboy and Sodapop's older brother Darry, who was taking care of them after their parents died.

Patrick Swayze in 1983. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

Swayze died in 2009 at age 57.

Patrick Swayze in 2008. Barry Brecheisen/WireImage for Rockit Ranch Productions

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