LOOKING FOR AN IN WITH THE OUTSIDER
Only one celebrity inspired me to write a fan letter – C. Thomas Howell. I was in 8th grade, an outcast in my new school (5th new school in 8 years), and he played an outcast high school Greaser in a little story turned big movie.
Thanks Fanpop.com for the great shot!
While it boasted a pile of heartthrobs, his heart of gold stood out. I never finished that letter but it probably went something like this:
“Dear C. Thomas,
Do you prefer Christopher or Thomas? I wanted to tell you that I loved you in The Outsiders, and E.T.! It must be really cool being a movie star, but I love that you still take time for your horses! I ride too! English, mostly, except when I hit the trails in my western saddle or bareback. If you’re ever in San Diego, please look me up – we have great trails!”
I settled for one-way conversation from the big screen to my heart, but was heartbroken when I didn’t hear much from him after Red Dawn!
Seriously, they remade this?!
What brought this on? Yaani York’s 2012 blog that featured Letters to Celebrities! She thought of everything you’d want to ask or bring up to smack sense into celebrities, not just adoring them as I did. I can think of a few celebrities who need her to give it to them for real! The thing that I love most about her nominating me for the Beautiful Blogger Award in May is that she proudly calls herself a writer. For me to get recognition from someone in a position that I’m striving for feels amazing! So Thank You, Raani, for your support, your publications and fun letters!
Ironically, 20 years after penning my letter, I stood in line at a grocery store at the next cashier over from C. Thomas Howell. Did I talk to him? No after such a long time with a one-way conversation, I didn’t know what else to do but check out imdb.com and to see what he’s been up to and what he might be filming in my neighborhood.
I was pleasantly surprised that he’s been working steadily this whole time so now I have 20 years of catching up to do!
#TheOutsiders #CThomasHowell #SEHinton #Greasers #Socs #Horses #Cowboys #TeenAgeHearthrob #celebritycrush #penpal #whatcouldvebeen
