Ponyboy Curtis | |
---|---|
The Outsiders character | |
First appearance |
|
Created by | S. E. Hinton |
Portrayed by |
C. Thomas Howell (
1983 film) Jay R. Ferguson ( 1990 TV series) Brody Grant ( 2023 stage musical) |
Age | 14 years |
In-universe information | |
Full name | Ponyboy Michael Curtis |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | Gang member |
Affiliation | Greasers |
Family | Darrel Curtis (brother) Sodapop Curtis (brother) Unnamed mother (deceased) Unnamed father (deceased) |
Nationality | American |
Residence | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
Ponyboy Michael Curtis is a fictional character and the main protagonist of S. E. Hinton's 1967 novel The Outsiders. On screen, he is played by C. Thomas Howell in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film adaptation and by Jay R. Ferguson in the 1990 sequel TV series. Brody Grant originated the role on stage in the 2023 stage musical adaptation. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Ponyboy is a fourteen year old boy who belongs to a gang of greasers. He hates his brother (Darry) and sees him as a bully. Although he wants to be part of the gang, he doesn't always agree with their violent ways, he is also quiet and shy. Darrel "Darry" Curtis, Jr. and Sodapop Patrick Curtis. He thinks that his older brother, Darry, "can't stand him" and thinks he is seeming "too bossy." Since their parents died, Darry has full responsibility of Soda and Ponyboy (his younger brothers). His best friend is Johnny Cade, a boy that resembles "a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers." Ponyboy and Soda can only stay with their brother Darry as long as they don't get in any trouble with the police. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and participates in the local social-club rivalries. He runs away with Johnny after an argument with Darry and is involved in the death of a "Soc" (pronounced /ˈsoʊʃɪz/—short for Socials), which is later ruled to have been self-defense on the part of Johnny. He is eventually re-united with his brothers and participates in the rumble alongside other members of the gang. Though a good fighter, he fights poorly in the rumble due to a blow to the head. Ponyboy gets hurt severely in the rumble. Dally takes Ponyboy to the hospital to visit Johnny and see how he is doing. Dally gets stopped by a police officer for speeding. He tells Ponyboy to "act sick", and be like cool and gangster and convinces the officer that Ponyboy fell off his motorcycle. The gullible police officer ends up escorting them to the hospital. Ponyboy is present for the deaths of both Johnny and later, Dallas Winston. Ponyboy, having witnessed two deaths in a short period of time, is overwhelmed by these experiences. He goes to court and to his surprise, the judge doesn't ask him questions about the soc's murder, but instead asks him about how his home life and school. Later, as he is writing his essay, he finds a letter from Johnny. [5]
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it. (June 2024) |
The character of Ponyboy Curtis is and continues to be regarded as one of the most enduring teenage characters in 20th-century American fiction. [4] [15] [16]
For his performance in the 1983 film, C. Thomas Howell received critical praise, as well as the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film. [17] Robert Osborne in his 1983 review for The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Howell and Ralph Macchio, who played Johnny, carry the film and do a commendable job with their performances. [18]
Brody Grant's portrayal in the stage musical also received positive reviews, as well as numerous accolades, including a Theatre World Award and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical. [19] [20] [21] [22] Emlyn Travis of Entertainment Weekly wrote:
From the moment that he appears onstage scribbling away in his notebook, it's clear that Grant sees the character for what he truly is: a wide-eyed kid, burdened by familial and societal expectations, who longs for something more. In turn, he plays Ponyboy with a softness and affability that is hard not to root for — especially when he's frequently breaking the fourth wall to talk about the show's latest developments, or popping down into the front row to watch a movie." [23]
Hinton, S.E. (1967). The Outsiders. New York: SPEAK. ISBN 9780140385724.
Ponyboy Curtis | |
---|---|
The Outsiders character | |
First appearance |
|
Created by | S. E. Hinton |
Portrayed by |
C. Thomas Howell (
1983 film) Jay R. Ferguson ( 1990 TV series) Brody Grant ( 2023 stage musical) |
Age | 14 years |
In-universe information | |
Full name | Ponyboy Michael Curtis |
Gender | Male |
Occupation | Gang member |
Affiliation | Greasers |
Family | Darrel Curtis (brother) Sodapop Curtis (brother) Unnamed mother (deceased) Unnamed father (deceased) |
Nationality | American |
Residence | Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States |
Ponyboy Michael Curtis is a fictional character and the main protagonist of S. E. Hinton's 1967 novel The Outsiders. On screen, he is played by C. Thomas Howell in Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film adaptation and by Jay R. Ferguson in the 1990 sequel TV series. Brody Grant originated the role on stage in the 2023 stage musical adaptation. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Ponyboy is a fourteen year old boy who belongs to a gang of greasers. He hates his brother (Darry) and sees him as a bully. Although he wants to be part of the gang, he doesn't always agree with their violent ways, he is also quiet and shy. Darrel "Darry" Curtis, Jr. and Sodapop Patrick Curtis. He thinks that his older brother, Darry, "can't stand him" and thinks he is seeming "too bossy." Since their parents died, Darry has full responsibility of Soda and Ponyboy (his younger brothers). His best friend is Johnny Cade, a boy that resembles "a little dark puppy that has been kicked too many times and is lost in a crowd of strangers." Ponyboy and Soda can only stay with their brother Darry as long as they don't get in any trouble with the police. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma; and participates in the local social-club rivalries. He runs away with Johnny after an argument with Darry and is involved in the death of a "Soc" (pronounced /ˈsoʊʃɪz/—short for Socials), which is later ruled to have been self-defense on the part of Johnny. He is eventually re-united with his brothers and participates in the rumble alongside other members of the gang. Though a good fighter, he fights poorly in the rumble due to a blow to the head. Ponyboy gets hurt severely in the rumble. Dally takes Ponyboy to the hospital to visit Johnny and see how he is doing. Dally gets stopped by a police officer for speeding. He tells Ponyboy to "act sick", and be like cool and gangster and convinces the officer that Ponyboy fell off his motorcycle. The gullible police officer ends up escorting them to the hospital. Ponyboy is present for the deaths of both Johnny and later, Dallas Winston. Ponyboy, having witnessed two deaths in a short period of time, is overwhelmed by these experiences. He goes to court and to his surprise, the judge doesn't ask him questions about the soc's murder, but instead asks him about how his home life and school. Later, as he is writing his essay, he finds a letter from Johnny. [5]
This section needs expansion. You can help by
adding to it. (June 2024) |
The character of Ponyboy Curtis is and continues to be regarded as one of the most enduring teenage characters in 20th-century American fiction. [4] [15] [16]
For his performance in the 1983 film, C. Thomas Howell received critical praise, as well as the Young Artist Award for Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film. [17] Robert Osborne in his 1983 review for The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Howell and Ralph Macchio, who played Johnny, carry the film and do a commendable job with their performances. [18]
Brody Grant's portrayal in the stage musical also received positive reviews, as well as numerous accolades, including a Theatre World Award and nominations for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical. [19] [20] [21] [22] Emlyn Travis of Entertainment Weekly wrote:
From the moment that he appears onstage scribbling away in his notebook, it's clear that Grant sees the character for what he truly is: a wide-eyed kid, burdened by familial and societal expectations, who longs for something more. In turn, he plays Ponyboy with a softness and affability that is hard not to root for — especially when he's frequently breaking the fourth wall to talk about the show's latest developments, or popping down into the front row to watch a movie." [23]
Hinton, S.E. (1967). The Outsiders. New York: SPEAK. ISBN 9780140385724.