'The Outsiders' film set in Oklahoma was released 40 years ago. Where is the cast now?

"The Outsiders" served as a kickstart for several future A-list actors, including C. Thomas Howell, Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez and Tom Cruise.

It had its theatrical release on March 24, 1983, and was directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola and is based on S.E. Hinton novel.

The home where the movie was filmed was restored by Danny Boy O'Connor, formerly of the hip-hop group House of Pain. Several celebrates have taken tours at The Outsiders House Museum, including Leonardo DiCaprio, the band Green Day and "The Outsiders" author and Tulsa native S.E. Hinton.

Here is a look at where the cast of "The Outsiders" are now:

C. Thomas Howell: Michael 'Ponyboy' Curtis

Howell stars as Ponyboy Curtis, a bookish greaser who can quote Robert Frost.

He is most known for his roles in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," "Red Dawn," "The Hitcher" and a recurring role as a serial killer in "Criminal Minds."

Nearly 41 years after he journeyed to Tulsa to star as Ponyboy Curtis in the 1983 film "The Outsiders," Howell maintains strong ties to the Sooner State — and a deep love for the iconic movie that supplied just the second role of his almost lifelong acting career.

"I get how some people might feel like, 'Hey, dude, let go of the Ponyboy thing and move on.' I hope I'm never that way. I hope I'm never jaded that way. I love and respect 'The Outsiders' so dearly, and the children come to me and have so many questions," Howell said in a phone interview. "I feel I have a bit of responsibility to the piece in itself, just to respect and to honor it. It would be wrong not to, so I'm grateful for the duty."

'It's a special place': Howell shares love for Oklahoma ahead of release of restored 'Outsiders'

Matt Dillon: Dallas Winston

Dillon stars as Dallas Winston with blue eyes "blazing ice, cold with a hatred of the whole world."

Dillon also starred in the film "Rumble Fish," also set in Oklahoma.

"Rumble Fish" follows a low-level street thug (Dillon) who is trying to live up to his older brother's (Mickey Rourke) reputation. The movie was shot at various locations throughout Oklahoma, but mostly in Tulsa. It is also directed by Coppola and based on Hinton's novel of the same name.

Dillon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Sgt. John Ryan in the 2005 film "Crash." The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.

His works also include "There's Something About Mary," "The House That Jack Built," "Wild Things" and "You, Me and Dupree."

Cinematic classics: Several iconic films have been made in Oklahoma in the past 100 years

Ralph Macchio: Johnny Cade

Macchio stars as Johnny Cade, a "dark puppy that has been kicked too many times."

He went on to to have a breakout role as Daniel LaRusso in the 1984 film "The Karate Kid." He would reprise his role for "The Karate Kid Part II" and "The Karate Kid Part III." He would also reprise the role in 2018 for the series "Cobra Kai."

He also published a memoir "Waxing On: The Karate Kid and Me" in 2022. The book traces the rise of Macchio after the original film's 1984 release.

"The book is always tied into the Daniel LaRusso of it all, ‘The Karate Kid’ journey of it all," Macchio tells USA TODAY. "Even though I talk about ‘The Outsiders’ and ‘My Cousin Vinny,’ and my life and my wife and kids here and there, and the '90s that got a little dry for me after the '80s success."

'It was magic':Ralph Macchio talks 'Cobra Kai,' relationship to Pat Morita in 'Waxing On'

Patrick Swayze: Darrel 'Darry' Curtis

Swayze starred as Darrel Curtis, oldest brother to Ponyboy.

He went on to star as Johnny Castle in “Dirty Dancing,” as Sam Wheat in “Ghost” and as Bodhi in “Point Break.”

"Dirty Dancing" was a cultural phenom that grossed $218 million at the global box office and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Swayze died of pancreatic cancer at age 57 in 2009.

“You’re only on this planet for so long,” Swayze says in a 2019 documentary. “You could be dead tomorrow, go for it now.”

Grab your tissues: 5 Patrick Swayze moments in the new documentary that'll give you all the feels

Rob Lowe: Sodapop Curtis

Lowe starred as Sodapop Curtis, the second oldest of the Curtis brothers.

In 1982, Lowe was relatively unknown in Hollywood. But now, he's most known for his roles in "9-1-1: Lone Star," "Parks and Recreation," "The West Wing" and "St. Elmo's Fire."

"I had my 18th birthday here, on the set of 'The Outsiders,'” Lowe told The Oklahoman and The Associated Press in 2017.

“Tulsa is where it all started for me,” he said. “I didn't go to college, I went to Tulsa. I left home and this is where I came. I did the movie here and I did a movie after that and a movie after that and a movie after that and that brought me to where I am today.”

Lowe also has a podcast, "Literally! With Rob Lowe," where he interviews celebrities and friends such as Oprah Winfrey, Chris Pratt and LeVar Burton.