He stands 6-feet-2-inches tall, with a broad, muscular build like a "Greek God". Dark brown hair that kicks out in front with a slight cowlick in the back. Pale blue-green ice eyes, appearing tough, cool, and somewhat cold because he rarely shows soft emotion. After his parents die in a car crash, he steps up to raise his younger brothers, Sodapop and Ponyboy. He gives up a college athletic scholarship to work two physical jobs as a laborer to support the family. He serves as a strong, protective leader and defender for the Greasers.

Dally Curtis has dark brown hair and brown eyes. He embodies the classic 1960s greaser look with slicked-back hair, a leather jacket, tight t-shirts, and an intense, brooding facial expression. Dally grew up in the harsh poverty and street gangs of New York City before moving to Oklahoma. He was first arrested at age 10 and spent years in and out of jail, which hardened his character. Despite his cold exterior, Dally deeply cares for the younger, gentle Johnny Cade, acting as a protective older brother.

He sports the signature long, oiled-back Greaser hairstyle and youthful, expressive features. He wears classic working-class apparel of the era, including denim jackets, t-shirts, and jeans that mark his lower-income Tulsa neighborhood. He is intelligent, loves movies and reading, and possesses a gentle, observant perspective that separates him slightly from the rougher edges of his peers. As the youngest brother, he lives with his older brothers, Darry and Sodapop, facing intense pressure from Darry's strict parenting while sharing a close bond with Soda. Ponyboy Curtis has dark brown hair (darker than the book's reddish-brown description). He has greenish-gray eyes.

Stands about six feet tall with a stocky build. Has striking gray eyes and a wide, mocking grin. Proudly sports long, rusty-colored sideburns. He treats life like one big joke and constantly makes witty remarks, even in tense situations. He loves shoplifting and is famous for his prized black-handled switchblade, which he proudly stole. Beneath his carefree, lazy nature (he is notorious for never holding a job), he is fiercely protective of his friends like Ponyboy and Johnny.

He is seventeen years old, tall, and lean. He styles his thick, greasy hair in a complex, messy arrangement of swirls. He knows everything about cars and works at a DX gas station alongside his best friend. He is arrogant, highly intelligent, and fiercely tough—once holding off four opponents with a broken soda bottle. He is deeply loyal to Sodapop Curtis and the rest of the gang.

Small and slight, making him the smallest member of the gang. Large, black, nervous, and suspicious eyes set in a dark, tanned face. Jet-black, heavily greased, and combed to the side with long bangs that fall shaggily across his forehead. Wears a black T-shirt, jeans, and a denim jacket. Suffers severe physical and verbal abuse from his father and neglect or emotional abuse from his mother. Treated like a younger brother by the Greasers, who provide the only love and affection he knows. Carries a switchblade and lives in constant fear after being brutally beaten by a rival group of Socs. He is your younger brother!!!

He is 16 years old, the middle brother between the oldest, strict Darry, and the youngest, sensitive Ponyboy. He acts as the emotional glue and buffer for the family, trying to stop Darry and Ponyboy from fighting. He dropped out of high school and works at a local DX gas station alongside his best friend, Steve Randle. Described as remarkably good-looking with dark-gold hair. He radiates an energetic, optimistic attitude and famously doesn't drink alcohol because he gets "drunk on just plain living". Despite his tough Greaser exterior, he is deeply sensitive, loving, and fiercely protective of his younger brother, Ponyboy.