It’s been over forty years, and honestly, we’re still talking about a puppet made of rubber and a kid in a red hoodie. Steven Spielberg’s 1982 masterpiece didn't just break the box office; it basically redefined what a "family movie" could be. But when you look at the cast of ET film today, the paths they took are wild. You've got one kid who became a literal titan of industry and another who ended up delivering your mail in Arizona.
That’s the thing about "lightning in a bottle" movies. They either propel you to the moon or leave you feeling a bit stranded when the cameras stop rolling.
The Kid Who Didn't Want the Spotlight
Henry Thomas. That’s the name. If you saw his audition tape—the one where he cries on command because he’s thinking about his dead dog—you know why he got the part of Elliott. Spielberg famously said, "OK kid, you got the job," right there on the spot.
Henry was ten. Imagine being ten and suddenly being the most famous face on the planet. He’s talked recently about how that kind of fame made him super suspicious of people. It’s heavy stuff for a fifth grader. He didn't want to be a "celebrity." He wanted to be an actor.
Eventually, he just left Los Angeles. He moved to a farm in Oregon. He’s still working, though. If you’re a fan of Mike Flanagan’s horror stuff on Netflix—The Haunting of Hill House or Midnight Mass—you’ve seen him. He’s a staple of the "Flanafam" now. It’s a respectable, steady career, but he’s very clear with his own kids: acting is a tough way to make a living.
Drew Barrymore and the Supernova Effect
Then there’s Gertie.
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Drew Barrymore was six years old during filming. She actually believed the ET animatronic was a real living being. She used to bring it lunch. While Henry Thomas was shy, Drew was a firecracker. She came from acting royalty—the Barrymore dynasty—but her path was way rockier.
By the time she was a teenager, she’d already been through rehab. It's a story most people know, but it’s still shocking how she turned it around. She didn't just survive; she conquered. From rom-com queen in The Wedding Singer to producing Charlie’s Angels, she’s now a daytime talk show powerhouse. The Drew Barrymore Show was recently renewed through 2026. She’s the ultimate example of how the cast of ET film didn't just stay in 1982.
What Happened to the Older Brother?
Robert MacNaughton played Michael, the older brother who spent half the movie teasing Elliott and the other half trying to keep the alien alive. He won a Young Artist Award for it. You’d think he would’ve been set for life in Hollywood.
But Robert liked the theater more. He did some plays, moved to Phoenix, and eventually retired from acting in 2002. For years, he worked as a mail handler for the US Postal Service.
It’s sort of refreshing, right? Not everyone wants to chase the dragon forever. He did return for a couple of indie horror films around 2015, like Frankenstein vs. The Mummy, but mostly he seems happy living a normal life. He’s married to actress Bianca Hunter, and honestly, he seems like the most grounded guy in the world.
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The Mom and the "Keys" Man
Dee Wallace, who played the mom, Mary, is basically horror royalty. Even before ET, she was in The Hills Have Eyes. After ET, she did Cujo. She’s done over 250 projects. If there’s a mom in a scary movie, there’s a 50% chance it’s Dee. She also runs a healing practice now and writes books about self-creation. She’s 77 now and still hits the convention circuit.
And Peter Coyote? He was "Keys," the government agent we all thought was the villain until he wasn't. Peter is a fascinating dude. He’s an ordained Zen Buddhist priest. He’s narrated countless Ken Burns documentaries. His voice is that deep, authoritative gravel you hear on PBS. He was never really a "movie star" in the traditional sense, but his thumbprint is everywhere.
The Voice Behind the Face
We can’t talk about the cast of ET film without mentioning Pat Welsh.
She wasn't on screen. She was a chain smoker from Marin County who spent $380 and two days in a recording booth. That raspy, "Phone home" voice? That was her. She smoked two packs a day, which gave her that specific timbre. Fun fact: she also did the voice of Boushh (the bounty hunter Leia pretends to be) in Return of the Jedi.
The Forgotten Friends
You might recognize C. Thomas Howell. He played Tyler, one of the kids on the bikes. He went on to star in The Outsiders and Red Dawn. He’s been a working actor for decades, appearing in everything from The Walking Dead to Criminal Minds.
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Then there’s Erika Eleniak. She was the girl Elliott kissed in the classroom scene. She ended up becoming a Playboy Playmate and a star on Baywatch.
Why the ET Cast Still Matters
Usually, when a movie is this big, the cast gets "cursed." People can't see them as anything else. But with ET, they all sort of found their own lane.
- Longevity over Fame: Henry Thomas chose craft over the "A-list" lifestyle.
- Resilience: Drew Barrymore proved you can come back from anything.
- Normalcy: Robert MacNaughton showed that it's okay to just walk away.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of the cast of ET film, your best bet is to check out the 2019 "A Holiday Reunion" short film. It’s basically a four-minute Xfinity commercial, but it features a grown-up Henry Thomas meeting ET again. It’s surprisingly emotional and shows that despite the decades, that bond actually feels real.
Take a look at the "Flanafam" projects on Netflix to see Henry Thomas’s modern range. It’s the best way to see how the "little boy from Texas" turned into one of the most reliable character actors in the business.