ET The Extraterrestrial returns to theaters this Wednesday (2) to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its original release. The classic, directed by Steven Spielberg, premiered on June 11, 1982 in the United States. In Brazil, it premiered months later, on Christmas Day.
After four decades of premiering, we’re taking a look back at how they’re doing and what some of the most important names from the original cast are up to today.
Drew BarrymoreGertie
While not the main character, Drew Barrymore may still be “ET’s little girl,” despite achieving greater accomplishments than most of her peers. The actress didn’t have an easy transition from adolescence to adolescence. She had problems with drugs and excessive drinking. But he bounced back and became a big Hollywood name in the latter half of the 1990s, starring in Scream (1996), Still Cinderella (1998) and Never Been Kissed (1999).
The 2000s came with the hits “As Panteras” (2000) and “As If It Was the First Time” (2004). He acted in numerous romantic comedies. Between 2017 and 2019 he starred in the series “Santa Clarita Diet”. The actress is currently the host of The Drew Barrymore Show, where she arrived to greet the ET costars.
Henry ThomasElliot
Henry Thomas plays Elliott in ET The Extraterrestrial Photo: Playback / Instagram
The film’s protagonist, Henry Thomas, was only 10 years old when he auditioned and wowed Steven Spielberg, who had already auditioned more than 300 boys for the role. After success in ET, the actor was cast in a few children’s adventures such as Heroes Have No Age (1984) and The Great Adventure (1986) without achieving the same success. He also played the young Norman Bates in Psycho 4: The Revelation (1990), which was released directtotelevision.
The actor kept his career cool in the 1990s and 2000s, with only occasional appearances in works like Legends of Passion (1994) and Gangs of New York (2002). The actor recently found fame again thanks to his partnership with Mike Flanagan. He worked on the horror series The Curse of Hill House (2018), The Curse of Bly Manor (2020), Midnight Mass (2021) and has already appeared in The Fall of the House of Usher (2023). , all created by the producer.
Dee WallaceMary
Dee Wallace plays Mary in ET The Extraterrestrial Photo: Playback / Instagram
The 73yearold veteran actress plays Elliott, Gertie and Michael’s mother on ET. Shortly after working on Spielberg’s feature film, she starred as the protagonist in Cujo (1983), the film adaptation of a Stephen King classic.
She eventually became a great supporting actress in Hollywood but always very active. She has appeared in more than 250 productions between 1974 and 2022 and already has more than one project for 2023. In 2016 she took part in episodes of the series “Supernatural”.
Peter Coyote (key)
Peter Coyote plays Keys in ‘ET The Extraterrestrial’ Photo: Reproduction
Part of the adult cast of the production, Peter Coyote also developed a significant career in Hollywood, even winning an Emmy for his work in the miniseries The Roosevelts: An intimate history (2015). In the cinema, she shone in productions such as Gilmoon (1992), Patch Adams, Love Is Contagious (1998) and Erin Brockovich, a Talented Woman (2000).
At 81, the actor continues to act, albeit in productions that receive little attention in Hollywood, such as the family drama The Girl Who Believes in Miracles (2021).
Robert MacNaughtonMichael
Robert MacNaughton is Michael in ET The Extraterrestrial Photo: Playback / Instagram
Robert played the older brother of Michael, Elliott and Gertie. After the film’s success, he had small appearances in series and productions made directly for television. He retired from acting in the late 1980s but made a comeback in 2015 when he starred in the films Frankenstein vs. The Mummy and Laugh Killer Laugh. I’ve worked for the US Postal Services since the late 1990s.
C. Thomas Howell (Tyler)
C. Thomas Howell plays Tyler in ET The Extraterrestrial Photo: Playback / Instagram
After his teenage screen debut Tyler, Michael’s friend, in ET, C. Thomas Howell had a very active career in Hollywood, earning over 200 credits in films and series. He starred in Vidas sem fim (1983) and Death Asks for a Carpool (1986). Most recently, he was seen in the series “The Walking Dead” and “SEAL Team”.