4 Decades Later: Where The Cast Of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Is Now (2025 Update)

The iconic 1982 masterpiece, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant films in cinematic history. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the story of a lost alien and the young boy, Elliott, who helps him return home, captured the world's imagination and launched the careers of its young stars. As of December 2025, the film continues to resonate, with recent cast reunions and new projects keeping the original actors in the spotlight.

The film’s incredible success—becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time for over a decade—has cemented the original cast's place in Hollywood legend. Many fans are curious about the adult lives and current careers of the child stars, especially after the major 40th-anniversary celebrations that brought them back together. This deep dive explores the complete cast profile and what they are doing today, ensuring you have the freshest information available.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial: Complete Cast Biography Profile

The core cast members of E.T. were a tight-knit group, carefully selected by director Steven Spielberg to create a believable, natural family dynamic. Their performances are what gave the film its enduring emotional power.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• Henry Thomas (Elliott Taylor): Born September 9, 1971, in San Antonio, Texas. He was 10 years old when cast as the lead, Elliott, the sensitive middle child who discovers and befriends E.T.
• Drew Barrymore (Gertie Taylor): Born February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California. She was only six years old and already an industry veteran when she was cast as Gertie, Elliott’s adorable, curious, and often hilarious younger sister.
• Dee Wallace (Mary Taylor): Born December 14, 1948, in Kansas City, Kansas. She played Mary, the overwhelmed but loving single mother of Elliott, Gertie, and Michael, who is initially unaware of the alien presence in her home.
• Robert MacNaughton (Michael Taylor): Born December 19, 1966, in New York, New York. He played Michael, Elliott’s older brother, who transitions from a typical teenage annoyance to a key ally in protecting E.T.
• Peter Coyote (Keys): Born October 10, 1941, in New York, New York. He played the enigmatic federal agent, known only as "Keys," due to the large ring of keys he carries. His face is intentionally obscured for most of the film to represent the impersonal nature of the adult world.

The Enduring Legacy: E.T. 40th Anniversary Reunion and Beyond

The 40th anniversary of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, which occurred in 2022, sparked a wave of retrospectives, special screenings, and, most notably, a major cast reunion that provided fans with a current look at the stars.

A Heartfelt Family Reunion on Screen

In May 2023, Drew Barrymore hosted a special 40th-anniversary reunion on her talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, bringing together Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, and Robert MacNaughton. The reunion was a touching moment, highlighting the genuine, lasting bond the actors formed during the 1981 filming.

The cast shared stories about Steven Spielberg's unique directing style, which included encouraging improvisation and keeping the children away from the E.T. puppet for a while to make their first on-screen reactions to the alien more authentic.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The 'A Holiday Reunion' Mini-Sequel

While Steven Spielberg has always resisted making a true theatrical sequel to E.T., citing the film's perfect ending, a short film was created in 2019 for Xfinity/Sky that served as a spiritual continuation.

Titled A Holiday Reunion, the four-minute short brought back Henry Thomas as the adult Elliott, who now has a family of his own. The short showed E.T. returning to Earth to visit Elliott during the holidays, meeting his family, and using modern technology like virtual reality. This commercial was the closest fans have come to a proper sequel and demonstrated the cast's willingness to revisit their iconic roles.

Where Are They Now? The Cast's Current Projects (2024-2025)

Four decades later, the principal cast members have forged diverse and fascinating careers, with several major projects ongoing in late 2024 and 2025. Their current work spans talk shows, major streaming horror series, and narration.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

Drew Barrymore (Gertie)

Drew Barrymore has arguably had the most high-profile career, evolving from a child star to a major actress, producer, and entrepreneur. Her career is currently dominated by her successful daytime talk show, The Drew Barrymore Show, which she launched in 2020.

Barrymore's production company, Flower Films, remains active, and she continues to be a prominent figure in the media landscape, balancing her roles as a host, mother, and business mogul. She frequently uses her platform to celebrate her past, including the reunion with her E.T. family.

Henry Thomas (Elliott)

Henry Thomas successfully transitioned into a prolific adult actor, often specializing in dramatic and genre work. In recent years, he has become a frequent collaborator with horror director Mike Flanagan, starring in several acclaimed Netflix series.

While his specific 2025 projects are under wraps, Thomas remains a fixture on the convention circuit, attending events like Geek’d Con in 2024. His notable recent works include leading roles in The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, cementing his status as a modern horror icon.

Dee Wallace (Mary Taylor)

Known as a "scream queen" and a veteran of the horror genre (including Cujo and The Howling), Dee Wallace continues her prolific acting career.

In a major update for late 2024, Wallace was announced as part of the cast for The Boroughs, a new supernatural mystery series from the creators of Stranger Things, set to air in 2025. She also appeared in several independent films and is active on the horror convention circuit, with appearances scheduled throughout 2024.

Robert MacNaughton (Michael)

After E.T., Robert MacNaughton continued acting for a period before largely retiring from Hollywood in the late 1980s to pursue other interests, including a career as a postmaster in Arizona.

However, he has made occasional returns to acting for independent projects and has been a consistent participant in E.T. anniversary events and fan conventions, often alongside his former co-stars. His current focus appears to be on family and engaging with the fanbase that still cherishes his role as Elliott’s protective older brother.

Peter Coyote (Keys)

Peter Coyote, who was the most established actor in the main cast at the time of E.T., has built an extraordinary career as an Emmy Award-winning narrator for documentaries, including many for PBS, and as a distinguished author.

His recent work is heavily focused on narration, with him narrating the series The Climate Restorers, which is slated to air on EarthxTV in early 2025. He also remains an active voice in the literary and spiritual community, discussing topics like Buddhism and practical wisdom in 2024.

E.T. Trivia and Fun Facts: Entities That Built the Magic

The production of E.T. is legendary, filled with fascinating details and influential figures that contribute to the film's topical authority. The film’s original title was actually A Boy's Life, reflecting its focus on Elliott's emotional journey.

• The Voice of E.T.: The alien's iconic voice was created by Pat Welsh, a woman who smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, giving her voice a unique, raspy quality.
• The John Williams Score: The film features one of the most famous and influential movie scores of all time, composed by the legendary John Williams. Spielberg allowed the final chase sequence to be edited to match Williams' music, a highly unusual concession that resulted in the unforgettable climax.
• A Darker Origin: The concept for E.T. originated from a much darker, unproduced Steven Spielberg project called Night Skies, which featured a group of malevolent aliens terrorizing a family.
• Drew Barrymore's Audition: Spielberg was so impressed by a young Drew Barrymore's ability to tell convincing stories and cry on command that he cast her immediately, recognizing her wild imagination as perfect for the role of Gertie.
• The Fake Doctors: The medical personnel who try to save E.T. were played by real doctors and nurses, not actors, to ensure the scene felt authentic.

The enduring power of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial is a testament to Steven Spielberg's vision and the unforgettable performances of its cast. From Drew Barrymore’s talk show empire to Henry Thomas’s acclaimed horror career, the stars of this timeless classic continue to shine brightly in 2025.