The E.T. Cast Now: 5 Shocking Career Paths From Child Star To CEO And Horror Icon

It has been over four decades since Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, first captured the hearts and imaginations of the world, making instant global stars of its young cast. For generations of fans, the image of Elliott and Gertie flying across the moon remains one of cinema's most enduring, leaving many curious about the actors who brought the magic to life. As of late 2024, the lives and careers of the main cast are more diverse and fascinating than ever, ranging from a daytime talk show host to a horror movie icon and a thriller star with a 2025 film release.

The journey from child stardom to adult success is rarely straightforward, but the stars of the 1982 classic have navigated it with surprising grace and versatility. Recent years have seen a major 40th-anniversary reunion, a short-film sequel, and a flurry of new projects that prove the E.T. cast is still very much active and relevant in the entertainment world and beyond.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Main Cast: A Complete Biography Snapshot

• Drew Barrymore (Gertie)
  • Born: February 22, 1975, Culver City, California, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Gertie, Elliott's younger sister.
  • Current Primary Focus (2024-2025): Host of the syndicated talk show The Drew Barrymore Show and founder of her lifestyle brand, Flower by Drew.
  • Notable Post-E.T. Career: Starred in Charlie's Angels, The Wedding Singer, 50 First Dates, and Santa Clarita Diet.
• Henry Thomas (Elliott)
  • Born: September 9, 1971, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Elliott Taylor, the boy who befriends E.T.
  • Current Primary Focus (2024-2025): Prolific actor, particularly known for his collaborations with horror director Mike Flanagan.
  • Notable Post-E.T. Career: Starred in Legends of the Fall, Gangs of New York, and Flanagan's Netflix series: The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass.
• Robert MacNaughton (Michael)
  • Born: December 19, 1966, New York, New York, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Michael Taylor, Elliott's older brother.
  • Current Primary Focus (2024): Involved in the theater world and occasional acting roles; he has also pursued a career outside of Hollywood.
  • Notable Post-E.T. Career: Appeared in I Am the Cheese. Largely stepped away from major film roles in the late 1980s.
• Dee Wallace (Mary)
  • Born: December 14, 1948, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Mary Taylor, the children's mother.
  • Current Primary Focus (2024-2025): Highly active actress in the horror/genre film circuit and author/public speaker.
  • Notable Post-E.T. Career: Starred in Cujo, The Howling, and Rob Zombie's Halloween.

Drew Barrymore: From Child Star to Daytime TV Mogul

Drew Barrymore's career trajectory is arguably the most recognizable and successful of the child cast, evolving from the adorable, scene-stealing Gertie to a full-fledged Hollywood powerhouse. Her journey has been marked by early struggles, a successful transition to leading roles, and, most recently, a shift toward the media business.

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In 2020, Barrymore launched The Drew Barrymore Show, a syndicated daytime talk show that has become her primary focus. The show has been a significant success, allowing her to interview major celebrities, champion positive lifestyle advice, and showcase her infectious personality. She also continues to helm her successful lifestyle and cosmetics brand, Flower by Drew.

While she was once one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, earning up to $15 million per film, Barrymore has consciously stepped back from major acting roles to focus on her talk show and her role as a parent. She did, however, play a key role in the recent E.T. 40th-anniversary reunion, hosting Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, and Dee Wallace on a special episode of her show in 2022, which helped bring the cast back into the public eye.

Henry Thomas and Dee Wallace: The Reign of Horror and Thrillers

While Drew Barrymore has dominated daytime television, Henry Thomas and Dee Wallace have established themselves as fixtures in the world of genre entertainment, particularly in the horror and thriller space, making their recent careers a fascinating parallel to their roles in the sci-fi classic.

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Henry Thomas (Elliott): Mike Flanagan's Muse

Henry Thomas, who gave the heartbreaking performance as Elliott, has maintained a steady and respectable acting career, but his recent work has cemented him as a favorite of acclaimed horror director Mike Flanagan. Thomas has starred in a string of Flanagan's successful Netflix projects, including The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, showcasing his versatility as an adult actor.

Fans eager for his next project won't have to wait long. Thomas is set to star in the intense modern Western thriller *High Ground*, which is scheduled for a digital release on March 18, 2025. This demonstrates his continued commitment to dramatic and challenging roles. Furthermore, Thomas delighted fans by reprising his role as an adult Elliott in a 2019 short film, "A Holiday Reunion," which served as a commercial sequel for Xfinity, showing E.T. visiting Elliott's family for Christmas.

Dee Wallace (Mary): The Scream Queen's New Series

Dee Wallace, who played the children's loving and protective mother, Mary, has a career that spans over 250 film and television credits, making her one of the most prolific working actresses today. She is particularly revered in the horror community, having starred in classics like Cujo and The Howling.

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The most exciting and fresh news for Wallace's fans is her recent casting in a major new Netflix series. In November 2024, it was announced that Dee Wallace had joined the cast of The Boroughs, a supernatural series from the Duffer Brothers, the creators of Stranger Things. Her involvement in a high-profile project from two of the biggest names in genre television proves her enduring appeal and relevance four decades on.

Robert MacNaughton: A Life Beyond Hollywood

Robert MacNaughton, who played the protective older brother Michael, took a different path than his co-stars. After a few roles following E.T., he largely stepped away from major Hollywood acting in the late 1980s.

While he has pursued a career outside of acting, with some sources linking him to research and even civic roles, MacNaughton has maintained a connection to the arts. He has appeared in a few independent films in recent years and was an integral part of the 40th-anniversary cast reunion. In 2024, he was noted for his involvement in the christening of a new theater in Los Angeles, suggesting a continued, if less public, involvement in the theater world. His appearance at events like the Nickel City Comic Con in June 2024, alongside Henry Thomas, shows that the connection to his iconic role remains a cherished part of his public life.

The collective careers of the E.T. cast—from a global media personality to a thriller star, a horror queen, and a man who chose a quiet life—serve as a powerful and unique Hollywood success story. Their reunion and continued work in 2024 and 2025 confirm that the magic they created in 1982 is still very much alive.