43 Years Later: The Surprising New Lives Of The E.T. 1982 Cast—From Talk Show Host To Spiritual Healer

The magic of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is timeless, but the lives of its iconic cast have taken incredibly unexpected and fascinating turns in the 43 years since its release. As of today, December 10, 2025, the child stars who captured the world’s imagination have matured into a powerhouse talk show host, a prolific horror genre veteran, a dedicated spiritual healer, and a former postal carrier who found his way back to the stage.

The film, directed by Steven Spielberg, was a cultural phenomenon and remains one of the highest-grossing films of all time. This deep dive into the E.T. cast reveals their latest projects, surprising career shifts, and how their early brush with cinematic history continues to define—or redefine—their professional and personal lives.

The Core Family: Full Biography and Filmography Update

The heart of E.T. was the Taylor family. Here is a comprehensive look at the main cast members who brought the beloved characters to life, including their essential biographical details and most recent career updates.

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• Drew Barrymore (Gertie)
  • Born: February 22, 1975, Culver City, California, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Gertie, the adorable, youngest sister who first discovers E.T.
  • Current Status: Television Host, Actress, Producer, and Entrepreneur.
  • Latest Update (2025): While continuing to host the successful The Drew Barrymore Show, she announced she will be joining the reboot of Hollywood Squares on CBS, set to premiere on January 9, 2025.
• Henry Thomas (Elliott)
  • Born: September 9, 1971, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Elliott Taylor, the lonely boy who befriends E.T.
  • Current Status: Actor, Musician.
  • Latest Update (2025): Thomas remains highly active in film and television, particularly in the horror/thriller genres. His recent work includes the horror film The Curse of the Necklace and the thriller Crawlspace. He is also a frequent guest at fan conventions, such as Terrificon 2025.
• Dee Wallace (Mary)
  • Born: December 14, 1948, Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Mary Taylor, the struggling single mother of Elliott, Michael, and Gertie.
  • Current Status: Actress, Spiritual Healer, Author.
  • Latest Update (2024/2025): Wallace maintains a prolific acting schedule while simultaneously building a major career as a spiritual teacher and healer. She is the author of five books on self-creation and offers professional services like past life regression and manifestation coaching.
• Robert MacNaughton (Michael)
  • Born: December 19, 1966, New York, New York, U.S.
  • Role in E.T.: Michael Taylor, Elliott’s skeptical but protective older brother.
  • Current Status: Actor, former Postal Carrier.
  • Latest Update (2024/2025): After a long hiatus where he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a postal carrier, MacNaughton has returned to acting, participating in stage productions (including Shakespeare) and making convention appearances, showcasing his unique dual-career trajectory.

From Elliott to Hill House: Henry Thomas’s Darker Second Act

For many, Henry Thomas will forever be Elliott, the boy on the bicycle silhouetted against the moon. However, Thomas has deliberately and successfully carved out a new, darker niche for himself in the modern entertainment landscape. His career in the 2020s is a fascinating study in reinvention, focusing heavily on the horror genre.

Thomas has become a key player in the "Flanaverse," a term coined for the recurring cast and crew in the projects of acclaimed horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan. This collaboration has yielded some of the most critically praised horror series of the past decade. Thomas delivered memorable performances in Netflix hits like The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass, cementing his status as a modern scream king.

His recent roles in films like The Curse of the Necklace and the thriller Crawlspace indicate a continued commitment to the genre, showcasing a range far removed from the innocent, tearful boy of 1982. This strategic shift has allowed him to thrive as a character actor, proving that the pressures of early stardom can be overcome with a focused and unexpected career pivot.

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The Mom’s Spiritual Journey and Michael’s Post-Office Detour

The paths of Dee Wallace and Robert MacNaughton offer the most unique twists among the main cast. Dee Wallace, who played the mother Mary, has leveraged her decades of experience in high-stress Hollywood to become a sought-after spiritual healer and life coach.

Wallace’s work is centered on the principle of self-creation, encouraging people to "contact all energy with the intention of love." She conducts professional past life regression sessions and manifestation coaching, and is a published author and radio personality, often speaking at length about her spiritual philosophy. This parallel career is not a retirement hobby but a serious, full-time commitment that runs alongside her continuous acting work in both major and independent films.

Robert MacNaughton, who won a Young Artist Award for his portrayal of Michael, took the most dramatic break from the spotlight. After finding the pressures of a post-E.T. acting career challenging, he stepped away from Hollywood and took a job with the U.S. Postal Service in Arizona, becoming a postal carrier.

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This grounding experience in a normal life lasted for many years. However, the call of the stage and screen proved too strong to ignore permanently. MacNaughton has since returned to acting and theater, embracing his legacy and participating in projects and fan conventions, including a notable appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show for the film's 40th anniversary reunion. His story is a powerful reminder that fame is often a detour, not a destination.

Deep Cuts: What Happened to Keys, Greg, and the Others?

Topical authority on the E.T. cast requires a look beyond the Taylor family to the government agents and supporting characters who shaped Elliott's world. These entities also have compelling stories:

• Peter Coyote (Keys): The man whose face is never clearly seen until the end, Keys was the primary government antagonist. Peter Coyote has maintained a highly successful and diverse career as an actor, author, and Zen Buddhist priest. He is renowned for his extensive work as a narrator for documentaries, including those by Ken Burns.
• K.C. Martel (Greg): One of Michael’s friends who helps Elliott and E.T. escape. Martel had a steady career in television after E.T., appearing in shows like Growing Pains. He stepped away from acting in the late 1980s, choosing a life outside the public eye.
• C. Thomas Howell and Erika Eleniak: Both had uncredited, non-speaking roles in the film. Howell went on to star in The Outsiders and Soul Man, maintaining a consistent acting career. Eleniak later gained fame as a *Playboy* model and a star on Baywatch.

The enduring appeal of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is not just in its revolutionary special effects or Steven Spielberg’s masterful direction, but in the authentic, relatable performances of its cast. Their lives today—from the glitz of a daytime talk show to the quiet dedication of a spiritual practice or a return to the stage after a career as a postal worker—are as varied and compelling as the film's original themes of friendship, wonder, and letting go.