Henry Thomas is well aware that he has been discussing the film “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” for virtually his entire life.
Thomas remarked with a grin, “I’m just on the longest press tour in history” after I connected with him over Zoom. This has been my occupation since 1982.
He’s not joking.
When Steven Spielberg’s magnum opus debuted in theaters in June 1982 and became a box-office phenomenon, it radically altered the lives of everyone involved, including Thomas.
Thomas, 51, is forever known as the young boy who had a special relationship with an alien who was accidentally left behind on Earth when he was 10 years old and had only appeared in one small film prior to his tearful audition for the lead role of Elliott in “E.T.” (that audition has since gone viral). At the time, Thomas was a 10-year-old actor who had only appeared in one small film prior to his tearful audition, which wowed Spielberg and landed him the role.
This has resulted in some positive outcomes, such as being a permanent part of cinematic history, as well as some negative outcomes. Thomas acknowledges that it was difficult to fit in during high school, and despite landing roles in notable films such as “Legends of the Fall” opposite Brad Pitt and “Gangs of New York” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Leonardo DiCaprio, Thomas believes he’ll never be able to top playing Elliott.
In reality, Spielberg has never directed him again, despite the fact that he auditioned for several of his films over the years, including “Saving Private Ryan.”
Thomas spoke with Insider about what it’s been like to live in the shadow of “E.T.” for the past four decades.
For clarity, the interviews have been reduced and trimmed.
Was there a moment in 1982 when you realized your life would never be the same again? Can you pinpoint a moment?
Two weeks after its premiere, when it was still No. 1 at the box office and people were talking about the block-long lineups to get into the theaters, I believe it finally got me. It became a global phenomenon. That’s when I thought to myself, “Wow, this isn’t going away.”
Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, and Robert MacNaughton accepting a People’s Choice Award in 1983, from left to right.
Bettmann/Getty
And you were creating movies nonstop, so did you take a break when you went to school and realized you couldn’t go anyplace without being recognized?
All of these events transpired during the summers of 1982 and 1983. The film was still available. People were still talking about “E.T.” when I entered high school since it was re-releasing in theaters. Back then, there was no DVD; the product was just reissued.
As a teenager, it was tough at times to detach myself from being a boy and always being linked with being 10 years old. So that was difficult for a young man. But if it weren’t for that, it would have been something else, such as my ears, that caused me anxiety at school. [Laughs.]
However, as an actor, did you ever seek out a job that would surpass Elliott or be so surprising that people would remember you more for that role?
I believe I was attempting to do artistically viable things as a child. After “E.T.,” I took on more serious jobs. I starred in the picture “Misunderstood” with Gene Hackman, so my agent at the time attempted to develop a tragic arc for my career. Award-worthy endeavors
As a child, I was more interested in adventurous activities, and my parents were quite protective of me, so I wasn’t seeking for anything to surpass Elliott.
Henry Thomas and Dabney Coleman in “Cloak & Dagger,” left to right.
Universal
I’m a huge fan of your film “Cloak & Dagger” with Dabney Coleman, which was released shortly after “E.T.” and showcases your desire to tell action-packed stories.
That’s wonderful to hear. Yes, that was where my mind was when I was 12 years old.
Do you have an interesting Dabney Coleman tale?
I do not believe Dabney truly desired to be there. He was thinking, “I have to act opposite the ET kid?” But he was fantastic. It was very enjoyable.
Have you ever been close to collaborating with Spielberg again?
I had several auditions for him throughout the years —
What? He required you to audition for him? Your Elliot audition is one of the best ever. He had no idea what he would receive?
Well, I guess that didn’t last. I auditioned for “Saving Private Ryan” and several more projects, but we have not collaborated since then.
Brad Pitt (left) and Henry Thomas (right) in “Legends of the Fall.”
Sony
Was it more enjoyable to hang out with Brad Pitt after a day of filming “Legends of the Fall” or Leonardo DiCaprio after a day of filming “Gangs of New York”?
Brad Pitt. Much more fun. I did not actually socialize with Leo. But I socialized with Brad. We got along well, so we enjoyed ourselves. And we were out in the mountains in the middle of nowhere, so perhaps that played a role.
In addition, “Legends of the Fall” was one of my favorite films in which I participated. I believe it to be a beautiful film.
This group of young artists is extremely open to discussing their mental health. In the 1980s, when you were 10, 11, and 12 years old, how did you navigate the industry?
My generation, Generation X, did everything. You got harmed, applied a bandage, and completed the task. And this was the outlook on life and work. I did not seek much assistance from outside sources. Perhaps I would be in better mental health if I had, but I believe I’m doing fine.
I mean, we were not coddled as children. You were left to navigate alone; as long as you were safe, everything was OK.
William Henry Thomas
Photograph by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
If you entered the industry as a young child now, could you possibly fathom going through it all in the social media era?
As an adult, I have difficulty adjusting to this circumstance. Even if you worked in the film industry in the 1970s, 1980s, or 1990s, you would be arrested for your behavior today. I mean, that’s the gist of it. It is more of an attitude than anything else.
I’m not suggesting it was better back then; I’m only stating that it’s odd to navigate the seas at the moment. I recently worked with a man in his eighties who was terminated for an HR-related reason. So, nobody’s secure. [Laughs.]
When was the last time you watched “E.T.” from beginning to end?
Twenty years ago, at the 20th-anniversary screening, John Williams conducted a live orchestra performance of the film’s score. And to be completely honest, I was watching the orchestra and John Williams and not the film.
I mean, you already know how the film ends.
Yeah. I was present.
The Blu-ray movie “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” celebrating its 40th anniversary is now available.