Steven Spielberg has made several brilliant movies, but one of his most prolific movies stands out from the rest for its tear-jerking, heart-pounding nature. No less than a cultural phenomenon, Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has touched millions of hearts since its release in 1982. Now counted among the greatest movies of all time, the film is especially captivating thanks to Henry Thomas.
Starring as Elliot, a young boy who befriended an alien, Thomas was a child prodigy whose portrayal made the film even more special and touching. Becoming an overnight superstar, the young star’s meteoric rise to success was a double-edged sword, for it made his life extremely tumultuous. The impact on his childhood and family life was such, that the actor did not want his kids to pursue acting.
Steven Spielberg’s E.T. Star Henry Thomas Led a Tumultuous Life Due to Early Fame
Little Henry Thomas could not have imagined the impact a small audition would have on his and his family’s life. Having done just a single film, the young star was just nine years old when he gave an audition for one of Steven Spielberg’s best films of all time, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The audition changed his life in many ways. One, it made little Thomas an overnight superstar, and two, it disturbed his family life in ways he could not have fantasized about.
While talking to The Guardian, in an interview published last year, Thomas recalled,
It was a total unexpected side-effect of doing this fun thing I had wanted to do. I had no clue that my life would change in any way. I worked on this movie, then I’m back on the farm, I’m back at school – but now people are pointing at me in the street.
Stating that his whole family was thrown off track by his meteoric rise to fame as a child prodigy, the actor revealed how his mother was impacted by his fame.
She was doing the best job that she knew how to do.
Yet, it was still hard to take in for the actor revealed how they had to call the authorities more than a few times due to the unbelievable success of the film. Now 52 years old, the actor reveals that given the tumultuous experience of his childhood, he won’t put his kids through the same thing.
Henry Thomas Won’t Let His Kids Pursue Acting
Henry Thomas captivated the world with his ingenious talent when he starred as young Elliot in Steven Spielberg‘s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. However, getting the fame that others only dream of was more than he or his family could have handled. Despite putting him on the threshold of fame, it brought a host of difficulties that very few could comprehend.
Thus, reflecting on his experiences, the actor has often spoken on the less glamorous side of child stardom. Having candidly shared his experiences in the past, the actor has maintained that he would not let his three kids follow the same path. When asked again about his decision during his interview with The Guardian, Thomas remarked,
Pursue it when you’re older. I still don’t think it’s a great way to grow up. It was exciting for me, I went to some strange locales and met some interesting people. But it was also very disruptive to my parents’ marriage. Our social life got weird.
Expanding on his argument, he added,
You get famous and suddenly every cousin that you never knew looks you up. People are strange, they do weird stuff. As a kid, that’s a lot to deal with. And when you’re an adult [too], but at least then you have all of the faculties, hopefully, to deal with fame.
Now a remarkable actor with projects like Gangs of New York and The Haunting of Hill House under his belt, his role as Elliot continues to inspire many. While Spielberg’s E.T. remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences, it also serves as a reminder of the personal toll that fame can take on young actors.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial can be rented on Amazon Prime.
