HOT GALLERY: Snakkle Phones Home as E.T. Turns 31

Henry Thomas as Elliott

Henry Thomas auditioned for the part of Elliott alongside hundreds of other boys, and though his original reading didn’t impress producers, his tears on cue in improvised scenes put his name at the top of the list. Only 10 years old at the time, Thomas led a cast comprised mainly of other child actors.

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Henry Thomas Today

In addition to continuing his acting career, Thomas is also involved in music. In the mid-'90s he performed with the band the Blue Heelers, and while they never landed a record deal, they enjoyed wide success in their home state of Texas. Today Thomas lives in L.A. and is a member of the band Farspeaker. His next movie, Big Sur, is slated for release in late 2012.

Drew Barrymore as Gertie

Drew Barrymore was only 6 years old when she made her breakthrough performance as young Gertie in E.T. Director Steven Spielberg, who is also her godfather, felt her mischievous imagination made her perfect for the role. Unfortunately, her early successes led her down the familiar path of self-destruction that plagues many young actors. She has since made the transition from child star to A-lister and cleaned up her life.

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Drew Barrymore Today

These days Drew Barrymore is all grown up. She continues to act as well as produce and direct through her own production company, Flower Films, which she co-owns with a friend. In 2012 she starred with John Krasinski in Big Miracle. She married art consultant Will Kopelman on June 2, 2012, and is currently rumored to be pregnant with her first child.

Robert MacNaughton as Michael

MacNaughton played the part of typical needling older brother to Elliott and Gertie. Even though he was particularly menacing to Elliott, he came through for him in the end, helping E.T. to escape his would-be captors and return home.

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Robert MacNaughton Today

Robert MacNaughton left acting in the late '80s after appearing in several TV series and TV movies. He currently resides in Jersey City with his wife and son and works as a mail handler.

Dee Wallace as Mary

Before she was cast as the mother in E.T., Dee Wallace was the queen of horror films. Her sweet demeanor and all-American girl-next-door good looks garnered her a cult following among sci-fi fans. In the film, Wallace portrayed Elliott’s often-harried single mom.

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Dee Wallace Today

Dee Wallace has appeared in over 90 feature films. In addition to her acting, she is also a best-selling author, public speaker, and healer. In 2011 she stepped outside of her scream queen roots to play the mother of Andy Bernard (Ed Helms) on The Office. She will return to the horror genre in Nightmare on Elm Street 2 in 2013.

Peter Coyote as Keys

Peter Coyote stars as the mysterious government agent known only as “Keys” due to the ring of keys shown hanging from his belt. Coyote, along with the rest of the adults in the film—besides Dee Wallace—were shown only from the waist up in the second half of the film.

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Peter Coyote Today

In addition to his varied acting roles, Peter Coyote is a popular narrator. He has narrated many events and been the voice of several campaigns, including the 2002 Olympics and Apple’s iPad ads. Coyote is also a Zen Buddhist and has been practicing since his late teenage years.

C. Thomas Howell as Tyler

As a child, C. Thomas Howell performed on the rodeo circuit with his father, earning a junior rodeo champion title at 12 years old. In addition to his role of Michael's friend Tyler, Howell worked as a child stuntman on set. After E.T., he landed the lead role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Outsiders.

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C. Thomas Howell Today

Howell made the transition from child star to adult actor, continuing to appear in both film and television. He has also worked as a producer and director, several times with Francis Ford Coppola. He currently stars in the television police drama Southland and has several movies in production, including The Amazing Spider-Man.

Sean Frye as Steve

Sean Frye portrayed Steve, one of Michael’s friends who helps Elliott and E.T. escape. Frye grew up surrounded by Hollywood: His father is actor Virgil Frye, and his half sister is fellow child star Soleil Moon Frye.

Sean Frye Today

After appearing in E.T., Sean Frye only appeared in a handful of roles. He left the spotlight to pursue a career in social work after the death of two close friends.

Erika Eleniak as “Pretty Girl”

Erika Eleniak began modeling in her early teenage years for TV commercials. Her small part in E.T. was her first acting job. In the movie, Elliott’s psychic connection to E.T. causes him to kiss Eleniak in science class as a result of E.T. watching a movie in which John Wayne kisses Maureen O’Hara.

Erika Eleniak Today

In 1989, Eleniak won the lead role in the television drama Baywatch and continued with the show until its third season, when Pamela Anderson was brought on as the lead female. Eleniak took a break from acting in 2006 when her daughter was born. Recently she has appeared in episodes of Desperate Housewives and CSI: Miami. She will appear in the Christian drama Meant to Be later this year.