Drew Barrymore (Gertie)

Drew Barrymore (Gertie)

While Drew Barrymore starred in "E.T." at the tender age of seven, it was not her first time in front of the camera. Born into a family of established American actors, she was already a pro at 11 months old, having appeared in a commercial. "E.T.," however, rocketed Barrymore to superstardom. Her role as Gertie, a cherubic sidekick who helps her brother, Elliott (Henry Thomas), keep his extraterrestrial friend under wraps, brought about years of childhood fame. This precipitated Barrymore's early life of drug and alcohol abuse; by the age of 14, she had been to rehab twice. In the mid-90s, the actress re-emerged as a bankable romcom star. She has since founded a production company, which has produced some of her biggest hits:"Never Been Kissed" and "Charlie's Angels." Barrymore most recently starred in the whale-saving film "The Big Miracle," which reflected her involvement in environmental issues.

Henry Thomas (Elliott)

Henry Thomas (Elliott)

At Henry Thomas's audition, the 11-year-old thought back to when his dog died. The performance, which brought tears to director Steven Spielberg's eyes, was powerful enough to land him the lead role in "E.T." Since his breakout role, Thomas has gone on to star in over 40 films, such as "Gangs of New York" and "All the Pretty Horses." He is also a musician (one of his own songs ended up on the soundtrack for "Niagara, Niagara"). Thomas will next appear in Michael Polish's big-screen adaptation of "Big Sur."

Dee Wallace (Mary, Elliott's Mom)

Dee Wallace (Mary, Elliott's Mom)

Before she was cast as Elliott's mother in the 1982 classic, Dee Wallace had already made her mark on the cult horror film genre, having appeared in 1977's "The Hills Have Eyes" and 1981's "The Howling." These roles seemed to pick up steam after "E.T." Today, Wallace capitalizes on her celebrity status in the horror community by traveling around to various conventions, signing autographs and connecting with fans. She has several upcoming films listed, from Rob Zombie's puritanical turn "The Lords of Salem" to the rumored "A Nightmare on Elm Street 2."

Peter Coyote (Keys)

Peter Coyote (Keys)

Peter Coyote began doing play work at San Francisco's Magic Theatre in 1978, "to shake the rust out." After a few supporting parts, he landed the role of Keys, the mysterious scientist in "E.T." His character name -- which is never revealed -- is listed as such because he is wearing a keychain in first half of the film. In addition to being a committed practitioner of American Zen Buddhism and publishing articles in "Mother Jones," he continued to act after "E.T.," with credits including "A Walk To Remember" and "Erin Brockovich." (He's also done some voiceover work.) Coyote most recently appeared in the HBO movie "Hemingway & Gellhorn."

Robert MacNaughton (Michael)

Robert MacNaughton (Michael)

After playing Elliott's older brother Michael, Robert MacNaughton went on to star in the Robert Cormier adaptation "I Am the Cheese," alongside Cynthia Nixon. His theater background also played a big part in his professional life, pre- and post-"E.T." (He worked with Kevin Kline during the production of "Henry V" at the New York Shakespeare Festival.) Robert also starred in a number of TV movies before giving up acting for good in 2002, after which he worked as a mailman in Phoenix, Arizona before transferring to New Jersey.

C. Thomas Howell (Tyler)

(Far left)

C. Thomas Howell (Tyler)

Unlike Michael's other friends -- Steve and Greg (played by Sean Frye and K.C. Martel) -- C. Thomas Howell parlayed his childhood fame into an adult career. (He was originally only supposed to be a child stuntman on the film, but got a small role instead.) After his performance, he would go on to play the lead in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Outsiders" alongside a bevy of '80s hunks (Matt Dillon, Patrick Swayze and Tom Cruise). He later reunited with Swayze in "Grandview, U.S.A.," and "Red Dawn." Howell will next appear in 2012's "The Amazing Spider-Man."

Erika Eleniak (Pretty Girl)

Erika Eleniak (Pretty Girl)

Playing the object of Elliott's affection would turn out to be prophetic for Erika Eleniak. After portraying the labeled "Pretty Girl" in "E.T.", her looks would come to define her career. Like Barrymore, Eleniak struggled with drugs and alcohol, but kicked the problem in the late '80s. In 1989, she decided to pose for "Playboy." Soon after, Eleniak was cast in "Baywatch" as the lead female role for three seasons. In film, she put her magazine past to good use, portraying a Playmate in "Under Siege" with Steven Seagal. Years later, Eleniak's struggle with weight issues would earn her a spot on 2006's Celebrity Fit Club. She will next appear in the religious indie "Meant to Be."

Melissa Mathison (Writer)

Melissa Mathison (Writer)

Melissa Mathison received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for her work on "E.T." After "E.T.," she went on to pen such films as "Twilight Zone: The Movie," "The Indian in the Cupboard" and Martin Scorsese's "Kundun." In 1983, Mathison wed Spielberg-muse Harrison Ford; they were married for 21 years before divorcing in 2004. The couple had two children together, Malcolm Carswell Ford and Georgia Ford.