Former child star Henry Thomas, known for his role in E.T. after the release of the film, has given a rare interview to explain his struggle with child stardom. Thomas, who played the role of Elliot in the movie, expressed surprise at the sudden success and pressure to perform better. He was living in Texas with his family at the time, which led to a lack of interest in agents. Despite stepping aside from acting to focus on school, Thomas continued to perform on TV shows such as 8 Simple Rules and Last Man Standing. He also had a successful career as an adult and is currently directing and acting in the 2023 Lifetime movie Secrets at the Museum.