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For many born in the 80s and 90s, the movie E.T. is a childhood classic. The film's widespread appeal is centered around the possibility of sparking a friendship with an extraterrestrial creature.
However for Drew Barrymore, E.T. was more than simple childhood imagination.
The actor played the character of Gertie in the movie when she was 5 years-old. Barrymore recently revealed on her talk show that as a child star she believed E.T. was actually alive.
See the clip below:
\u201cDrew reveals that she believed E.T. was real as a kid in an epic reunion episode this Monday! Find out how you can watch: https://t.co/3yRe9N8zsg\n\nCourtesy of @UniversalPics and @amblin.\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
Barrymore hosted her E.T. costars Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton and Dee Wallace on The Drew Barrymore Show leading the stars to reminisce about the actor's obsession with the cinematic alien.
The lifelike E.T. robot which was used in the movie was a popular attraction for a young Drew Barrymore. She was often spotted by her costars talking to the robot and at one point even requested he be given a scarf during a particularly cold day.
\u201cE.T\u306e\u81ea\u8ee2\u8eca\u306b\u4e57\u308c\u3066\u30c6\u30f3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\u7206\u4e0a\u304c\u308a\u3067\u3059\uff01\uff01\uff01\uff01\uff01\n\nE.T\u3081\u3063\u3061\u3083\u3081\u3093\u3053\u3044\u3093\u3060\u3051\u3069\u2764\ufe0f\n\n#TIFFJP \n #ET40\u5468\u5e74\u201d— \u307e\u304a\u308a\u3093 (@\u307e\u304a\u308a\u3093) 1667194275
Director Steven Spielberg was attuned to the young actor's imagination and so he recruited two crew members to keep E.T. "alive" so Barrymore could live out her childhood fantasy.
The actor came to the set each day and took lunch to E.T. making sure his needs were met.
Many in the comments had similar experiences to Barrymore as children who watched E.T.
\u201c@mattgillman1975 @DrewBarrymoreTV @UniversalPics @amblin @DrewBarrymore Same here. Was born in 76 and I still feel he is real myself. I would have totally been her and taken care of him if I was her as an actress too\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
\u201c@DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin I cried. When it came out on video I was in late teens, early 20's(?) and I cried at the end. I couldn't help it. My boyfriend totally laughed at me. I still believe\u2764\ud83d\ude09\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
\u201c@dawnresist @DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin I totally understand you on that. He just touches your heart with his purity and sweetness. I dare say humans could stand to learn those qualities from him.\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
\u201c@DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin Aww! He looked real to my little eyes as well. For an actor, it must be surreal to know you\u2019re part of a movie that became a classic. Timeless E.T phone home. \u2764\ufe0f\nSo great to see y\u2019all together!\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
Others commended director Steven Spielberg for bringing E.T. to life.
\u201c@DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin this is so sweet.. & not surprising that Spielberg has a heart of gold, what a beautiful memory.\n\ne.t. was one of the few movies my grandparents had at their house! i watched that, wizard of oz & rikki rikki tavi so many times\u2764\ufe0f only watched where the red fern grows once though\ud83d\udc94\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
\u201c@DrewBarrymoreTV @UniversalPics @amblin I BELIEVED THAT TOO. Also how amazing is Spielberg for caring enough about her to keep E.T. real for as long as possible?? Just beautiful.\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
While, some remembered the movie's ending bringing them to tears.
\u201c@DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin That\u2019s awesome! I remember that movie destroyed me as a kid. First one I saw in the theater.\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
\u201c@Filmmaking_2021 @DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin Me too. I guess I was bawling so bad when he was dying my parents were thinking they had traumatized me. When he came back I was crying and smiling. This was in the middle of the theater. My parents decided then to watch the movies first and then take me. Haha.\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
\u201c@DrewBarrymoreTV @CBS @UniversalPics @amblin That movie had me balling tears \ud83d\ude2d omg ET phone home I get sad thinking about it\u201d— The Drew Barrymore Show (@The Drew Barrymore Show) 1666974132
Unfortunately for fans hoping for a modern day sequel, Barrymore and company shared Spielberg will likely not make one. The star further claimed Spielberg said he would "never" remake the movie.
Instead, the director has decided to leave it as the classic it is.
Spielberg is now working on an autobiographical project called The Fabelmans which may feature some of the moments that went into the making of E.T..