22 Facts You May Not Know About 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'6 of 22
Three's Company
Puppetry was used to bring E.T. to life on the screen, requiring the talents of three actors in scenes where the alien moves. Tamara De Treaux and Pat Bilon, both about 3-feet tall, spent most of the time in the full-body suit, while 12-year-old Matthew De Meritt took over in scenes where E.T. walked. De Meritt was born without legs but was an expert at walking on his hands. Steven Spielberg insisted that these puppeteers not be too much of a presence on the set so as to heighten the illusion for his child actors that the alien was real.
Puppetry was used to bring E.T. to life on the screen, requiring the talents of three actors in scenes where the alien moves. Tamara De Treaux and Pat Bilon, both about 3-feet tall, spent most of the time in the full-body suit, while 12-year-old Matthew De Meritt took over in scenes where E.T. walked. De Meritt was born without legs but was an expert at walking on his hands. Steven Spielberg insisted that these puppeteers not be too much of a presence on the set so as to heighten the illusion for his child actors that the alien was real.
PeopleHenry Thomas, Pat Welsh
Photo by Universal Studios - © 1982 Universal Pictures