E.T. movie star Henry Thomas is unrecognisable 41 years since he was Elliot in alien hit

ok.co.uk:

Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T.The Extra-Terrestrial is undoubtedly a movie classic. It made stars not only of the convincing alien creature who fell to earth and was found in a family's backyard, but also of a young Drew Barrymore, as Gertie, and 10 year old Henry Thomas as her brother, Elliott.The movie followed fearless Henry's efforts to look after the awkward and naughty ET as he navigates life on earth, but who gets increasingly sick away from his home in space, and desperately tries to "phone home" for help.

ET was Henry's second-ever acting role, but he wasn't originally cast for the part. Another young actor began filming as Elliot, but had to be let go when he started playing up on the movie set.

Henry later told Esquire magazine how he bagged the role, remembering: "I read a scene from some early version of the script, and then I was asked to do an improvisation. "I think the gist of the improv was, 'You found someone, and they’re going to take them away from you, and it’s your friend, and you really don’t want your friend to go away.' So I started crying, and really going for it I guess." It's ironic when you realise he only started acting to get out of having to take piano lessons.

Director Steven Spielberg had previously revealed to Premiere magazine that young Henry had immediately sealed his fate, saying: "The improvisation was so heartfelt and honest that I gave him the part right there.