Forum | Former Teen Stars

#1 · July 2, 2025, 2:47 pm

Henry Thomas was born on September 9, 1971, and was one of the best-known child stars of the 1980s, even if it was for one single iconic film, and that film is E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. I just added the topic in another category, but this film defines the 80s and those who were kids at that time, who cried in the movie theatres, and they went back for viewing after viewing.

When this film was in first run and then its big VHS release, he was the Macaulay Culkin of the '80s, as E.T. did for him what "Home Alone" did for Mac.

Henry Thomas, before ET appeared the year prior in the TV movie "The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid" and the Sisy Spacek feature "Raggedy Man," but the next year ET launched him into orbit as likely the best known child star of the 80s.Two years later, he was in the tearjerker "Misunderstood" and the fun film "Cloak & Dagger" with Dabney Coleman. Another film of note was 1986's The Quest, which was another good film for kids and the entire family, as all the films he did seemed to have that appeal.

So hurray to Henry Thomas and his awesome 80s films that are a part of the memories of kids from that decade.

#2 · July 13, 2025, 10:54 pm

I wanted to be him when I was 5, saw E.T. on DVD, and boy, I wish I were Henry Thomas.

#3 · July 19, 2025, 12:10 am

Quote from Eldon on July 13, 2025, 10:54 pm

I wanted to be him when I was 5, saw E.T. on DVD, and boy, I wish I were Henry Thomas.

I think every kid in the 80s felt the same.

#4 · July 22, 2025, 4:12 pm

Yep, he must have been the most popular for sure. I would not know. I am way too young, but even when I first saw it, I was a fan and wished I were him.

#5 · August 16, 2025, 1:16 pm

Well, he left Hollywood to bale hay on an Oregon farm because he was upstaged by an ugly as all hell Alien. Never really did much besides that syrupy mess, and do not mention Cloan and Dagger, that was pure rubbish strictly for grade schoolers.

GLOBAL WARMING is a HOAX. I am an ANTI-WOKE Machine.

#6 · August 26, 2025, 5:03 pm

Quote from monk on August 16, 2025, 1:16 pm

Well, he left Hollywood to bale hay on an Oregon farm because he was upstaged by an ugly as all hell Alien. Never really did much besides that syrupy mess, and do not mention Cloan and Dagger, that was pure rubbish strictly for grade schoolers.

Well, regardless, he had a hell of a run and starred in maybe the most famous film of the '80s. At the release of this movie, he was riding higher than Everest, and every kid wanted to be him.

#7 · August 27, 2025, 4:53 pm

Quote from Numbers on July 22, 2025, 4:12 pm

Yep, he must have been the most popular for sure. I would not know. I am way too young, but even when I first saw it, I was a fan and wished I were him.

Yes, my parents were one of those kids. lol

#8 · August 27, 2025, 4:53 pm

I don't think too much of the movie either, but I guess back then it was a big thing.

#9 · August 27, 2025, 5:07 pm

Quote from Leosgirl on August 27, 2025, 4:53 pm

I don't think too much of the movie either, but I guess back then it was a big thing.

The biggest, and I don't get it, at what age did you see it? I am curious if today's kids are no fans of E.T.

#10 · September 1, 2025, 9:23 am

The kid was on top of the world when this film was first released, I am sure, before my time, but all accounts lead to that.