Drew Barrymore in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial: A Definitive History of Gertie

Drew Barrymore played the role of Gertie, the precocious younger sister of Elliott, in Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi classic E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. At just seven years old, her natural charisma and emotional performance made her a global icon, launching one of the most resilient and successful careers in Hollywood history.

The Discovery of a Star: The Casting of Gertie

In 1981, when Steven Spielberg was casting for his top-secret project then titled A Boy’s Life, he wasn't looking for polished child actors who could recite lines with mechanical precision. He was looking for authenticity, imagination, and a certain "spark" that could make the presence of an alien puppet feel believable to a global audience.

Drew Barrymore, a descendant of the legendary Barrymore acting dynasty, walked into the audition at age six. While most children were nervous, Barrymore famously charmed Spielberg by telling him a bold lie: she claimed she wasn't just an actress, but the lead singer of a punk rock band called the "Purple People Eaters." She described her "tours" and her "bandmates" with such conviction that Spielberg immediately realized she possessed the vivid imagination necessary for the role.

Spielberg later noted that it wasn't the lie itself that got her the job, but the way she believed in her own fiction. This quality was essential for a film where the child actors had to treat a complex animatronic creature as a living, breathing best friend. She was cast as Gertie, the youngest of the three siblings, providing the perfect foil to the more serious Elliott (Henry Thomas) and the cynical Michael (Robert MacNaughton).

Character Analysis: Gertie’s Role in the Narrative

Gertie serves a specific and vital function in the narrative structure of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. While Elliott represents the soul and Michael represents the protector, Gertie represents the audience's initial fear and eventual acceptance.

The Bridge Between Fear and Friendship

When Gertie first encounters E.T. in Elliott's bedroom, her reaction is the most visceral and famous in the movie: a high-pitched, genuine scream that remains one of the film's most iconic sound bites. This moment grounds the film in reality; a seven-year-old girl would logically be terrified of a shriveled, glowing-fingered creature.

However, her character arc is the quickest to transition from terror to nurturing. Within hours, she is the one teaching E.T. how to speak, using her "Speak & Spell" toy and a set of alphabet blocks. This transition is crucial because it signals to the audience that E.T. is not a threat, but a guest and a student of human culture.

The Source of Humility and Humor

Gertie provides the film’s most enduring moments of levity. The scene where she dresses E.T. in a blonde wig, hat, and jewelry—turning the alien into a "lady"—is more than just a gag. It humanizes the creature and demonstrates the innocence of childhood, where anything can be part of a game. Her character reminds the viewers that despite the high-stakes government chases and biological crises, at its heart, this is a story about the simplicity of companionship.

The Magic of the Set: Spielberg’s Directing Style

Working with children requires a unique directorial approach, and Steven Spielberg was masterful in how he handled the young Barrymore. To ensure her reactions were genuine, Spielberg chose to shoot the film in nearly chronological order. This allowed the young actors to develop a real emotional bond with the E.T. puppet as the story progressed.

Treating E.T. as a Living Being

During production, Spielberg encouraged the crew to keep E.T. "alive" even when the cameras weren't rolling. The animatronic operators would move E.T.’s eyes or hands if Barrymore was nearby, leading her to talk to the puppet between takes. She famously worried about E.T. getting cold and would bring him blankets.

This "method acting" by a seven-year-old was not a calculated choice by Barrymore but a result of the immersive environment Spielberg created. The tears she sheds when E.T. appears to die later in the film were largely fueled by the genuine affection she had developed for the character on set. This emotional honesty is why the performance resonates as much in 2026 as it did in 1982.

The Godfather Connection

The bond between Spielberg and Barrymore extended beyond the screen. Spielberg eventually became her godfather, a role he took seriously as she navigated the complexities of sudden, overwhelming fame. On set, he was a protective figure, often shielding her from the more technical, sterile aspects of filmmaking to preserve her sense of wonder.

Cinematic Legacy and the Barrymore Dynasty

While Drew Barrymore was born into "Hollywood royalty," her role in E.T. was her own achievement. She was the first of the modern Barrymores to achieve such a massive global reach at such a young age, surpassing even the early fame of her grandfather, John Barrymore.

Impact on Child Stardom

The success of E.T. made Barrymore the most famous child in the world virtually overnight. This led to a series of "firsts," including her becoming the youngest person to ever host Saturday Night Live at age seven. However, the legacy of her performance is often discussed in the context of the pressures of child stardom.

By the mid-1980s, the "E.T. girl" was a household name, a level of scrutiny that contributed to her well-documented personal struggles in her early teens. Her eventual professional resurrection in the 1990s and her current status as a media mogul and talk show host in 2026 are often viewed through the lens of her E.T. beginnings—a journey from a precocious child to a resilient survivor.

Technical Data and Cast Overview

To understand the dynamic of the "E.T. kids," it is helpful to look at how the characters were balanced within the film's structure.

The 40th Anniversary and Beyond

In 2022, the cast of E.T. held a widely publicized 40th-anniversary reunion on The Drew Barrymore Show. This event was a landmark moment for film historians and fans alike. Barrymore, Thomas, MacNaughton, and Wallace discussed how the film had shaped their lives.

Looking back from 2026, the film remains a cornerstone of the American Film Institute's rankings. Barrymore’s performance is frequently cited in acting workshops as the gold standard for child performances, specifically for her "reactivity." She didn't just say lines; she reacted to the world around her, a trait that has defined her career for over four decades.

Behind-the-Scenes Facts and Trivia

• The "Speak & Spell" Connection: It was Barrymore’s idea, in part, to use toys to interact with E.T., which led to the famous communication scenes.
• The Scream: Barrymore’s scream when she first sees E.T. was so loud it actually startled the puppeteers and crew, leading to a perfectly authentic take.
• The "Lady E.T." Outfit: The clothes used to dress E.T. were actual items from the production's wardrobe and some were reportedly selected by the children to make the scene feel like a real "playtime" session.
• BAFTA Nomination: Barrymore received a BAFTA nomination for Most Outstanding Newcomer to Leading Film Roles, a rare feat for a child of seven.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old was Drew Barrymore when she filmed E.T.?

Drew Barrymore was six years old when filming began in late 1981 and turned seven during the production and promotion of the film in 1982. Her young age was a significant factor in her ability to treat the animatronic E.T. as a real entity, which Spielberg used to his advantage.

Did Drew Barrymore really believe E.T. was real?

To a certain extent, yes. Because Steven Spielberg kept the puppet "alive" on set and directed the film in chronological order, Barrymore developed a genuine emotional attachment to the creature. She famously brought it scarves to keep it warm and talked to it between takes.

Was E.T. Drew Barrymore's first movie?

No, it was not her first appearance. She had previously appeared in the 1980 film Altered States, where she played Margaret Jessup. However, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was her breakout role and the film that established her as a major star.

Is Steven Spielberg Drew Barrymore’s real godfather?

Yes. Spielberg became her godfather after the filming of E.T.. He remained a supportive figure throughout her life, even during her difficult teen years, and they have maintained a close relationship into the 2020s.

What happened to the clothes Gertie wore in the movie?

Many of the iconic 1980s outfits worn by Gertie, including her striped shirts and overalls, are now part of film history archives. Some items have been featured in museum exhibits celebrating the work of Amblin Entertainment and Steven Spielberg.

Recommended Next Steps for Fans

If you are interested in exploring the impact of Drew Barrymore's performance further, the best next step is to watch the 1983 Academy Awards highlights, where E.T. was a dominant force, and see the young Barrymore’s poise on the world stage. Additionally, viewing her 40th-anniversary reunion special provides deep insights into the filming process that only the cast could provide. For a technical perspective, the "Making of E.T." documentaries often feature raw footage of Barrymore interacting with the puppets, showcasing her innate talent for improvisational acting.