Dee Wallace, the actress renowned for her role as the divorced mother of three in Steven Spielberg’s beloved film “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial,” recounted memorable experiences from the production during an appearance on Steve Kmetko’s “Still Here Hollywood” podcast. The last big “event” movie was “E.T.” — released in 1982. Even when adjusted for inflation, it still rates in the top 10 grossing movies of all time, and its legacy continues to live on.
During the podcast, Wallace recalled his favorite scene. Making his movie magic, Spielberg added a whimsical touch, dropping Reese’s Pieces on her bedside table as she pretended to sleep. This small gesture highlighted the director’s playful involvement in the filmmaking process, which contributed to the film’s charm.
Wallace shared a wonderful example of her instincts at an actress coming into play. She had some reservations about the hiding sheet and how we were establishing it throughout the scene. She didn’t waste any time addressing her concerns, going to Spielberg directly. Spielberg didn’t just ignore or belittle her feelings. He respected her unease and went back and forth with Wallace, producer Kathleen Kennedy and screenwriter Melissa Mathison to come to a middle ground. She rolled the sheet down to a more dignified position, rolling it up almost to Wallace’s shoulder blades.
“We kind of agree with her, Steven.” – Kathleen Kennedy and Melissa Mathison
The actress shared that despite this creative difference, she holds fond memories of her time on “E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.” She remembered one other day on set that was particularly difficult emotionally. At one particularly powerful moment, she lost it. In order to shield her children’s innocent hearts from witnessing her pain, she left the dining room table. Spielberg took note of her leaving and stopped her with concern.
“Dee, why did you get up and leave?” – Steven Spielberg
Wallace’s experiences on set reflect the collaborative spirit that characterized much of the film’s production. She noted that Spielberg’s approach often involved quick thinking and adaptability, exemplified by his directive:
“You’ve got a half an hour, build me a wall here with a sink with running water. Thirty minutes.” – Steven Spielberg
Most folks probably remember Wallace as the girl in “E.T.” She set the world on fire with her steamy love scene with Dudley Moore in Blake Edwards’ smash-hit comedy “10.” Yet, among all of her memorable experiences on “E.T.,” creatively and collaboratively, those simple, poignant moments remain unforgettable.
