The Man Inside E.T. Has Been Revealed — And His Story Is Incredible

It’s been over 40 years since E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial first enchanted moviegoers worldwide, yet new information about the making of this beloved classic continues to emerge. While Steven Spielberg’s direction and storytelling remain the heart of the film’s enduring legacy, many fans are only recently learning about the remarkable team of actors who physically portrayed the alien on screen.

Before the era of advanced CGI and digital effects, filmmakers relied heavily on practical techniques to bring fantastical creatures like E.T. to life. Spielberg’s approach involved more than one person inside the iconic costume—three actors collectively gave the character its distinctive movements and personality.

Three Actors Brought E.T. to Life

Among the actors, two late performers—Tamara De Treaux and Pat Bilon—both had dwarfism and wore the costume to create E.T.’s movements during filming. However, there is a lesser-known third actor whose involvement has surprised many fans. Matthew De Meritt, who was reportedly only 11 years old at the time, was born without legs.

In a 2002 interview with The Mirror, De Meritt recalled the unique way he was chosen for the role. He demonstrated his ability to walk on his hands during a screen test for the filmmakers. “There was a fitting and they took all my measurements and they filmed me walking on my hands,” De Meritt said. “I’m not sure what they were thinking when they got me down there. I’d never demonstrated to anybody that I could walk on my hands, and I don’t see how they could think I could comfortably fit inside a costume and walk around and make a convincing alien—but it kind of worked out that way.”

De Meritt’s distinctive ability to move in this way was exactly what the production needed to give E.T. a believable, otherworldly gait.

Fans Express Surprise Over De Meritt’s Role

The news of De Meritt’s involvement gained traction recently when it was shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Fans expressed surprise and curiosity about whether he was credited in the film. Comments ranged from “Did he get listed in the credits? It’s been ages since I saw that movie,” to “I was today years old when I learned this.”

While De Meritt now maintains a low profile, he reunited with Spielberg and other cast members in 2022 for a special 40th anniversary screening of E.T. in Hollywood, celebrating the film’s lasting impact and the dedicated team behind the scenes.