Steven Spielberg Reveals The Profound Impact E.T. Had On His Personal Life

gamerant.com:

Critically acclaimed director Steven Spielberg has recently revealed how much the experience of making E.T. ended up having such a profound impact on his personal life.

Today, Spielberg is known as one of the most successful directors to exist in the industry. His career started back in 1969 when he had the opportunity to direct Joan Crawford in the television anthology series titled Night Gallery. From that moment forward, Spielberg has gone on to direct and produce some of the most popular, successful films of all time, including Jaws, Schindler's List, Jurassic Park,and his latest Oscar-award winning adaptation of West Side Story. Although Spielberg seems to have a never-ending list of classics under his belt, perhaps his most beloved movie unanimously amongst his fans might just be his 1982 science-fiction blockbuster, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. The film had quite the impressive cast list, starring Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore.

Watching Henry Thomas' 1981 Audition For E.T. Will Make You Cry

Since E.T.'s 40th anniversary is steadily approaching, a grand celebration is in order. To mark the occasion, a brand-new IMAX rendering of the film was presented at the TCM Classic Film Festival, which, of course, Spielberg attended. To introduce the screening, Spielberg took a moment to look back on his outstanding career. During a conversation with TCM host Ben Mankiewicz, the director shared the meaningful impact E.T. continues to have on his life. He talked about the rare connection he felt at the time to the film’s child stars, particularly Barrymore. He had never really quite felt that strong kinship with a child before where he felt as though he could see himself as a father