Erika Eleniak on how Spielberg comforted her before E.T. kiss scene
Synopsis
Erika Eleniak has revealed that a 12-year-old version of herself cried in her trailer before filming the E.T. kiss scene — and that it was Steven Spielberg's decision to clear the set and comfort both child actors that made the moment possible. The recollection adds a quietly human dimension to one of cinema's most iconic productions.
Key Takeaways
Erika Eleniak was 12 years old when she was cast in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) after being spotted by a talent scout at a showcase.
She retreated to her trailer in tears before the kiss scene, describing herself as 'so nervous.' Steven Spielberg ordered a 'closed set' for the scene, keeping only essential crew present to ease both child actors.
Co-star Henry Thomas , then 10 years old , also needed Spielberg's reassurance before filming.
Eleniak watched the completed film for the first time at the Hollywood Dome theater with her mother, grandmother, and sister.
After E.T., she went on to star in Baywatch as Shauni McClain , as well as Under Siege and The Beverly Hillbillies .
Actress Erika Eleniak has opened up about her debut film experience on E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, revealing how director Steven Spielberg's personal warmth helped her and co-star Henry Thomas get through an on-screen kiss that left both child actors visibly nervous. Eleniak shared the recollection in an Instagram caption, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Hollywood's most beloved productions.
How Eleniak Was Discovered
Eleniak was just 12 years old when a talent scout working for Spielberg spotted her at a showcase performance. She recalled meeting the director for the first time with little context about who he was. 'I didn't even know who Steven was at that time!' she wrote. 'I went and met with him, he was so nice to me and asked me if I wanted to be in his movie! Of course I said yes.'
Nerves Behind the Camera
Filming on the production was kept deliberately private — cast and crew were not permitted to socialise after shoots. When the moment arrived to film the kiss scene, Eleniak retreated to her trailer in tears. 'I was so nervous,' she admitted. Spielberg responded by ordering a 'closed set,' ensuring only the crew essential to operating the camera were present. The gesture, she said, made an enormous difference. Henry Thomas, then just 10 years old, reportedly needed similar reassurance, having declared himself a member of a 'girl haters club.' Spielberg comforted him as well, and Eleniak recalled that the director 'made everyone laugh and feel good.'
Seeing E.T. for the First Time
Eleniak described her first viewing of the completed film as a genuinely overwhelming experience. She watched it alongside her mother, grandmother, and sister at the Hollywood Dome theater. 'My jaw hit the floor! I was not prepared for such an amazing film,' she wrote, adding that the experience was 'one I will forever be grateful for being a part of and cherish always.'
About E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was released in 1982. The science fantasy film follows Elliott, a boy who befriends a stranded extraterrestrial he names E.T., and his efforts — alongside friends and family — to help the creature return home. The film stars Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote, Robert MacNaughton, and Drew Barrymore.
Eleniak's Career After E.T.
Following her debut, Eleniak went on to appear in The Blob, Under Siege, and The Beverly Hillbillies. She rose to wider fame through her long-running role as Shauni McClain in the television series Baywatch, which cemented her as a household name through the late 1980s and 1990s.
Point of View
Deliberately and sensitively, on set. The detail of the closed set and personal reassurance speaks to a directorial method that mainstream coverage of E.T. has rarely foregrounded. More than four decades on, the film's emotional authenticity looks less like movie magic and more like careful craft. That the story surfaces now via Instagram also reflects how social media has become the primary vehicle through which legacy Hollywood memories reach new audiences.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Erika Eleniak reveal about filming E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?
Erika Eleniak revealed that she was 12 years old when she filmed the kiss scene in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and was so nervous that she cried in her trailer beforehand. Director Steven Spielberg responded by clearing the set and personally reassuring both her and co-star Henry Thomas.
How did Steven Spielberg help Erika Eleniak during the E.T. kiss scene?
Spielberg ordered a 'closed set,' allowing only the crew essential to operating the camera to remain in the room. He also personally comforted both Eleniak and Henry Thomas, making them laugh and easing their nerves before the scene was filmed.
How old was Erika Eleniak when she appeared in E.T.?
Erika Eleniak was 12 years old when she appeared in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, released in 1982. She played the 'Pretty Girl' — the girl Elliott kisses at school — and it was her debut film role.
Who else starred in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial?
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) starred Henry Thomas, Dee Wallace, Drew Barrymore, Peter Coyote, and Robert MacNaughton, alongside Erika Eleniak in a smaller role.
What is Erika Eleniak best known for after E.T.?
After her debut in E.T., Erika Eleniak became widely known for playing Shauni McClain in the television series Baywatch. She also appeared in films including Under Siege and The Beverly Hillbillies.
