An actress known for her iconic role in a beloved 1980s sci-fi blockbuster was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles just one day after Christmas.
The star has additionally made appearances in a number of projects within the horror genre during the span of her successful career thus far.
She has a whopping 272 acting credits to her name since she began working professionally in the entertainment industry in the mid-70s.
Beforehand, the Emmy-nominated actress had been a high school drama teacher in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri.
The movie and television star garnered a passion for acting due to her own mother – who had been a stage actress.
But can you guess who it is?
An actress known for her iconic role in a beloved sci-fi blockbuster was spotted on a rare outing in Los Angeles just one day after Christmas
It is Dee Wallace, 76 – who notably played the character of single mother Mary Taylor in Steven Spielberg’s hit movie E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
The film was released in theaters in 1982, and became the highest-grossing movie of all time for 11 years until Jurassic Park (1993).
Other stars that were cast in the blockbuster included Drew Barrymore, Henry Thomas, Robert MacNaughton, Peter Coyote and C. Thomas Howell.
E.T. was a critical success among critics and audiences, raking in a whopping $792.9 million in the box office on a budget of $10.5 million.
The project also received a total of nine Oscar nominations, winning four: Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound and Best Sound Editing.
During her latest outing in Los Angeles earlier this week on Thursday, Wallace was seen walking her dog in a quiet neighborhood.
The star kept it casual wearing a long-sleeved, gray sweatshirt as well as a pair of cream-colored sweatpants.
For a finishing touch, Dee slipped into a pair of comfy, black sneakers that were secured with laces.
It is Dee Wallace, 76 – who notably played the character of single mother Mary Taylor in Steven Spielberg’s hit movie E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial; seen above with Drew Barrymore and Henry Thomas
During her latest outing in Los Angeles earlier this week on Thursday, Wallace was seen walking her dog in a quiet neighborhood
The star kept it casual wearing a long-sleeved, gray sweatshirt as well as a pair of cream-colored sweatpants
She additionally sported a pair of stylish black shades to protect her eyes from the bright California sunshine during the lowkey stroll
Amid the holiday season, Wallace recently celebrated her 76th birthday earlier this month on December 14
The star – who was born in Kansas City in 1948 – first developed an interest in acting after watching her mother who was a stage actress
She additionally sported a pair of stylish black shades to protect her eyes from the bright California sunshine during the lowkey stroll.
Amid the holiday season, Wallace recently celebrated her 76th birthday earlier this month on December 14.
The star – who was born in Kansas City in 1948 – first developed an interest in acting after watching her mother who was a stage actress.
After getting an education degree at the University of Kansas, Dee taught drama at Washington High School in her hometown.
Her career began in the mid-70s when she took on small roles in television shows such as The Streets Of San Francisco, Ellery Queen, Police Woman and Hart To Hart.
In 1975, she starred in the movie The Stepford Wives – which also starred Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss, Peter Masterson and Nanette Newman.
Two years later, Wallace took on a bigger role in the 1977 horror flick The Hills Have Eyes – which was written and directed by Wes Craven.
And in 1981, she continued to appear in movies in the genre, such as The Howling, which notably won the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film.
Her career began in the mid-70s when she took on small roles in television shows such as The Streets Of San Francisco, Ellery Queen, Police Woman and Hart To Hart
And in 1981, she continued to appear in movies in the genre, such as The Howling (seen above), which notably won the Saturn Award for Best Horror Film
The following year, Dee catapulted to fame after taking on the role of Mary Taylor in Spielberg’s beloved film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
The premise is: ‘A troubled child summons the courage to help a friendly alien escape from Earth and return to his home planet,’ per IMDB.
During a past interview with SYFY in 2022, Wallace reflected on starring in the movie and working alongside the star-studded cast and the critically-acclaimed director.
‘I don’t remember it being chaotic at all,’ she expressed. ‘The kids were totally professional … they weren’t Hollywood kids. Most of them were just starting out.’
‘Robert, [who played] the eldest son, had had a lot more experience, especially onstage, and he was just amazing. Henry, had had a couple of films by that time underneath his belt, I think.’
Dee added, ‘And Drew was just, “HI! I’M DREW AND I’M GONNA TAKE OVER THE PLACE!” So whenever they had breaks, if they weren’t in school, they were out playing, shooting hoops, or in Steven’s office, playing with the arcade games he had.’
‘It was very much a family feeling on the whole set and I think that really transfers to the the film.’
Wallace also admitted that initially, she felt her career was finished before the movie had even been released in theaters.
The following year, Dee catapulted to fame after taking on the role of Mary Taylor in Spielberg’s beloved film E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
‘I don’t remember it being chaotic at all,’ she expressed. ‘The kids were totally professional … they weren’t Hollywood kids. Most of them were just starting out’
She explained, ‘I saw it the first time at the studio with a bunch of executives and I came home and I said to my husband, “I think my career’s over. There wasn’t one reaction.”‘
‘He took my hand and he said, “You’re going to come with me, and we’re going to see it at a theater next week when it opens.” We stood in line with everybody else and it was amazing.’
Wallace remembered, ‘People were laughing, they were crying, they were cheering, they were standing up, they were holding each other.’
‘Everybody at Universal didn’t want to react in case their boss didn’t react the same way. I don’t know. But it was magical to see it with that first audience.’
Throughout the course of her career thus far, Dee has a whopping total of 272 acting credits to her name, per the star’s official IMDB page.
Other horror flicks she starred in include Critters (1986), The Frighteners (1996), Halloween (2007), The House Of The Devil (2009) and also The Lords Of Salem (2012).
She has additionally taken on roles in recent television productions such as 9-1-1, The Bay and Fatal Attraction (2023).
Wallace – who became a grandmother last year in August – has 14 projects under her belt. One of the productions includes a series titled The Boroughs from the Duffer Brothers, who notably created the hit Netflix series Stranger Things; seen in 2022 in L.A.
For years, Dee made guest appearances in a number of shows, including The Twilight Zone, The Office, Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, My Name Is Earl, Supernatural and General Hospital.
For her performance as Patricia Spencer in General Hospital, she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Guest Performer in a Drama Series in 2016.
Wallace – who became a grandmother last year in August – has 14 projects under her belt.
One of the productions includes a series titled The Boroughs from the Duffer Brothers, who notably created the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.