---
name: "Henry Thomas"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/henry-thomas"
fi1m_id: "henry-thomas"
imdb_id: "nm0001794"
tmdb_id: 9976
wikidata_id: "Q506198"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "9 September 1971"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-24T07:10:29.566533+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Henry Thomas

## Identity

Henry Thomas

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/henry-thomas
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** henry-thomas
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001794
- **TMDB ID:** 9976
- **Wikidata ID:** Q506198
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Thomas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q506198, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001794/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9976

Actor. Born 9 September 1971 in San Antonio, Texas, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 9 September 1971, San Antonio, Texas, USA
- **Active:** 1982–present
- **Also known as:** Henry Jackson Thomas Jr.
- **Frequently works with:** [Kate Siegel](https://film.one/person/kate-siegel.md), [Mike Flanagan](https://film.one/person/mike-flanagan.md), [Dani Parker](https://film.one/person/dani-parker.md), [Jamie Flanagan](https://film.one/person/jamie-flanagan.md), [Jeff Howard](https://film.one/person/jeff-howard-1224355.md), [Kathy Gilroy](https://film.one/person/kathy-gilroy.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 91 (1), 2000s 74 (1), 2010s 82 (2), 2020s 68 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 76 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Mystery 3, Adventure 1, Comedy 1, Crime 1, Family 1
- **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $991m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Thomas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q506198, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001794/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/9976

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*The Haunting of Hill House*](https://film.one/tv/the-haunting-of-hill-house.md) (80), [*Midnight Mass*](https://film.one/tv/midnight-mass.md) (72), [*The Fall of the House of Usher*](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher.md) (65)
- **Disney+:** [*E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial*](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md) (91)
- **Apple TV:** [*Gangs of New York*](https://film.one/film/gangs-of-new-york.md) (74)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Henry Thomas

> Henry Thomas makes a child’s concern for a strange companion convincing. We rate his Elliott in *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* for its practical affection, and his adult supporting work deserves attention beyond that early role.

In *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), Henry Thomas makes looking after a frightened alien seem like something a child would get on with, rather than an occasion to be wise. His Elliott is concerned with the visitor, and Thomas never asks us to admire the boy for being concerned. We were moved by that practical affection, because he made the unfamiliar creature seem like someone whose welfare mattered. It is a remarkably assured performance without the self-conscious solemnity that can make child acting hard work. Thomas gives Steven Spielberg the conviction the film needs to ask so much of our feelings.

He also has other children to play against, with Drew Barrymore’s Gertie and Robert MacNaughton’s Michael keeping the family funny and its members distinct. Spielberg allows the friendship to develop, and the creature’s convincing gentleness gives Thomas something to respond to. Our reservation is with John Williams’s score, which sometimes insists on feelings the acting has already earned. Thomas does not need that assistance; the affection is there without anyone announcing how touching it ought to be.

From the early 1990s, the work shifted towards adult supporting parts, including Samuel Ludlow in *Legends of the Fall* (1994) and Johnny Sirocco in Martin Scorsese’s *Gangs of New York* (2002). A recurring partnership with writer-director Mike Flanagan began in 2016. It includes *Gerald’s Game* (2017), *The Haunting of Hill House* (2018) and *Doctor Sleep* (2019). The younger Hugh Crain in *The Haunting of Hill House* belongs to a recurring strand of family figures and authority characters in Thomas’s work. Flanagan’s repeated casting gives us a reason to look beyond Elliott, though the childhood performance remains the one we recommend most firmly.

Thomas deserves to be considered as a supporting actor without every appearance becoming a test of whether he can equal Elliott. That early performance sets an unusually demanding standard, but it should encourage curiosity about the adult work rather than close it off. Start with *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* for the acting, and allow the orchestra a little less credit.

## Biography

Henry Thomas is an American actor. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he began his career as a child actor with a role in *Raggedy Man* (1981).

He gained prominence for playing Elliott in Steven Spielberg's *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), winning a Young Artist Award and receiving nominations for a Golden Globe, BAFTA and Saturn Award. His later film roles include Samuel Ludlow in *Legends of the Fall* (1994), Johnny Sirocco in *Gangs of New York* (2002) and appearances in *Dear John* (2010) and *Gerald's Game* (2017).

Thomas has worked frequently with director Mike Flanagan, appearing in the series *The Haunting of Hill House* (2018), *Midnight Mass* (2021) and *The Fall of the House of Usher* (2023), as well as the film *Doctor Sleep* (2019).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, oscars.org.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *The Fall of the House of Usher* (2023), Fi1m 65, as Frederick Usher — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher.md)
- *Midnight Mass* (2021), Fi1m 72, as Ed Flynn — [page](https://film.one/tv/midnight-mass.md)
- *The Haunting of Hill House* (2018), Fi1m 80, as Young Hugh Crain — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-haunting-of-hill-house.md)
- *Better Things* (2016), Fi1m 84, as Robin — [page](https://film.one/tv/better-things-2016.md)
- *Gangs of New York* (2002), Fi1m 74, as Johnny Sirocco — [page](https://film.one/film/gangs-of-new-york.md)
- *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), Fi1m 91, as Elliott — [page](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md)

## Complete filmography (83)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Due West* (2026), as Pastor Mike · Executive Producer
- *High Ground* (2025), as Nathaniel Matheson
- *The Curse of the Necklace* (2024), as Frank Davis
- *The Fall of the House of Usher* (2023), series, as Frederick Usher — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fall-of-the-house-of-usher.md)
- *Pet Sematary: Bloodlines* (2023), as Dan Crandall
- *Sam & Kate* (2022), as Ron
- *The Midnight Club* (2022), series, as Freedom Jack
- *Crawlspace* (2022), as Robert
- *Just Beyond* (2021), series, as Crazy Chris
- *Midnight Mass* (2021), series, as Ed Flynn — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/midnight-mass.md)
- *To All the Boys: Always and Forever* (2021), as Mr. Kavinsky
- *The Haunting of Bly Manor* (2020), series, as Henry Wingrave
- *Dreamkatcher* (2020), as Luke
- *DC's Stargirl* (2020), series, as Chuck (voice), Charles McNider / Dr. Mid-Nite
- *FBI: Most Wanted* (2020), series, as Dr. Justin Brock
- *E.T.: A Holiday Reunion* (2019), as Elliott
- *Doctor Sleep* (2019), as The Bartender
- *The Great Alaskan Race* (2019), as Thompson
- *The Haunting of Hill House* (2018), series, as Young Hugh Crain — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-haunting-of-hill-house.md)
- *Girl in the Bunker* (2018), as Vinson Filyaw
- *Gerald's Game* (2017), as Tom
- *Ouija: Origin of Evil* (2016), as Father Tom
- *Better Things* (2016), series, as Robin — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-things-2016.md)
- *Sons of Liberty* (2015), series, as John Adams
- *Big Sur* (2013), as Philip Whalen
- *Betrayal* (2013), series, as T.J. Karsten
- *The Last Ride* (2012), as Hank Williams / "Mr. Wells" / Luke
- *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage)
- *The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy* (2011), as John St. Helens
- *Dear John* (2010), as Tim Wheddon
- *Don't Look Up* (2009), as Josh Petri
- *Red Velvet* (2009), as Aaron
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Tommy Lisbon — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Suffering Man's Charity* (2007), as Eric Rykell
- *The Last Sin Eater* (2007), as Man of God
- *Chocolate* (2006), as Jamie
- *The Deal: El trato* (2006), as Frank
- *The Hard Easy* (2006), as Paul Weston
- *Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King* (2006), series, as Robert Fornoy
- *Desperation* (2006), as Peter Jackson
- *Tennis Anyone?* (2006), as Matt Erhorn
- *Masters of Horror* (2005), series, as Jamie
- *Dead Birds* (2005), as William
- *11:14* (2004), as Jack
- *Honey Baby* (2004), as Tom Brackett
- *I Capture the Castle* (2003), as Simon Cotton
- *Plain Dirty* (2003), as Edgar Macbeth
- *Gangs of New York* (2002), as Johnny Sirocco — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/gangs-of-new-york.md)
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Franklin Romar
- *I'm with Lucy* (2002), as Date 4 - Barry
- *Dead in the Water* (2002), as Jeff
- *The Quickie* (2001), as Alex
- *All the Pretty Horses* (2000), as Rawlins
- *A Good Baby* (2000), as Raymond Toker
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Jeremy Kent
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Sean Roberts
- *Happy Face Murders* (1999), as Dylan McCarthy
- *Fever* (1999), as Nick Parker
- *Niagara, Niagara* (1998), as Seth
- *Moby Dick* (1998), series, as Ishmael
- *Bombshell* (1997), as Buck
- *Suicide Kings* (1997), as Avery Chasten
- *Hijacking Hollywood* (1997), as Kevin
- *Riders of the Purple Sage* (1996), as Bern Venters
- *Indictment: The McMartin Trial* (1995), as Ray Buckey
- *Legends of the Fall* (1994), as Samuel Ludlow
- *Curse of the Starving Class* (1994), as Wesley Tate
- *Beyond Obsession* (1994), as John Thompson
- *Fire in the Sky* (1993), as Greg Hayes
- *A Taste for Killing* (1992), as Cary Sloan
- *Psycho IV: The Beginning* (1990), as Young Norman Bates
- *Valmont* (1989), as Danceny
- *Murder One* (1988), as Billy Isaacs
- *Frog Dreaming* (1986), as Cody
- *Cloak & Dagger* (1984), as Davey Osborne
- *Misunderstood* (1983), as Andrew
- *E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial* (1982), as Elliott — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial.md)
- *The Steeler and the Pittsburgh Kid* (1981), as Nick
- *Raggedy Man* (1981), as Harry
- *Normal with a Capital N*, as Milo Whynot
- *Generation Angst*, as Tim Grinnell
- *The Asylum*, as Axel
- *Three People in the Woods*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Henry Thomas](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-d06d7bed8183.jpg) Henry Thomas — Joe Peacock, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Henry_Thomas_at_Rose_City_Comic_Con_02_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Henry_Thomas_at_Rose_City_Comic_Con_02_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-4892686ed876.jpg) Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Henry_Thomas_%2853256408879%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-6701643d8f74.jpg) Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a6/Henry_Thomas_%2853258275899%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-40a65d61c808.jpg) Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 — John Manard for Super Festivals/GalaxyCon from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/31/Henry_Thomas_%2853336277383%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Henry Thomas](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-a5e1095bd2e6.jpg) Henry Thomas — Image via TMDB
- ![Henry Thomas at Animate x Nightmare Weekend Des Moines in 2024](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-625ea9ee21c7.jpg) Henry Thomas at Animate x Nightmare Weekend Des Moines in 2024 — Super Festivals, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Henry_Thomas_Photo_Op_Animate_Nightmare_Weekend_Des_Moines_2024.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023](https://film.one/media/person/59860/gallery-4efe2256e108.jpg) Henry Thomas at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/44/Henry_Thomas_Photo_Op_Nightmare_Weekend_Richmond_2023.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/henry-thomas