Raggedy Man is a 1981 American drama film based on William D. Wittliff and Sara Clark's 1979 novel, and directed by Jack Fisk. It follows a divorced mother and telephone switchboard operator living with her two sons in a small town during World War II. The film was Spacek’s first film after her Academy Award-winning performance in Coal Miner’s Daughter, and was also her first film to be directed by her husband. For this role, Spacek received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. This was the directorial debut for Fisk, and the film debut for Henry Thomas, who next starred in his breakout role of Elliott Taylor for the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).

Elliott Taylor is a fictional character from Steven Spielberg's 1982 science fiction film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Created by Spielberg and the film's screenwriter Melissa Mathison, and portrayed by then 10-year-old Henry Thomas, Elliott serves as the main human protagonist who, along with his friends and family, helps find a way to help the titular extraterrestrial return home. The character is considered to be Thomas' breakthrough role and his most famous, earning him widespread acclaim from critics and the public. The character has also appeared in all of its other media, including books and video games, as well as a short film sequel in which Thomas reprised his role.