After being introduced to Dee Wallace on Saturday night at the Ribbon of Hope Celebration, my first words to her were: "Gosh you look good! Is this 1982 or what?"

This is the woman who played Elliot's divorced mom in "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" 25 years ago and yet, she looks remarkably the same.

I wasn't trying to suck up but was just so astonished and wanted to know her secret.

"I just live really well ... I don't smoke, I drink a little and I love a lot! (laughs) That's my secret."

The 57-year-old actress has had roles in many films since "E.T.," including this year's "Halloween." She will appear in the Christmas episode of CBS' "The Ghost Whisperer" and in a recurring role on "My Name is Earl."

Since Dee looks so youthful, I wondered if people still come up to her and say, "It's the mom from "E.T.!"

"Every day of my life," she said. "It feels pretty good. As long as I can move on in my career and still remain E.T.'s mom, I'm really happy. Going back and going forward at the same time is a good thing."