Pat Bilon

Michael Patrick "Pat" Bilon (August 29, 1947 – January 27, 1983) was an American actor best known for his performances in Under the Rainbow and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. At no taller than two feet and 10 inches, Bilon was considered one of the smallest adult dwarfs in the country, but he never characterized himself as disabled. Throughout much of his adult life, he was an active member of Little People of America.^[1] During his last years, Bilon served as District 5 director of the organization.^[2]

Early years

Bilon was born in the mid-sized industrial town of Youngstown, Ohio. He was a third-generation Ukrainian American and was active in St. Anne's Ukrainian Catholic Church in nearby Austintown, Ohio.^[1] Bilon attended Ursuline High School in Youngstown. Bilon studied acting formally and appeared in various television commercials and was hired for promotional events. He often described himself as a "starving actor".^[1] Dedicated to acting, he was no less passionate about his ethnic heritage, and once hosted a Ukrainian Radio Hour on WKTL-FM, based in nearby Struthers, Ohio.^[1]

Film career

In 1979, while attending a Little People of America convention, Bilon was spotted by producer Steve Rash and director Fred Bauer, who were seeking potential cast members for the slapstick comedy, Under the Rainbow.^[3] Of the more than 400 potential actors interviewed, Bilon was among 150 selected to appear in the film.^[3] Bilon, who was working as a radio dispatcher for the Mahoning County Sheriff's Department in Youngstown, took a leave of absence and went to Hollywood to "begin his new role".^[3] The small role gave Bilon an opportunity to perform with top professionals including Chevy Chase, Carrie Fisher, and Eve Arden. He later commented in a newspaper interview, "When a star like Chevy Chase sees you after a scene and says it was hilarious, as you watch him practically falling out of his seat, it makes you feel real good".^[3]

Bilon's next major opportunity to participate in a film came in 1981, when he was selected to operate one of the mechanical "creatures" used in the filming of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.^[4] Four mechanical E.T.s were created for the production. The puppets (constructed of fiberglass, polyurethane, and foam rubber) were designed for different functions. As a contemporary newspaper article reported: "One of the 'bodies' contained mechanical controls for large body movements and was operated by cables, the second had electronic controls and the third was operated by a combination of controls".^[4] Bilon "moved" a fourth E.T. that was needed for scenes in which the creature "lurched" across the floor.^[4] During five months of filming, the actor was burdened by a 40-pound rubber costume that weighed nearly as much as he did.^[4]

Illness and death

Bilon died suddenly on January 27, 1983, of complications from a bout of pneumonia. Shortly after his death, Fred Skidmore, a spokesman for Universal Studios, confirmed that Bilon played the alien in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial throughout most of the film. "Pat did do the majority of the movie", Skidmore said. "He was also E.T. when E.T. appeared at the Hollywood Bowl last summer". The spokesman added: "Anybody that was ever around Pat Bilon for more than 10 minutes was a friend. He was one of our favorite people around here".^[2] Steven Spielberg, producer-director of the film, also commented on Bilon's death. "Pat Bilon was more than just E.T.'s biggest helper", he said. "He was a good friend and we will miss him with all our hearts".^[5]

References