Fan mail address
Cary Guffey
2036 Eagle Park Ln
Birmingham, AL 35242-6955
USA
Address information
(Home Address)
2036 Eagle Park Ln
Birmingham, AL 35242-6955
USA
Cary Guffey is a former child actor best known for his role in Steven Spielberg’s classic sci-fi film Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Born on May 10, 1972, in Douglasville, Georgia, Guffey’s rise to fame came early, at just five years old, when he was cast as Barry Guiler, the young boy whose encounter with extraterrestrials forms one of the most memorable and poignant moments in the film. His natural, wide-eyed performance and innocent portrayal were widely praised, especially given that it was his debut role and he had no prior acting experience.
In Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Guffey plays a pivotal role in scenes involving the alien encounter at his family’s rural home, creating a lasting impression on audiences and film critics alike. His authentic reactions to the alien presence were reportedly so convincing that Spielberg referred to him as “One-Take Cary” because of his ability to nail complex scenes with minimal direction. Spielberg used clever techniques to elicit genuine responses from Guffey, often treating the scenes as a game or surprise to capture his pure, unscripted reactions. The film was a major success and turned Guffey into a beloved child star almost overnight.
Following his success in Close Encounters, Guffey continued to act in films and television throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. He appeared in The Sheriff and the Satellite Kid (1979) and Everything Happens to Me (1980), where he starred alongside Italian actor Bud Spencer in a series of popular Italian comedies. His work with Spencer endeared him to European audiences, and the films were well-received in Italy and other parts of Europe. Guffey also made appearances in American television series like The Merv Griffin Show, where he discussed his experiences working in film at such a young age.
