When Kevin (Henry Thomas) is "rehearsing" his Oscar acceptance speech in the end, he thanks Steven Spielberg, Milos Forman, Mick Jackson, and J. Michael McClary - all directors Thomas had previously worked with.
During one scene in Russell's office, Kevin, played by Henry Thomas, picks up an E.T. puppet. Henry Thomas starred in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).
Original title for the film was "P.A. In L.A." but the director changed it because he felt not everyone would understand what a "P.A." (a Production Assistant) was and might pronounce the title "PAHH In LAHH."
Kevin works on a film called "Moby Dick 2", supposedly a sequel to the film that starred Gregory Peck as Ahab. Henry Thomas appeared in Moby Dick (1998), which also featured Peck in a supporting role, which also turned out to be his last.