Remember Mac and Me, the 1988 sci-fi comedy that divided audiences with its uncanny resemblance to E.T.? While the film itself may remain a pop-culture curiosity, the story of its young star, Jade Calegory, deserves a second look. This is not just a tale of Hollywood’s fleeting fame, but a testament to resilience, reinvention, and finding artistic expression beyond the silver screen.
Background Info:
Born and raised in Dana Point, Ca, Jade was born with spina bifida, a condition that confined him to a wheelchair.
Despite his disability, Jade has achieved a lot at a young age – he acted on the soap opera General Hospital, trains for 10km races in his wheelchair, and is a national spokesman for the Easter Seals Friends Who Care campaign.
He mentioned in the past that at a young age he stopped feeling spity about his condition and when he was 8, he said he was glad he had the disability instead of someone else because he could handle it better.
Mac and Me
“Mac and Me,” released in 1988, was a unique combination of science fiction and family-friendly storytelling. The film centered around a young boy named Eric Cruise, played by Jade Calegory, who befriends an alien creature named Mac.
The plot, if you can call it that, mirrored E.T.’s beats with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Lost alien gets separated from family, befriends a wheelchair-bound kid, escapes government agents, and eventually reunites with his kin.
But somehow, in its sheer awfulness, Mac and Me developed a cult following. The cheesy special effects, the nonsensical dialogue, the bizarre product placement – it all became part of the film’s charm. It’s a movie that’s so bad, it’s good, like a cinematic train wreck you can’t look away from.
After “Mac and Me,” Jade Calegory took on a few more acting roles, including “Alien Nation” (1989) and “Kids Incorporated” (1988), but he eventually retired from acting shortly after these projects.
What is Jade Calegory Doing Now?
Today, Jade Calegory resides in Chandler, Arizona and has embarked on an exciting and creative journey behind the camera lens. With nearly two decades of experience in portrait and creative photography, Jade has mastered the art of capturing unique personalities and storytelling through his photography and videography.
He recently received his FAA Part107 license as a drone pilot, allowing him to provide a fresh perspective to any project. Jade’s portfolio also includes expertise in boudoir photography and videography. He finds the most rewarding aspect of his work in collaborating with remarkable individuals and translating their ideas and visions into stunning visuals.
Despite having spina bifida, Jade Caligorius has pursued acting, photogarphy, and advocacy work without letting his disability hold him back, serving as an inspiration that disabilities need not limit one’s aspirations.
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