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.
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."
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).
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.