What happened to Newt from Aliens? Child star Carrie Henn's life out of the spotlight as sci-fi classic turns 40

It's been 40 years since the release of James Cameron's Aliens, widely considered to be one of the best films of the Eighties. 

The sci-fi sequel followed Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) as the sole survivor of an alien attack on her ship who teams up with a unit of Colonial Marines to return to the moon where they encountered the extraterrestrials. 

Yet the standout character of the film was Rebecca 'Newt' Jorden, a young girl who managed to survive living in alien territory while everyone she knew was hunted down and killed around her.  

The role was perfectly played by nine-year-old Carrie Henn, who became famed for her great scream.

Carrie had never planned on becoming an actress and only auditioned after a casting director visited her school and suggested she should.

So while she had a great time on set and has no regrets about taking part, Carrie decided not to pursue any more acting roles after Alien, returning to school and training to become a teacher.  

Carrie studied liberal studies at California State University where she met her husband Nathan Kutcher, and the couple share a daughter. 

They live in Atwater, California where Carrie works as an elementary school teacher.

Yet Carrie travels the State to attend fan conventions and sci fi expos, describing herself on Instagram as 'Wife, mother, educator and child-Actress. (Newt – Aliens).'

Carrie, who won a Saturn Award and Young Artist Award for her performance in Aliens, has previously explained that many people are shocked she didn't continue acting. 

She then told Tulsa World in 2016: 'That’s what a lot of people have a hard time understanding. They don’t understand that [acting] wasn’t my passion. It wasn’t my dream. 

'Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it an amazing experience? Absolutely. Would I do it again? Of course. But it wasn’t my passion. Teaching was.'

She added to AVPGalaxy: 'Shortly after Aliens finished filming, my dad - who was in the Air Force and stationed at RAF Lakenheath - was transferred back to America. 

'I contemplated pursuing acting because we were living in California, but I ultimately wanted to be a normal child. 

'I'd lived in England since I was about two years old. My mum is from England, and even though we were an Air Force family, we didn't just stay on the military base like some Americans do.'

Carrie explained that she experienced a big 'culture shock' upon her return to the States, sharing: 'It was difficult at first because I was obviously different; not only had I been in a major movie, but I also had an English accent. 

'I just pushed forward with my normal life and eventually got my education to become a teacher.'

Nowadays she embraces her film past but is glad that it doesn't crop up on a 'daily basis. 

She explained: 'Every once in a while, a student will quietly come up to me and say, "My dad went to school with you and was always too embarrassed to ask for your autograph. Could you sign his DVD for his birthday?" 

'But mostly, it's just a cool, hidden part of my life that my husband and kids get to experience with me at conventions.'

While she hadn't planned to return to the Alien franchise, the opportunity was taken away from her anyway when her character was killed off in Alien 3. 

Carrie revealed that Sigourney rang her to give a heads up after seeing the script so that she wouldn't be blindsided, and inviter her to attend the premiere.  

Reflecting on their relationship, Carrie said: 'We didn't hang out off set, but Sigourney is just a very down-to-earth person, and our connection was naturally effortless.

'Years later, we were doing a photoshoot for Entertainment Weekly. We hadn't seen each other in several years. I walked in from one side of the room, she walked in from the other, and it was as if no time had passed. 

'It's like seeing that old friend where you just pick up right where you left off.' 

Alien has gone on to become one of Sci-Fi's biggest film franchises, spawning several sequels and a number of spin-offs most notably the Alien vs. Predator series.