Newt from Aliens: Carrie Henns Life Today

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

The sci-fi sequel followed Ellen Ripley () as the sole survivor of an 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  Lakenheath - was transferred back to America. 

'I contemplated pursuing acting because we were living in , 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.'