Movies

Remember Little Newt from Aliens? See Carrie Henn Now at 46

Remember Little Newt from Aliens? See Carrie Henn Now at 46
Image credit: Legion-Media

Aliens broke new ground in movie-making when it was released in 1986 and helped further endorse the career of Sigourney Weaver.

But it was also notable for the portrayal of Newt – the lone surviving child – played by Carrie Henn.

Prior to landing the role of Newt, Carrie Henn had no acting experience – making her stunning portrayal even more impressive. But what became of the child star who shot to prominence aged just 12?

She became a teacher.

While some kids who hit the big time at a young age get drawn into the glitz and glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle (Lindsay Lohan, I'm looking at you) and end up going dramatically off the rails (still looking, Lindsay), Carrie Henn returned to finish high school.

After graduating in 1994, she went on to study liberal arts at California State University before settling down as an elementary school teacher and marrying her childhood sweetheart.

Not that she has completely turned her back on her Aliens past. In fact, she still keeps in touch with her co-star and now Hollywood legend, Sigourney Weaver who she describes as one of the "loveliest, kindest people" she has ever met.

And she still does interviews and attends sci-fi conventions from time to time.

In an interview with Red Carpet News, Henn, now 46, was asked why she thought Aliens still remains so popular. She responded by describing the movie as "timeless".

She also described how being on set felt so "normal" and said she wasn't "scared" or upset by any of the content that was aimed at an audience that was much older than she was at the time.

And she praised James Cameron and others on set for taking care of her and making it an experience she could enjoy.

Indeed, she said she couldn't be afraid of the aliens chasing her around while filming as 2-minutes before recording, she'd be stood by the set with other cast members who had the head of the costume off and were just her friends.

At other times, she was running alongside actors training to be marines – only while they were carrying guns, she had a Cabbage Patch Kid under her arm.

Despite not really continuing with her acting career and instead choosing a much more 'normal' life, Henn retains a very natural on-screen presence and is very happy to chat about her time on Aliens and says she still gets excited every time she sees her former co-stars appearing in any movie.