Aliens Cast Then and Now: How the Iconic Stars Look Today

Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic “Alien” established a tense, horror-driven vision of the future, so the direction James Cameron took with “Aliens” came as a surprise. Released in 1986, the sequel traded much of the original’s creeping dread for military firepower, larger set pieces, and escalating danger. It may feel entirely different from Scott’s film, but that bold shift helped make “Aliens” one of the most celebrated entries in the Alien franchise.

The sequel carries James Cameron’s unmistakable fingerprints: a memorable ensemble, a high-risk mission, rapidly rising stakes, and action that keeps intensifying. At the center is Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, who transforms from the traumatized survivor of the Nostromo into a fearless fighter capable of standing alongside—and sometimes outshining—the Colonial Marines. Decades later, the characters remain iconic, but what has happened to the “Aliens” cast since the movie’s release? Here’s a look at where they are now.

Ellen Ripley receives some of her defining moments in “Aliens,” and Sigourney Weaver proves she can take the character in an entirely new direction. Building on her acclaimed work in “Alien,” Weaver gives Ripley a fierce resilience that culminates in her unforgettable battle against the xenomorph queen while operating a power-loader exoskeleton. The performance earned Weaver an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, cementing Ripley as one of science fiction’s greatest action heroes.

“Alien” made Sigourney Weaver a major star, but “Aliens” demonstrated that she could command an action blockbuster just as convincingly. The two films remain among the highlights of her remarkable career, which has included work in comedy, drama, science fiction, and biographical films. She appeared in the beloved “Ghostbusters,” earned acclaim for portraying Dian Fossey in “Gorillas in the Mist,” and became a three-time Oscar nominee. Weaver has also continued to take on major roles, including her work in James Cameron’s “Avatar” series.

Corporal Dwayne Hicks stands out among the Colonial Marines for his calm, approachable manner and practical judgment. When the officers above him are killed, injured, or otherwise removed from the action, Hicks naturally becomes the group’s most reliable leader. His steady presence also makes him one of the film’s most compelling human characters.

Michael Biehn brings Hicks to life with the understated intensity that became a signature of his career. Rather than portraying an invincible 1980s tough guy, Biehn often played capable men forced to navigate situations far beyond their control. He became one of the most recognizable actors in James Cameron’s filmography, first playing time-traveling soldier Kyle Reese in 1984’s “The Terminator” and later appearing as the unstable Lieutenant Coffey in 1989’s “The Abyss.”

Biehn has remained active since beginning his career in the late 1970s. His other notable credits include the classic Western “Tombstone” from 1993 and Michael Bay’s 1996 action thriller “The Rock.” More recently, he appeared in the 2026 action film “Onslaught,” adding another entry to a résumé filled with memorable genre performances.

Carter Burke may not be a xenomorph, but he is arguably the most repulsive figure in “Aliens.” While the creatures are acting on instinct, Burke knowingly places human lives at risk in pursuit of corporate profit. As a Weyland-Yutani executive, he views the aliens as valuable biological specimens and is willing to manipulate the Marines, Ripley, and anyone else who stands between him and a lucrative discovery.

Paul Reiser could easily have been trapped playing slick villains after his performance as Burke. Instead, he drew heavily on his background in comedy and became best known for a very different kind of role. His biggest television success came with NBC’s “Mad About You,” the Emmy-winning sitcom in which he played Paul Buchman opposite Helen Hunt’s Jamie Buchman.

Reiser has continued to move comfortably between comedy, drama, and darker genre projects. His later work includes Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method,” the hit sci-fi horror series “Stranger Things,” Damien Chazelle’s acclaimed “Whiplash,” and Prime Video’s irreverent superhero series “The Boys.” Those roles have allowed him to remain highly recognizable without being defined solely by Carter Burke.

Bishop is “Aliens’” synthetic crew member, introduced in the aftermath of the betrayal by Ash, the android played by Ian Holm in the original film. Given Ripley’s understandable distrust of artificial beings, Bishop has plenty to prove. Unlike Ash, however, he becomes a loyal and resourceful ally whose actions are crucial to the survivors’ escape.

Lance Henriksen’s casting as Bishop carries an intriguing connection to “The Terminator.” Before Arnold Schwarzenegger secured the role of the T-800, Henriksen was reportedly considered for the part. In “Aliens,” he demonstrated how effectively he could portray a mechanical character, giving Bishop a thoughtful and reassuring presence that stands in sharp contrast to Cameron’s killer cyborg.

Henriksen later became a significant figure in the wider Alien universe, playing multiple androids and other characters connected to Weyland-Yutani. With more than 260 acting credits reported by 2025, the prolific performer has worked across movies, television, and video games. He also led “Millennium,” the dark supernatural series created by “The X-Files” creator Chris Carter, portraying investigator Frank Black from 1996 through 1999.

Child characters can sometimes feel forced into action movies simply to heighten the audience’s emotional investment, but “Aliens” handles the idea with unusual restraint. Newt is not a polished or overly sentimental addition to the story. She is a frightened young survivor from the Hadley’s Hope colony who has been hiding from the xenomorphs, and Ripley quickly becomes determined to protect her and get her out alive.

Carrie Henn gives Newt a remarkably restrained performance, conveying the guarded behavior of a child who has witnessed unimaginable horror. Although her work in “Aliens” was widely praised, Henn chose not to continue acting professionally. The film remains her only screen role, a decision she later discussed in an interview with the “AVPGalaxy” podcast.

Henn said she wanted the chance to grow up normally after spending much of her early childhood in England. Returning to the United States—and especially California—was a major adjustment, made more difficult by the attention surrounding her movie role and her different accent. Rather than pursue another acting opportunity, she chose to focus on her education and eventually became a teacher.