Sigourney Weaver

About

Sigourney Weaver, born Susan Alexandra Weaver, is an American actress born on October 8, 1949 in New York City. She's renowned for her role as Ellen Ripley in the "Alien" franchise, a role which earned her Academy Award nominations and solidified her position as a leading lady in the sci-fi genre. She's also known for her performances in films such as "Ghostbusters," "Avatars" and "Gorillas in the Mist", the latter of which earned her Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress. Apart from her acting career, Weaver is also known for her environmental activism, frequently advocating for causes related to climate change and wildlife conservation.

Associated With

Sigourney Weaver, an esteemed actress in the film industry, is best known for her work in the "Alien" franchise, where she collaborated with directors like Ridley Scott and James Cameron. She also had significant associations with other talents like Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd in the "Ghostbusters" movies. Additionally, her work with director Peter Weir in "The Mosquito Coast" and director David Fincher in "Alien 3" is noteworthy. Her long-lasting working relationship with director James Cameron extended to "Avatar" as well. Weaver has been married to theater director Jim Simpson since 1984, showing her ties also extend beyond Hollywood to theater. She has collaborated with many other actors, directors, and professionals in her extensive career, but these associations reflect some of her most significant.

Career Highlights

• 1977: Sigourney Weaver started her acting career with a minor role in the film "Annie Hall".
• 1979: She played the leading role in the movie "Alien" which brought her mainstream recognition.
• 1986: Weaver earned her first Academy Award nomination for "Aliens".
• 1988: Sigourney received two Academy Award nominations for Best Actress for her portrayal of Dian Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist" and Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Working Girl".
• 1992: Weaver starred in "Alien 3", reprising her role as Ripley.
• 1997: Sigourney played the role of the villain in "Snow White: A Tale of Terror", for which she garnered an Emmy Award nomination.
• 1999: She starred as a former sci-fi television series actress in the acclaimed film "Galaxy Quest".
• 2001: Weaver provided the voice of the ship's computer in the sci-fi film "WALL-E".
• 2009: Sigourney starred in James Cameron's "Avatar", which became the highest-grossing film of all time. She was nominated for a Golden Globe.
• 2016: Weaver was nominated for a Tony award for her performance in the Broadway play "The Humans".
• 2019: She reprises her role in the "Alien" franchise for an untitled "Alien" sequel.

Notable Awards

• Sigourney Weaver has indeed won and been nominated for several notable awards over her career. Some of them include:
• Golden Globe Awards - Weaver won two Golden Globes in 1989, one for "Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama" for the film "Gorillas in the Mist: The Adventure of Dian Fossey", and the other for "Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture" for "Working Girl".
• BAFTA Awards - She won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 1987 for her work in "Aliens".
• Theatre World Award - She won this in 1981 for the best debut performance in the play "Beyond Therapy".
• Glamour Woman of the Year Award - She received this in 1992.
• Saturn Awards - She won Best Actress award in 1987 for "Aliens" and in 1998 for "Alien Resurrection".

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Sigourney Weaver Movie/TV Show?

Sigourney Weaver is known for many successful movies and TV shows, but her most popular and iconic role is arguably as Ellen Ripley in the "Alien" franchise. The original "Alien" movie released in 1979, directed by Ridley Scott, was a huge hit and received critical acclaim. It catapulted Weaver into fame, making her a symbol of female empowerment in the film industry. Her performance was so influential that it earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for the sequel, "Aliens" directed by James Cameron in 1986. The "Alien" franchise remains a popular culture phenomenon, solidifying Sigourney Weaver's status as a beloved and respected figure in Hollywood.

How Did Sigourney Weaver Get Famous?

Sigourney Weaver gained her fame primarily through her role in the science fiction film "Alien," directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1979. Her portrayal of Ellen Ripley, a warrant officer who battles a terrifying alien creature aboard a spaceship, garnered critical and audience acclaim, solidifying her status as a leading actress in Hollywood. This breakthrough performance, and the sequels that followed, established Sigourney Weaver as a trailblazer in the action and science fiction genres and paved the way for her successful acting career in film, television, and theater.