Born and educated in New York City on October 8, 1949, Sigourney Weaver emerged as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with her remarkable versatility and talent. Her parents, Sylvester L. Weaver Jr., and Elizabeth Inglis, were both notable figures in their own right, with her father serving as a television executive and her mother as an actress. Weaver's illustrious career spans over five decades, during which she has portrayed iconic characters such as Ripley in the Alien) franchise and Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist. Her contributions to both stage and screen have solidified her status as one of the most revered actresses in Hollywood.
Early Life and Career
Born and educated in New York City on October 8, 1949, Sigourney Weaver emerged as a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with her remarkable versatility and talent. Her parents, Sylvester L. Weaver Jr., a television executive, and Elizabeth Inglis, an actress, provided a rich artistic environment for her upbringing. Weaver attended Stanford University, where she initially pursued a degree in English literature before transferring to Yale University's prestigious school of drama, where she earned her master's degree.
Weaver's journey to stardom began with humble roots in the theater world. Her first professional role came in Sir John Gielgud's production of "The Constant Wife," where she worked alongside the legendary Ingrid Bergman. A pivotal moment in her career arrived with her film debut in Ridley Scott's 1979 blockbuster "Alien," where she portrayed the iconic role of Warrant Officer Ripley. The film's critical and commercial success propelled Weaver into the spotlight, earning her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress.
Throughout her illustrious career, Weaver has continued to deliver standout performances across a wide range of genres. Her portrayal of primatologist Dian Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist" earned her critical acclaim and nominations for both Academy and Golden Globe Awards. Weaver solidified her status as a Hollywood icon with her recurring role as Ripley in the "Alien" franchise, cementing her place in cinematic history.
In addition to her acting prowess, Weaver has also made significant contributions to the theater world. She received a Tony Award nomination for her starring role in "Hurlyburly" on Broadway and has originated roles in several off-Broadway productions.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Weaver has been actively involved in philanthropic work, serving as the Honorary Chair of the Dian Fossey Gorilla fund for over three decades. She has also been recognized for her environmental advocacy, receiving the National Audubon Society's Rachel Carson Award for her dedication to conservation efforts.
Weaver's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry is undeniable. She has paved the way for women in film with her strong, multifaceted portrayals of complex characters. Her ability to seamlessly transition between stage and screen has solidified her status as a revered actress and cultural icon. As she continues to captivate audiences with her talent and versatility, Sigourney Weaver remains a true legend of the silver screen.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role |
---|---|---|
2023 | The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (TV Mini Series) | June Hart |
2022 | Avatar: The Way of Water | Kiri |
2022 | Master Gardener | Norma Haverhill |
2022 | Call Jane | Virginia |
2021 | Ghostbusters: Afterlife | Dana Barrett |
2021 | The Good House | Hildy Good |
2021 | Secrets of the Whales (TV Mini Series) | Narrator |
2021 | Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Video) | Masha |
2020 | Call My Agent! (TV Series) | Sigourney Weaver |
2020 | My Salinger Year | Margaret |
2019 | The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (TV Series) | The Myth-Speaker (voice) |
2019 | Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TV Series) | Ripley |
2017 | Dian Fossey: Secrets in the Mist (TV Mini Series) | Dian Fossey (voice) |
2015–2017 | Doc Martin (TV Series) | American Tourist | Beth Traywick |
2017 | The Defenders (TV Mini Series) | Alexandra Reid |
2015–2017 | Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero (TV Series) | Lady Starblaster (voice) |
2017 | Oats Studios (TV Mini Series) | Jasper |
2017 | Rakka (Short) | Jasper |
2017 | The Meyerowitz Stories | Sigourney Weaver |
2017 | The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (TV Series) | Ripley |
2016 | The Assignment | Doctor Rachel Jane |
2016 | A Monster Calls | Grandma |
2016 | Ghostbusters | Rebecca Gorin |
2016 | Finding Dory | Sigourney Weaver (voice) |
2015 | Chappie | Michelle Bradley |
2014 | Exodus: Gods and Kings | Tuya |
2014 | All You Need Is Love | Narrator (voice) |
2014 | Alien: Isolation (Video Game) | Ellen Ripley (voice) |
2014 | Simple Plan: Prayers for Bobby Tribute (Short) | Mary Griffith |
2012 | Vamps | Cisserus |
2012 | Political Animals (TV Mini Series) | Elaine Barrish |
2012 | The Cold Light of Day | Carrack |
2012 | Red Lights | Margaret Matheson |
2011 | Spring/Fall (TV Movie) | Unknown |
2011 | The Cabin in the Woods | The Director |
2011 | Rampart | Joan Confrey |
2011 | Abduction | Dr. Bennett |
2011 | Paul | The Big Guy |
2011 | Cedar Rapids | Macy Vanderhei |
2010 | Aliens: Deleted and Extended Scenes (Video) | Ripley |
2010 | You Again | Ramona |
2010 | Crazy on the Outside | Viki |
2009 | Avatar | Dr. Grace Augustine |
2009 | Avatar: The Game (Video Game) | Dr. Grace Augustine (voice) |
2009 | Acid Test: The Global Challenge of Ocean Acidification (Short) | Narrator (voice) |
2009 | Prayers for Bobby (TV Movie) | Mary Griffith |
2008 | The Tale of Despereaux | Narrator (voice) |
2008 | Eli Stone (TV Series) | Therapist |
2008 | WALL·E | Ship's Computer (voice) |
2008 | Baby Mama | Chaffee Bicknell |
2008 | Vantage Point | Rex Brooks |
2008 | Be Kind Rewind | Ms. Lawson |
2007 | The Girl in the Park | Julia |
2006 | Happily N'Ever After | Frieda (voice) |
2006 | Planet Earth (TV Mini Series) | Narrator - US Version (voice) |
2006 | Infamous | Babe Paley |
2006 | The TV Set | Lenny |
2006 | Snow Cake | Linda Freeman |
2005 | CNN Presents (TV Series) | Narrator |
2004 | Imaginary Heroes | Sandy Travis |
2004 | The Village | Alice Hunt |
2003 | Nova (TV Series) | Narrator |
2003 | Holes | The Warden |
2002 | The Guys | Joan |
2002 | Futurama (TV Series) | Planet Express Ship (voice) |
2002 | Tadpole | Eve Grubman |
2001 | Big Bad Love | Betti DeLoreo (voice) |
2001 | Heartbreakers | Angela Nardino | Max Conners | Ulga Yevanova |
2000 | Company Man | Daisy Quimp |
1999 | Galaxy Quest | Gwen DeMarco |
1999 | A Map of the World | Alice Goodwin |
1999 | Alien: Deleted Scenes (Video) | Ripley |
1997 | Alien Resurrection | Ripley |
1997 | The Ice Storm | Janey Carver |
1997 | Snow White: A Tale of Terror | Claudia Hoffman |
1995 | Copycat | Helen Hudson |
1995 | Jeffrey | Debra Moorhouse |
1994 | The Wild Swans (Video) | Narrator (voice) |
1994 | Death and the Maiden | Paulina Escobar |
1993 | Rabbit Ears: Peachboy (Video) | Narrator (voice) |
1993 | Dave | Ellen Mitchell |
1992 | The Snow Queen (Video) | Narrator (voice) |
1992 | 1492: Conquest of Paradise | Queen Isabel |
1992 | Alien³ | Ellen Ripley |
1989 | Ghostbusters II | Dana Barrett |
1988 | Working Girl | Katharine Parker |
1988 | Gorillas in the Mist | Dian Fossey |
1986 | Half Moon Street | Lauren Slaughter |
1986 | Aliens | Ripley |
1985 | One Woman or Two | Jessica Fitzgerald |
1984 | Ghostbusters | Dana Barrett |
1983 | Deal of the Century | Catherine DeVoto |
1982 | The Year of Living Dangerously | Jill Bryant |
1981 | Eyewitness | Tony Sokolow |
1979 | 3 by Cheever (TV Mini Series) | Marcia Lawton |
1979 | Alien | Ripley |
1978 | Pepsi: Have a Pepsi Day (Video) | Pepsi Model |
1978 | Madman | Gale |
1977 | The Best of Families (TV Mini Series) | Laura Wheeler |
1977 | Annie Hall | Alvy's Date Outside Theatre |
1970 | Somerset (TV Series) | Avis Ryan (1976) |
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