Sigourney Weaver

: Sigourney Weaver (born October 8, 1949) is an acclaimed American actress known for her iconic roles as Ellen Ripley in Alien, Dana Barrett in Ghostbusters, and Grace Augustine in Avatar. Discover her biography, awards, philosophy, and memorable quotations.

Introduction

Susan Alexandra “Sigourney” Weaver (born October 8, 1949) is an American actress whose career has spanned theater, television, and film. She is widely celebrated for her portrayals of strong, independent women and is often regarded as one of the pioneering action heroines in cinema—especially through her portrayal of Ellen Ripley in Alien and its sequels.

Over her decades in the industry, Weaver has received critical acclaim and numerous honors: Golden Globes, a BAFTA, Emmy and Tony nominations, and recognition for her versatility across genres and media.

Early Life and Family

Sigourney Weaver was born in New York City on October 8, 1949. Susan Alexandra Weaver.

Her father, Pat Weaver, was a prominent television executive (notably president of NBC at one point) and innovator in television programming. Elizabeth Inglis, was an English actress.

She has an uncle, Doodles Weaver, who was a comedian.

As a child, she adopted the name “Sigourney” around age 12 because she disliked being called “Sue” or “Susie,” and felt she needed a longer, more distinctive name (she took it from a minor character in The Great Gatsby).

In her youth, she faced challenges with her height—she grew tall at an early age, which affected her confidence and how she saw herself physically in relation to peers.

Education & Training

Weaver’s education was rigorous and artistically inclined:

• She attended several private schools, including the Brearley School and Chapin School in New York, and later the Ethel Walker School in Connecticut.

• After high school, she enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College.

• She later transferred to Stanford University, majoring in English and engaging intensively in theater.

• After earning her BA, she pursued graduate study in acting and earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

During her time in theater training, Weaver sometimes struggled to land lead roles and was even told by some instructors she was not suited for dramatic parts. But she persisted, often through friends and alternative theatrical venues (such as Yale Cabaret) to prove herself.

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough & the Alien Franchise

Weaver’s film breakthrough came with Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979), in which she portrayed Ellen Ripley, a warrant officer aboard the Nostromo spaceship.

Her performance transformed Ripley into an iconic character—resourceful, resilient, and emotionally complex. It set a new benchmark for female protagonists in science fiction.

She returned to the role in Aliens (1986), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

She also reprised Ripley in Alien 3 (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997).

Other Major Film Roles

Beyond Alien, Weaver has had a wide-ranging and eclectic film career:

• She played Dana Barrett in Ghostbusters (1984) and its follow-ups.

• In 1988, she starred as Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist, a biographical film—a performance that earned her a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.

• That same year she also acted in Working Girl, a role for which she also received an Oscar nomination, becoming one of the few actors to receive two Academy Award nominations in the same year.

• Other films include The Year of Living Dangerously (1982), The Ice Storm (1997) (for which she won a BAFTA) and Galaxy Quest (1999).

• In more recent years, she has been part of the Avatar franchise (playing Dr. Grace Augustine, and later another role) which has become one of the highest-grossing franchises ever.

• Weaver has also done voice and motion roles—for example in WALL-E (2008) and Finding Dory (2016).

Theater & Television

Weaver has maintained a balanced career across stage and screen:

• On Broadway, her credits include The Constant Wife (1975), Hurlyburly (1984), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (2013), among others.

• Her performance in Hurlyburly earned her a Tony Award nomination.

• On television, she has earned Emmy nominations for roles in Prayers for Bobby (2009), Political Animals (2013), and for narrating Secrets of the Whales (2021).

In 2024–25, she made her West End debut in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, playing Prospero in a gender-swapped production.

Weaver has also co-founded The Flea Theater in New York (along with her husband) in 1996, supporting experimental and off-Broadway productions.

Awards, Recognition & Advocacy

Weaver’s career is decorated:

• She has won Golden Globe Awards, a BAFTA, and a Grammy, along with nominations for Academy Awards, Emmys, and a Tony Award.

• A noteworthy feat: in 1989, she became the first actor to win two Golden Globes in the same year—for Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl.

• Beyond acting, she is active in environmental and conservation causes—particularly regarding gorilla conservation (she supports the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund) and ocean habitat protection (e.g. opposing destructive fishing practices).

Personality and Philosophy

Weaver is often described as intelligent, committed, courageous, and thoughtful. Her choices frequently favor roles that challenge norms and explore complex identities.

She has spoken candidly about self-doubt, the pressures of fame, and her preference for variation in roles (shifting between blockbuster and independent films) to keep her craft fresh.

Her height and early physical development were long-standing personal challenges—she once observed:

“Being tall has a major impact in general. It takes some courage to be as big as you are — to live up to it and not be intimidated…”

She also remarked on her name change:

“I changed my name when I was about twelve… I didn’t like being called Sue or Susie. So what happened? Now everyone calls me Sig or Siggy.”

On acting and genre, she has offered:

“One of the reasons I did this [a sci-fi film], … was that my daughter can see it. She’s 9 and it’s really a good film for all ages.”

“I used to be terribly shy… so I was either shy or over the top, and I always had a difficult time.”

Another notable reflection:

“Women don’t get to do that very often” (referring to exploring strong or unconventional characters).

These quotes reveal an artist with self-awareness, humility, and a vision for pushing boundaries in her medium.

Famous Quotes

Here’s a curated selection of Sigourney Weaver’s more resonant quotes:

• “Being tall has a major impact in general. It takes some courage to be as big as you are — to live up to it and not be intimidated by the graceful tiny people.”

• “I changed my name when I was about twelve… I didn’t like being called Sue or Susie. So what happened? Now everyone calls me Sig or Siggy.”

• “I used to be terribly shy… so I was either shy or over the top, and I always had a difficult time.”

• “I’m no Ripley. I had doubts that I could play her as strongly as she had to be played, but … it was fun exploring that side of myself.”

• From movie dialogue:

  “When I give an order I expect to be obeyed.” — Alien (Ripley’s exchange) “Never burn bridges. Today’s junior prick, tomorrow’s senior partner!” — Working Girl (Katharine Parker)

Lessons from Sigourney Weaver

• Embrace risk and diversity: Weaver’s career shows that alternating between genre blockbusters and smaller dramatic roles helps sustain vitality and avoid typecasting.

• Persist beyond feedback: Early in training she was criticized and passed over, but she persevered through alternative paths and personal conviction.

• Use fame for advocacy: She leverages her platform to champion conservation, environment, and scientific causes.

• Humanize powerful roles: Even as action heroine or celebrity, she brings emotional nuance—balancing strength and vulnerability.

• Name and identity matter: Her early self-renaming and grappling with her stature suggest the importance of self-determination and identity in one’s trajectory.

Conclusion

Sigourney Weaver remains one of the most respected and enduring figures in modern cinema—her impact is felt in science fiction, drama, theater, and beyond. From her groundbreaking portrayal of Ellen Ripley to her thoughtful roles in Gorillas in the Mist, Working Girl, Avatar, and more, she continues to evolve, inspire, and challenge both audiences and the industry. Her life blends artistry, integrity, and commitment to causes she believes in.