ACTOR · BORN 1949
Sigourney Weaver
- Born
- 8 October 1949, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
- Known for
- Alien (1979), Avatar (2009), WALL·E (2008), Aliens (1986)
203 archived facts 7 topics 1 source Last reviewed Nov 2026
Sigourney Weaver (born 8 October 1949) is an actor best known for Alien, Avatar and WALL·E.
Sigourney Weaver over the years
203 Interesting Facts About Sigourney Weaver
Interesting Facts (37)
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She has worked with three Bagginses: in Alien (1979), with Ian Holm, who played Frodo in the BBC radio adaptation and Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003); in The Ice Storm (1997), with Elijah Wood, Frodo in the films; and in Aliens (1986), with Kiran Shah, Newt's stunt double, who was also Wood's scale double.
Sigourney Weaver: a sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 - #002
Many of her characters have had to deal with artificially intelligent spaceships: she fights them in the Alien films, in Galaxy Quest (1999) her character, to her annoyance, has to repeat whatever the ship says, and she got to voice a spaceship herself in an episode of Futurama (1999) and in WALL·E (2008).
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Singer-songwriter Mike Garrigan wrote a tribute song called "Sigourney Weaver."
Sigourney Weaver: a sceneImage: Wikimedia Commons · Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0 - #004
Before they worked together on You Again (2010), she and Jamie Lee Curtis had both co-starred with nine of the same actors: Ray Liotta, Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Kline, Tim Allen, J.E. Freeman, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Philip Bosco and Bill Paxton. Both have also co-starred with Michelle Williams and worked with composer John Ottman and director James Cameron.
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Before working together on You Again (2010), she has co-starred with nine actors who have also co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis: Ray Liotta, Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Kline, Tim Allen, J.E. Freeman, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Philip Bosco and Bill Paxton. Both have co-starred with Michelle Williams. They have also both worked with composer John Ottman and director James Cameron.
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Sigourney Weaver's former roommate and high school classmate Frances Beinecke, later president of the Natural Resources Defense Council, inspired many of her roles, including Ellen Ripley in Aliens, Grace Augustine in Avatar and Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist, a real-life model for the strong women she played.
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Before working together on You Again (2010), Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis had each worked with nine of the same actors, Ray Liotta, Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Kline, Tim Allen, J.E. Freeman, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Philip Bosco and Bill Paxton, as well as Michelle Williams, composer John Ottman and director James Cameron, proof of how small Hollywood is.
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Production Story (12)
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She jumped at the chance to be in Paul (2011), which she saw as a love letter to science fiction fans and to a genre that has been very good to her. Simon Pegg had a crush on her and even wrote a poem about her at Bristol University, and he got his wish when they shared a scene in the film.
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Has worked with three Bagginses. In Alien (1979), she works with Ian Holm, who played Frodo in the BBC radio adaptation and Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003). In The Ice Storm (1997), she worked with Elijah Wood, who played the role in the film. In Aliens (1986), the stunt double for Newt was Kiran Shah, who was also Wood's scale double.
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Behind the Scenes (57)
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Her fee for the 1997 film Alien: Resurrection exceeded the total budget of the original 1979 Alien. This illustrates how much actors' salaries grew across the franchise's sequels and Weaver's importance to the series. The first film was made on a low budget and became a major box-office success; this leap in Weaver's salary proves that she had by then become a star.
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During the shooting of Alien: Resurrection (1997), Sigourney Weaver managed to sink a basketball into the hoop backwards on her first try; however, this move was not in the script and was not planned. This unexpected success surprised her co-star Ron Perlman so much that he broke character and reacted, and the take was nearly ruined. The incident remains an amusing memory that shows Weaver's improvisational skill and her energy on set.
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Sigourney Weaver's performance as Ellen Ripley in the Alien series ranked 8th on Premiere magazine's list of the '100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time'. This ranking shows the impact on cinema history of the strong female character she created in the science fiction genre. Ripley is regarded as a pioneering figure who changed the perception of the female hero in the horror and action genres.
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Sigourney Weaver accepted the offer to appear in Paul (2011) immediately because she saw the film as a love letter to science fiction fans and the genre had given her so much over her career. The poem Simon Pegg wrote about Weaver when he was a student at the University of Bristol showed his admiration for her. Pegg fulfilled his dream by working with her in a scene in this film; the meeting was a delightful moment for the pair's fans.
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Sigourney Weaver's father, Sylvester L. Weaver Jr. (Pat Weaver), served as president of NBC-TV between 1953 and 1955 and pioneered the desk-and-couch talk show format still in use today. This format came to life in the programs he created, Today (1952) and The Tonight Show (1953). His innovative contributions to the world of television meant that Weaver grew up in a family closely intertwined with the media and entertainment industry.
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Sigourney Weaver appeared in four productions nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: Annie Hall (1977), Working Girl (1988), Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022). Of these, Annie Hall went on to win the award. These films show the diversity of her career and her ability to appear in both independent and big-budget productions.
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Sigourney Weaver is one of the few actresses to be nominated for an Oscar for a performance in a horror film. The list also includes names such as Sissy Spacek, Jodie Foster and Kathy Bates. Weaver's achievement proves that the horror genre should be taken seriously in terms of acting and demonstrates her versatility across genres.
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Sigourney Weaver was considered for the role of Selina Kyle/Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992), but the role went to Michelle Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer's performance was widely praised and made the character of Catwoman iconic. Weaver's loss of this role invites speculation about alternative paths in her career; nevertheless, she continued on her own path.
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In the 6th edition of the book '1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die', compiled by Steven Jay Schneider, seven of Sigourney Weaver's films appear: Annie Hall (1977), Alien (1979), Ghostbusters (1984), Aliens (1986), The Ice Storm (1997), Avatar (2009) and The Cabin in the Woods (2011). These films represent various periods and genres of her career.
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Sigourney Weaver's first job was as an understudy in Sir John Gielgud's production of 'The Constant Wife', starring Ingrid Bergman. This experience gave her a solid start to her theatre career. Being part of the same production as a legend like Bergman was a great source of inspiration for the young Weaver.
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Many characters portrayed by Sigourney Weaver have had to interact with spaceships equipped with artificial intelligence. In the Alien films she fought against these ships; in Galaxy Quest (1999), her character ended up in a comical situation by having to repeat what the ship said. She also had the opportunity to voice a spaceship in an episode of Futurama (1999) and in WALL·E (2008). This recurring theme became part of her career in the science fiction genre.
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Sigourney Weaver's American father had English, German, Scottish and distant Dutch origins; her mother was English. This multicultural heritage contributed to her upbringing in a cosmopolitan family. Weaver's closeness to both English and American cultures may also be reflected in the diversity of her acting.
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The character of Dana Barrett in the Ghostbusters films is the only main character not to appear in the animated adaptation The Real Ghostbusters (1986). This kept Weaver's character as an element unique to the live-action films. Dana Barrett is remembered as one of Weaver's notable comedy roles.
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Sigourney Weaver was considered for the role of Dr. Ellie Sattler in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park (1993), but the role went to Laura Dern. Dern's performance is remembered as one of the strong female characters in the film. Weaver's loss of this role remained another 'what if' scenario in her career.
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Sigourney Weaver has appeared in four films selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as 'culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant': Annie Hall (1977), Alien (1979), Ghostbusters (1984) and WALL·E (2008). These films are counted among the most valuable works in American cinema history. Weaver's presence in these productions shows the lasting impact of her career.
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Sigourney Weaver is the only actor to appear in all of the films based on Dan O'Bannon's screenplay: Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien³ (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997). This series became one of the cornerstones of her career. Weaver's presence in these four films was the most important element ensuring the continuity of the Alien series.
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Sigourney Weaver's mother, Elizabeth Inglis, attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London alongside Vivien Leigh. This connection shows the deep ties between Weaver's family and the world of theater. Leigh became legendary for the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind; Inglis studying at the same school as her strengthens the family's artistic legacy.
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Femme Fatales magazine placed Sigourney Weaver at number 13 on its '50 Sexiest in Science Fiction' list. This ranking shows her allure in the science fiction genre and her influence on her fan base. Weaver's inclusion on this list proves that she is regarded as one of the genre's iconic female figures.
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Sigourney Weaver was nominated for Best Actress (Featured Role - Play) at Broadway's 1985 Tony Awards for her performance in David Rabe's play 'Hurly Burly', but the award went to her co-star Judith Ivey. This nomination shows her success in her theater career. Weaver's breakthrough on Broadway revealed her talent in the performing arts alongside her film career.
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Sigourney Weaver was considered for the role of Carrigan Crittenden in the fantasy comedy Casper (1995), but the role was given to Cathy Moriarty. Moriarty's performance is remembered as the film's villain. Weaver's missing out on this role remained another 'what could have been' scenario in her career.
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Sigourney Weaver was considered for the role of Barbara Maitland in the horror comedy Beetlejuice (1988), but the role was given to Geena Davis. Davis's performance holds an important place in Tim Burton's cult film. Weaver's missing out on this role invites reflection on the alternative paths in her career.
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Throughout her career, Sigourney Weaver worked with the actor who portrayed three different Baggins characters from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings universe. In Alien (1979), she appeared alongside Ian Holm, who played Frodo in the BBC radio adaptation and Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings films; in The Ice Storm (1997), she appeared alongside Elijah Wood, who portrayed Frodo. Additionally, in Aliens (1986), Newt's stunt double Kiran Shah had also served as Wood's scale double.
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Sigourney Weaver was considered for the role of Elaine Dickinson in the disaster comedy Airplane! (1980), but the part went to Julie Hagerty. Hagerty's performance became one of the film's most memorable characters. Weaver's loss of the role prevented her from exploring a different side of her talent in comedy.
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Sigourney Weaver took classes from acting teacher Michael Howard (1923-2019) in New York City. Howard was one of the important figures of American theater and contributed to the training of many famous actors. This training helped Weaver develop her acting technique and advance her career with solid steps.
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Sigourney Weaver was considered for the role of Alex Forrest in Adrian Lyne's Fatal Attraction (1987), but the part went to Glenn Close. Close's performance is regarded as one of the most memorable villains in cinema history. Weaver's loss of this role remained another significant 'what if' scenario in her career.
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Sigourney Weaver's former roommate and high school classmate Frances Beinecke is the former president of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Beinecke has been an inspiration for many of Weaver's roles, such as Ellen Ripley in Aliens, Grace Augustine in Avatar and Dian Fossey in Gorillas in the Mist.
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Before working together on You Again (2010), Sigourney Weaver and Jamie Lee Curtis had each appeared in the same projects as nine actors: Ray Liotta, Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Kline, Tim Allen, J.E. Freeman, Mel Gibson, Elijah Wood, Philip Bosco and Bill Paxton. Both actors also appeared alongside Michelle Williams and worked with composer John Ottman and director James Cameron.
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Sigourney Weaver has appeared in four of the most successful science fiction series in cinema history: Alien, Ghostbusters, Avatar and Star Wars. These series allowed her to appear in the genre's most important productions. Weaver's presence in these four franchises proves that she is one of the living legends of science fiction cinema.
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Characters & Cast (16)
Easter Eggs & References (1)
Career & Awards (44)
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Along with Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Janet Leigh, Jodie Foster, Glenn Close, Kathy Bates, Eileen Heckart, Ruth Gordon, Patty McCormack, Nancy Kelly, Toni Collette, Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Amy Madigan and Wunmi Mosaku, she's one of the few actresses ever Oscar-nominated for a horror film.
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She's one of only twelve actors, along with Fay Bainter, Teresa Wright, Barry Fitzgerald, Jessica Lange, Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Emma Thompson, Julianne Moore, Jamie Foxx, Cate Blanchett and Scarlett Johansson, to be Oscar-nominated in two acting categories in the same year: at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989, she was up for Best Actress for Gorillas in the Mist (1988) and Best Supporting Actress for Working Girl (1988).
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Sigourney Weaver is one of the few actors Oscar-nominated in two acting categories in the same year: at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989, she was up for Best Actress for Gorillas in the Mist (1988) and Best Supporting Actress for Working Girl (1988), proof of her range in drama and comedy, joining a list that includes Fay Bainter, Jessica Lange and Cate Blanchett.
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The 6th edition of '1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,' compiled by Steven Jay Schneider, includes seven Sigourney Weaver films from across her career: Annie Hall (1977), Alien (1979), Ghostbusters (1984), Aliens (1986), The Ice Storm (1997), Avatar (2009) and The Cabin in the Woods (2011).
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Many of Sigourney Weaver's characters have had to deal with spaceships run by artificial intelligence: she fought them in the Alien films, her Galaxy Quest (1999) character was comically reduced to repeating what the ship said, and she voiced a spaceship herself in an episode of Futurama (1999) and in WALL·E (2008).
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Sigourney Weaver has worked with three Bagginses from J.R.R. Tolkien's world: in Alien (1979), with Ian Holm, who played Frodo in the BBC radio adaptation and Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings films; in The Ice Storm (1997), with Elijah Wood, the films' Frodo; and in Aliens (1986), with Kiran Shah, Newt's stunt double, who was also Wood's scale double.
Life & Family (36)
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Sigourney Weaver said yes to Paul (2011) right away, seeing it as a love letter to science-fiction fans and a genre that had given her so much, and Simon Pegg, who had written a poem about her as a student at the University of Bristol, got to fulfill his dream of sharing a scene with her.
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