Biography of Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver is an American actress best known for her role as Ellen Ripley, the heroine of the film "Alien," who became one of the most significant female characters not only in commercial cinema but also in popular culture in general.
Childhood and Youth
The future actress was born in New York in October 1949. Born Susan, she chose to change her name at 14, taking it from a character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby."Her father, Sylvester Weaver, was a media manager and one of the founders of the NBC television network, who invented the talk show format. In the fifties, he launched Today, Tonight, and Home—shows that became American television staples.
The family lived in Manhattan and led a fairly affluent life. Susan and her brother had everything—maids and governesses, private school education. However, the girl did not escape insecurities. By age 11, she was already 5'9" and considered herself unattractive.
Her mother offered little support, breaking from typical maternal encouragement. When Susan asked if she was pretty, her mother bluntly replied that her appearance was "quite ordinary."
In 1971, Sigourney enrolled in the Yale School of Drama. Her classmate was Meryl Streep. Here, she gained experience performing on stage.
Acting Career
Sigourney Weaver made her film debut in 1977 with a tiny role in Woody Allen's "Annie Hall." Her second role, however, brought Weaver incredible success.
Initially, Meryl Streep was cast as Ripley. But just before filming began, her beloved John Cazale passed away. The studio scrambled to find a replacement.
Weaver was one of the last candidates at the casting. Director Ridley Scott wasn't impressed with anyone. By the time Sigourney auditioned, the film sets were already built. When she walked into the studio at her impressive 6-foot height, she towered over everyone, even in heels. Scott immediately saw what he was looking for in her.
At the time, Weaver never imagined the "Alien" saga would span four films, ending with the final installment in 1997. Initially, the script seemed implausible to her even for the science fiction genre. She decided to approach it like Shakespeare's "Henry V," even if it was set on a spaceship.
After "Alien," her career featured many interesting roles. Audiences especially loved her as Dana Barrett in "Ghostbusters," Katharine Parker in "Working Girl," and animal rights activist Dian Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist" (earning Golden Globes for both), plus her chilling stepmother in "Snow White: A Tale of Terror."
According to Weaver, Cameron initially worried audiences might think of "Alien," but he knew she was perfect for Grace. Weaver herself called the role "worth two cents." But she was fascinated by the film's take on "enlightened human barbarism."
Public Activities
In 1988, Weaver played the lead role in the biographical drama "Gorillas in the Mist," dedicated to the issue of the destruction of apes for profit. Inspired by the example of her character, the real-life animal rights activist Dian Fossey, the actress became involved with the charity organization The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, eventually taking on the role of honorary chairperson. The foundation is engaged in the protection of endangered mountain gorillas.Sigourney Weaver's Personal Life
Fresh out of high school in 1967, Sigourney Weaver spent several months living and working on a kibbutz in Israel. That's where she met reporter Aaron Latham, and the two quickly tied the knot.The marriage barely lasted a year. Weaver's fiery temper proved to be a problem, and one particularly heated argument ended in spectacular fashion: after fighting in bed, she stormed to the kitchen, grabbed a carton of eggs, and started hurling them at her husband. One scored a direct hit to his face.
Sigourney met her future husband, theater director Jim Simpson, in 1983 at a party after a play. Their connection was instant—she felt like she'd known him forever. What drew her to Simpson was his grounded perspective, his down-to-earth nature, and his refreshing lack of Hollywood pretensions.
Starting a family proved challenging for the couple. Though Weaver desperately wanted children, she didn't become a mother until she was 40. The long-awaited girl was named Charlotte.
Sigourney Weaver Now
In 2022, Sigourney Weaver took on the lead role in the thriller "The Gardener," playing Mrs. Haverhill, the owner of a wealthy estate. The gardener Narvel Roth was played by Joel Edgerton.That same year saw the release of "Call Jane," a historical drama tackling abortion rights. Weaver played Virginia, the leader of an underground network helping women whose lives are at risk due to pregnancy complications and restrictive abortion laws.
The main premiere of 2022 for the actress was "Avatar: The Way of Water," initially planned for release in 2021 but postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic. In the film, Weaver—already in her seventies—not only returned as Grace but also used cutting-edge technology to transform into Kiri, a teenage Na'vi girl from Pandora and adopted daughter of protagonist Jake Sully.
Director James Cameron spoke highly of Sigourney Weaver's performance. He felt she'd found her fountain of youth and stayed completely in character throughout motion capture.
Weaver admitted she was also motivated by refusing to let colleagues think she was too old to handle the demanding role. The third, fourth, and fifth "Avatar" films are slated for release by 2028, with Weaver expected to return.
In 2023, the Amazon series "The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart" premiered, with Sigourney Weaver in the lead role. Additionally, the actress served as the executive producer of the project.
