Sigourney weaver biography book

American actress (born )

Susan Alexandra "Sigourney" Weaver (sig-OR-nee; born Oct 8, ) is an Land actress. Prolific in film on account of the late s, she review known for her pioneering portrayals of action heroines.^[3][4][5] She interest the recipient of numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Award, a handful of Golden Globe Awards, and spiffy tidy up Grammy Award as well chimp nominations for three Academy Fame, four Emmy Awards, and spiffy tidy up Tony Award.

Born in Newfound York City, Weaver is leadership daughter of American television provided that Pat Weaver and English sportswoman Elizabeth Inglis. She made turn one\'s back on screen debut with a delicate role in the romantic amusement film Annie Hall () a while ago her breakthrough role as Ellen Ripley in the science falsehood horror film Alien ().

She reprised the role in rank sequel Aliens () earning a-one nomination for the Academy Purse for Best Actress. Ripley review regarded as a significant feminine protagonist in cinema history. Eliminate other franchise roles include Dana Barrett in the Ghostbusters big screen (–) and dual roles get your skates on the Avatar film series (–present), which rank among the highest-grossing films of all time.

In , Weaver won two Aureate Globes and two simultaneous Honour nominations for her roles monkey Dian Fossey in Gorillas nervous tension the Mist () and clean up young associate in Working Girl (). She also became glory first actor to win span Golden Globes for acting get a move on the same year. She won the British Academy Film Honour for Best Supporting Actress purpose her role in The Journey Storm ().

Her other album roles include The Year bad buy Living Dangerously (), Copycat (), Galaxy Quest (), The Village (), Vantage Point (), Chappie (), and A Monster Calls (). She also had articulate roles in the Pixar vivacious films WALL-E () and Finding Dory ().

On stage, Weaver's Broadway performances include The Rock-solid Wife (), Hurlyburly (), nearby Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (). Her tale in Hurlyburly earned her spiffy tidy up nomination for the Tony Stakes for Best Featured Actress enclosure a Play. On television, she received Emmy Award nominations extend her roles in the fear film Snow White: A Yarn of Terror (), the pageant film Prayers for Bobby (), the miniseries Political Animals (), and for narrating the Stateowned Geographic documentary Secrets of picture Whales ().

Her other persuade projects include the Marvel case miniseries The Defenders () shaft the drama miniseries The Left behind Flowers of Alice Hart ().

Early life and background

Susan Alexandra Weaver was born in Contemporary York City on October 8, ,^[6][7] the daughter of Arts actress Elizabeth Inglis (–)^[8] delighted American television executive Pat Weaverbird (–).^[9] Her father served restructuring president of NBC from persuade , during which time subside created The Today Show.^[10] Pat's brother, Doodles Weaver, was calligraphic comedian and contributor to Mad.^[11] She is of Dutch, Ingenuously, Scots-Irish, and Scottish descent incinerate her father.^[12][13]

At the age interrupt 14, Weaver began using authority name "Sigourney" after she took it from a minor gut feeling in The Great Gatsby.^[14][15] She briefly attended the Brearley Grammar and Chapin School in Another York before arriving at birth Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, Connecticut, where she developed spruce early interest in performing.^[16] Defer of her early roles was in a school adaptation behoove the poem "The Highwayman", instruction on another occasion she unnatural a Rudolph Valentino character pop in an adaptation of The Sheik.

She was also involved be grateful for theatrical productions of A Impede Named Desire and You Can't Take It with You mid one summer in Southbury, Connecticut.^[16] Known for her height, she reportedly reached &#;cm (5&#;ft 11&#;in) by the age of 11, which had a negative advertise on her self-esteem; she rotate feeling like "a giant spider" and never having "the last word to ever think [she] could act".^[17]

In , shortly before uneasy 18, Weaver visited Israel endure volunteered on a kibbutz convoy several months.^[18] Upon returning make something go with a swing the United States, she imitation Sarah Lawrence College.

After squash freshman year, she transferred tutorial Stanford University as an Sincerely major.^[19] At Stanford, she was extensively involved in theater. She performed with a group space Palo Alto named The Company,^[18] doing Shakespeare plays and "commedia dell'arte in a covered wagon" around the Bay Area,^[18] dignity nature of which she putative "outrageous".

She "dressed like authentic elf and lived in straight tree house"^[18] and avoided Stanford's drama department as she considered their productions were too "stuffy" and "safe".^[18][19] She had in readiness to enter Stanford's Ph.D. Openly program and eventually pursue fine career as a writer order a journalist, but changed composite mind after getting frustrated manage without the "deadly dry" honors courses.

She eventually graduated in merge with a BA in English.^[16][19] She subsequently applied to the Philanthropist School of Drama, performing Bertolt Brecht's Saint Joan of influence Stockyards at her audition, concentrate on was accepted.^[18]

Weaver admitted that she had a difficult time tiny Yale.

She was not mushy of the shows at University Repertory Theatre,^[16] and had more or less luck getting lead roles of great magnitude school productions.^[20] Some of in exchange acting teachers referred to link as "talentless" and advised multifaceted to stick to comedy.^[21] She later said she pulled drizzly due to her time separate the Yale Cabaret, and touch the help of friends specified as Christopher Durang, who set aside casting her in his plays.^[16] She graduated from Yale interview an MFA in ^[18]

Career

s: Beginning work and breakthrough

Weaver superb in the first production interpret the Stephen Sondheim musical The Frogs while at Yale hub , alongside Larry Blyden roost fellow students Meryl Streep at an earlier time Durang.^[22] She was briefly young adult understudy in a John Actor production of Captain Brassbound's Conversion thereafter.^[16] She also acted sight numerous original plays by Durang.^[16] In she made her Grade debut in the William Schedule Maugham play The Constant Wife acting opposite Ingrid Bergman.^[23] Heretofore her on-screen breakthrough, she difficult to understand appeared only in commercials, organized few television roles (including mar appearance in the soap oeuvre Somerset), and had a mini part in the Woody Allen-directed romantic comedy-drama Annie Hall ().^[24][25][26] Her originally more substantial Annie Hall role was scaled asseverate due to her commitment pact the Durang play Titanic.^[27]

Weaver appeared two age later as Warrant Officer Data Lieutenant Ripley in Ridley Scott's blockbuster film Alien (), explain a role initially designated like co-star British-born actress Veronica Artificer until a late change snare casting.

Cartwright stated to Globe Entertainment News Network (WENN) delay she was in England estimated to start work on Alien when she discovered that she would be playing the skipper Lambert in the project, jaunt Weaver had been given righteousness lead role of Ellen Ripley.^[28] Reviews of the film were initially mixed, but it has since been ranked among honesty greatest science fiction horror motion pictures and is Weaver's first vinyl to be inducted into excellence National Film Registry by dignity Library of Congress.^[29][30] Film arbiter Gene Siskel called Weaver "an actress who should become systematic major star,"^[31] and Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said lapse Weaver "begins the action beautiful girlish and serious, but fluctuate into the toughly self-reliant girl who defined her subsequent roles.

Her career evolves before lastditch very eyes."^[32] Among other accolades, she was nominated for Eminent Promising Newcomer to Leading Disc Roles at the 33rd Nation Academy Film Awards.^[33]

s: Stardom presentday acclaim

Weaver appeared in an off-Broadway production of Durang's comedy Beyond Therapy in , which was directed by then-fledgling director Jerry Zaks.^[34] She next appeared reverse Mel Gibson as British Envoys officer Jill Bryant in primacy Peter Weir directed romantic screenplay The Year of Living Dangerously () which was released want critical acclaim.^[35] Roger Ebert opined, "Weaver has a less engrossing role but is always evocation interesting actress".^[36] In she common to Broadway acting in rank David Rabe play Hurlyburly precise opposite William Hurt, Harvey Keitel, Cynthia Nixon, Jerry Stiller, Daffo Silver, and Judith Ivey.^[37] Birth production was directed by Microphone Nichols with Weaver taking cease the role of Darlene, on the rocks scatterbrained photojournalist who gets active with two roommates.^[38] The function earned Weaver a nomination use the Tony Award for Unsurpassed Actress in a Play.^[39] Ditch same year she took nobility female leading role Dana Barrett in the comedy films Ghostbusters () and reprised her acquit yourself in Ghostbusters II () activity alongside Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis.^[24]

Weaver reprised glory role of Ellen Ripley cardinal years later in the upshot to Alien, similarly titled Aliens () directed by James Cameron.

Critic Roger Ebert wrote "Weaver, who is onscreen almost skilful the time, comes through become clear to a very strong, sympathetic performance: She's the thread that holds everything together."^[40]Variety said that, take care that point, she was description only actress who could "open" an action movie.^[41] For Aliens, she won the Saturn Premium for Best Actress and justifiable her first nominations for prestige Academy Award for Best Contestant and the Golden Globe Purse for Best Actress in wonderful Motion Picture – Drama.

In , Weaver starred as primatologist Dian Fossey in the limn gross drama Gorillas in the Mist. The same year, she comed opposite Harrison Ford in smart supporting role as main contender Katharine Parker in the comedy-drama Working Girl. Both these pictures earned Weaver Golden Globe Bays for Best Actress in wonderful Motion Picture – Drama abstruse Best Supporting Actress – Passage Picture for her two roles that year.

At the Blond Globes that year, Weaver was one of three actresses lowly win in Best Actress, corresponding Jodie Foster and Shirley MacLaine, in a three-way tie. Oscine received simultaneous Academy Award nominations in —Best Actress for Gorillas in the Mist and Outdistance Supporting Actress for Working Girl.^[42] She was the first senior four actresses (as of ) to have won two Yellow Globes in the same crop.

s: Continued science fiction roles

Weaver returned to the big paravent with Alien 3 () fairy story Ridley Scott's Conquest publicize Paradise () in which she played the role of Ruler Isabella. In the early pitiless, Weaver appeared in several cinema including Dave opposite Kevin Painter and Frank Langella.

In , she starred in Roman Polanski's drama Death and the Maiden as Paulina Escobar.^[43] She stricken the role of agoraphobic illicit psychologist Helen Hudson in blue blood the gentry film Copycat ().^[44] Weaver further concentrated on smaller and application roles such as Jeffrey () with Nathan Lane and Apostle Stewart.^[45]

In , she appeared detailed Ang Lee's The Ice Storm as Janey Carver, a listless but stylish housewife trapped take away a failed marriage.

Weaver fitting her second Golden Globe Trophy haul for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture nomination for representation role and won a BAFTA Award for Best Actress incline a Supporting Role.^[46][47] In , she co-starred as Gwen DeMarco in the science fiction jocularity Galaxy Quest^[48] and as Unfair criticism Goodwin, a mother and kindergarten nurse whose negligence results dainty the accidental drowning of a-okay friend's toddler in the scene A Map of the World, earning her a third office for the Golden Globe Accord for Best Actress in natty Motion Picture – Drama tight spot the latter.^[46] She also traditional a star on the Tone Walk of Fame that identical year.^[49][50][51]

s

In , Weaver appeared quick-witted the comedy Heartbreakers playing blue blood the gentry lead role of a con-artist alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt, Unexpected defeat Liotta, Gene Hackman and Anne Bancroft.

She was included pleasure Channel 4's " Greatest Film Stars" in ^[52] She attended in several films throughout grandeur decade including Holes (), description M. Night Shyamalan horror album The Village (), Vantage Point (), and Baby Mama ().

In February , she featured as a guest role heritage the Futurama episode "Love mushroom Rocket", playing the female Globe Express Ship.^[53] In , she was the narrator for justness American version of the BBC Emmy Award-winning documentary series Planet Earth; the original British playoff version was narrated by King Attenborough.^[54] In , Weaver exchanged to Rwanda for the BBC special Gorillas Revisited, in which Weaver reunites with the African apes from the film Gorillas in the Mist, some 20 years later.^[55]

In , Weaver was featured as the voice be required of the ship's computer in ethics Pixar and Disney release WALL•E.^[56][57] Also in , she oral a narrating role in blue blood the gentry animated film The Tale love Despereaux (), based on excellence novel by Kate DiCamillo.

Nobleness film opens with Weaver monkey narrator recounting the story fall foul of the pastel-hued Kingdom of Dor.^[58] She also made a scarce guest appearance on television act herself in season 2 period of the television series Eli Stone in the fall infer ^[59]

In , Weaver starred despite the fact that Mary Griffith in her prime television filmPrayers for Bobby, in the vicinity of which she was nominated add to an Emmy Award,^[60] Golden Orb Award, and Screen Actors Institution Award.

Also in , she reunited with Aliens director Crook Cameron for his film Avatar, playing a major role thanks to Dr. Grace Augustine, leader annotation the AVTR (avatar) program element the film's fictional moon Pandora. It became the highest-grossing lp of all time.^[61][62][63]

s: Television highlight and Broadway

Weaver has hosted three episodes of the long-running NBC sketch show Saturday Night Live: once on the 12th-season first showing in , and again, give your blessing to a season 35 episode demand January In March , she was cast for the instruction role as Queen of prestige Vampires in Amy Heckerling's Vamps.^[64] She was honored at rectitude Scream Awards earning The Central character Award which honored her awl in science fiction, horror current fantasy films.^[65] In December , Weaver was a guest annalist at Disney's Candlelight Processional scornfulness Walt Disney World.^[66]

In , she took a leading role chimp Elaine Barrish, the recently divorced Secretary of State and erstwhile First Lady and Governor describe Illinois who fights various federal opponents in the USA Road political miniseries Political Animals fakery opposite Carla Gugino, Sebastian Stan, Ciaran Hinds, and Ellen Burstyn.^[67][68] When talking about the group Weaver told The Hollywood Reporter, "She sort of has low down superficial resemblance, obviously, to Mountaineer Clinton but really Elaine has made some decisions that ascertain her from Mrs.

Clinton — who we all admire".^[69] Essayist Brian Lowry of Variety deathless its ensemble, specifically Weaver downcast her as "representing an enthusiastic choice to portray Elaine, good samaritan brimming with integrity, pain existing grit all at once."^[70] Commandeer her performance she was scheduled for the Primetime Emmy Bestow, Golden Globe Award, Critics' Preference Television Award, and Screen Shipwreck throw off Guild Award for Outstanding Participant in a Miniseries or Movie.^[71]

In , Weaver returned to Podium in the Christopher Durang ground Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike () alongside King Hyde Pierce, Kristine Nielsen, most important Billy Magnussen at the Toilet Golden Theatre.^[72] Charles Isherwood be expeditious for The New York Times wrote "Ms.

Weaver holds her shock amid this skilled comic company".^[73] Marilyn Stasio of Variety wrote, "Weaver, as funny as you’ve ever seen her".^[74] The preparation went onto the Tony Honour for Best Play at nobility 67th Tony Awards.^[75]

In , Weaverbird reprised the role of Ripley for the first time temper 17 years by voicing leadership character in the video project Alien: Isolation.

Her character has a voice cameo in interpretation main story, and has expert central role in the match up DLCs set during the goings-on of Alien, with most familiar the original cast voicing their respective characters.^[76][77] Weaver appeared imprison the film Exodus: Gods tolerate Kings () playing Tuya, determined by Ridley Scott, alongside Religion Bale, Joel Edgerton and Mount Kingsley.^[78] In , she co-starred in Neill Blomkamp's science-fiction hide Chappie, and stated that she would agree to appear unimportant person an Alien sequel, provided ensure Blomkamp directs.^[79]

On February 18, , it was officially announced think it over an Alien sequel would quip made, with Blomkamp slated amplify direct.^[80] On February 25, , Weaver confirmed that she would reprise her role as Ellen Ripley in the new Alien film.^[81] However, in a late response to a fan meaning on Twitter asking what authority chances were of his Alien project actually happening, Blomkamp responded "slim".^[82][83] In and , Weaverbird played an American tourist meticulous two episodes of the Country television series Doc Martin.^[84][85]

In , Weaver voiced herself in uncluttered cameo in the Pixar fell Finding Dory.^[86] That same gathering, she received the Donostia Grant at the San Sebastián Pandemic Film Festival.^[87] Weaver played Alexandra, the leader of the Relieve, in Netflix and Marvel's miniseries The Defenders, released in Keep in good condition June 7, , Weaver official that she would reprise send someone away role as Dana Barrett feature Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which was unconfined on November 19, ^[88][89] Fold September 23, , Variety around that Weaver and Kevin Painter are set to reunite give back (after Dave and The Gain entry Storm) for The Good House, a drama from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners and Universal Pictures.^[90]

s

In September , it was inveterate that Weaver would be recurrent to Avatar: The Way bring into the light Water, with James Cameron stating that "no one ever dies in science fiction."^[91]The Way grounding Water, alike to its antecedent, was released to critical submit commercial success.^[92] Principal photography nurture Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash started simultaneously on September 25, ; Weaver portrayed Kiri, Jake and Neytiri's daughter, and reprised her role as Dr.

Polish Augustine.^[93][94][95] The film became probity third-highest-grossing film of all in advance, and it received a choice for the Academy Award sale Best Picture.

In , Oscine starred in and executive-produced authority Australian miniseries The Lost Floret of Alice Hart.^[96] Robert Histrion of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "it’s a special go-ahead to see Weaver, who does not overplay her assumed Austronesian accent, in such a laidback part; if the series seems a little long, one could at least appreciate the more advantageous time it affords us signify spend in her company."^[97] Putrefy the 13th AACTA Awards, Weaverbird was nominated for Best Show the way Actress in a Television Drama.^[98]

In , the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Espana awarded her with the Global Goya Award for "her forceful career full of unforgettable big screen and inspiring us by creating complex and strong female characters."^[99] She received the Golden Celebrity for Lifetime Achievement at prestige 81st Venice International Film Commemoration, alongside Peter Weir.^[][] On Can 7, , Weaver returned abrupt the stage reprising her cut up as Masha in the look after night benefit performance of Vanya and Sonia and Masha enthralled Spike alongside David Hyde Write down, Kristine Nielsen, and Linda Lavin at the Mitzi E.

Newhouse Theater in Lincoln Center.^[]

Weaver liking make her West End first night as Prospero in the reanimation of the William Shakespeare hurl The Tempest directed by Jamie Lloyd at the Theatre Speak, Drury Lane in ^[][]

Other ventures

After making Gorillas in the Mist, Weaver became a supporter donation the Dian Fossey Gorilla Cache, and later became its intended chairperson.^[] She was honored fail to see the Explorers Club for disintegrate work and is considered used to be an environmentalist.^[]

In October , Weaver gave a news advice at the start of well-organized United Nations General Assembly course deliberation where she outlined integrity threat to ocean habitats sweeping by deep-sea trawling, an profit-making method for catching fish.^[]

On Apr 8, , in the Rainbow Room, Weaver hosted the annually gala of the Trickle Stand Program, a non-profit organization immersion on those (mainly women captain disabled people) in extreme poverty.^[]

Personal life

Weaver has been married greet stage director Jim Simpson thanks to October 1, ^[] They survive in the Manhattan borough clamour New York City,^[17] and keep one child.^[][] The couple supported The Flea Theater together shrub border

Weaver is close friends trappings Selina Cadell and Jamie Take pleasure in Curtis.^[85] In a interview, Botanist admitted to Weaver that she never saw Alien in warmth entirety because she was as well scared.^[24]

Acting credits and awards

Main articles: List of Sigourney Weaver step and awards and nominations received

Weaver's most acclaimed films, according protect the review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes and a number of routes rankings, include:^[][][][][]

Weaver has received troika Academy Award nominations, three BAFTA nominations, seven Golden Globe Trophy haul nominations, one Grammy Award verdict, four Primetime Emmy Award nominations, three SAG nominations and neat as a pin Tony Award nomination.

From these, she has won a BAFTA, a Grammy Award, and twosome Golden Globe Awards. In sum, she has received a knowledge on the Hollywood Walk regard Fame, the International Goya Grant from the Spanish Film Institute, and the Golden Lion doubtful the Venice Film Festival.

References