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 Sigourney Weaver
(1949)
Has created a host of memorable film characters, both dramatic and comic, from “Alien’s” Ellen Ripley to “Gorillas in the Mist’s” Dian Fossey. She has captivated audiences and won acclaim as one of the most esteemed actresses on both stage and screen.
Born and educated in New York City, Weaver graduated from Stanford University and received a Masters degree from the Yale School of Drama. Her first professional job was as an understudy in Sir John Gielgud’s production of “The Constant Wife,” starring Ingrid Bergman.
Weaver made her motion picture debut in Ridley Scott’s blockbuster “Alien.” She later reprised the role of Warrant Officer Ripley in James Cameron’s “Aliens,” which earned her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress. She again brought Ripley back to life in David Fincher’s “Alien 3,” which she also co-produced, and “Alien Resurrection” for director Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
Following “Alien,” Weaver had starring roles in three back to back hit movies: “Gorillas in the Mist,” in which she portrayed primatologist Dian Fossey, the Mike Nichols comedy “Working Girl,” and “Ghostbusters II.” Weaver received her second and third Academy Award nominations and was awarded Golden Globes for her performances in “Gorillas in the Mist” and “Working Girl.” Other films include the thriller “Copycat,” Paul Rudnick’s comedy “Jeffrey,” Roman Polanski’s gripping film adaptation of “Death and the Maiden,” “Half Moon Street” with Michael Caine, Ridley Scott’s “1492,” “One Woman or Two” with Gerard Depardieu, “Eyewitness” with William Hurt, and Showtime’s live-action film “Snow White,” based on the original Grimm’s fairytale, which earned her an Emmy® nomination and a Screen Actors Guild nomination.
In 1997 Weaver joined the ensemble of Ang Lee’s critically acclaimed film “The Ice Storm” playing alongside Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Elijah Wood and Christina Ricci. Her performance earned Weaver a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe nomination and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She later gave a galvanizing performance in “A Map of The World,” Scott Elliott’s powerful drama based on the novel by Jane Hamilton, which earned Weaver critical praise and a Golden Globe nomination for best actress. Alongside crewmates Tim Allen and Alan Rickman, she delighted audiences with her flair for comedy in the science fiction comedy “Galaxy Quest,” directed by Dean Parisot, which proved to be a hit of the 1999 holiday season. She followed this with the popular comedy “Heartbreakers,” playing opposite Gene Hackman and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
In 2003, Weaver played the cold-blooded, red-headed warden in the hit comedy “Holes,” directed by Andy Davis, and starred in the film version of “The Guys,” with Anthony LaPaglia, directed by Jim Simpson. Following this, Weaver appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” and received rave reviews for her performance in “Imaginary Heroes,” written and directed by Dan Harris.
In addition to her film credits, Weaver has also taken time to shine on the stage. Weaver started out on Off-Off Broadway in Christopher Durang’s “The Nature and Purpose of the Universe,” “Titanic” and “Das Lusitania Songspiel.” She and Durang co-wrote “Das Lusitania,” which earned them both Drama Desk nominations. She has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions in New York, working with the playwrights John Guare, Albert Innaurato, Richard Nelson and Len Jenkin. In regional repertory, she has performed works by Pinter, Williams, Feydeau and Shakespeare. Weaver received a Tony® Award nomination for her starring role in “Hurlyburly” on Broadway, directed by Mike Nichols. She played Portia in the Classic Stage Company of New York’s production of “The Merchant of Venice.” In 1996, Weaver returned to Broadway in the Lincoln Center production of “Sex and Longing,” written by Christopher Durang.
Weaver originated roles in two A.R. Gurney world premieres, “Crazy Mary,” at Playwrights Horizons, and “Mrs. Farnsworth,” at the Flea Theater. She also starred in Neil LaBute’s play “The Mercy Seat,” opposite Liev Schreiber. Weaver also originated the female lead in Anne Nelson´s “The Guys at The Flea,” commissioned and directed by Jim Simpson. The play tells the story of a fire captain dealing with the aftermath of 9/11.
Recent films include “Infamous” with Toby Jones and Sandra Bullock; Jake Kasdan’s “The TV Set”; “Snow Cake,” opposite Alan Rickman; “The Girl in the Park,” opposite Kate Bosworth; “Vantage Point” with Dennis Quaid and Forest Whitaker; and the Tina Fey/Amy Poehler comedy “Baby Mama.” In 2008 Weaver lent her voice to Pixar’s box office smash “Wall-E,” as well as to “The Tale of Despereaux” with Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman and Emma Watson.
Upcoming films include “Crazy on the Outside,” which marks Tim Allen’s directorial debut; Universal Pictures and Working Title Film’s comedy “Paul,” starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, as well as Seth Rogen and Jason Bateman; and Andy Fickman’s comedy “You Again,” alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Kristen Bell.
In TV, Weaver received an Emmy nomination for lead actress for her role as Mary Griffith in Lifetime’s “Prayers for Bobby,” which was also nominated for Outstanding Made for Television Movie.
Date of Birth: October 8, 1949 (USA, New York City, New York)
Birth Name: Susan Alexandra Weaver
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