Sigourney Weaver Movies: A Legendary Career in Hollywood

Introduction

Sigourney Weaver is one of the most influential actresses in modern cinema, known for redefining the role of women in action, science fiction, and drama. Her legendary portrayal of Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979) set a new standard for female protagonists, and she has since built an extraordinary career with a wide range of films and TV shows.

This in-depth guide explores who Sigourney Weaver is, her early life and education, her rise to fame, a timeline of her most important films, her television work, presence on Netflix, net worth, and more. Whether you’re discovering her for the first time or revisiting her work, this article provides everything you need to know about this Hollywood icon.

Who is Sigourney Weaver?

Born as Susan Alexandra Weaver on October 8, 1949, in New York City, she took on the name “Sigourney” from a character in The Great Gatsby. Known for her intelligence, height, and commanding screen presence, she quickly rose to prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s. Her breakout role as Ripley in Alien catapulted her into stardom and earned her recognition as the first female action hero in mainstream Hollywood.

Weaver became known for taking on strong, intellectually driven characters and pushing against the traditional limits imposed on actresses, especially in science fiction—a genre that was, at the time, largely male-dominated.

Sigourney Weaver’s Age and Birthday

As of 2025, Sigourney Weaver is 75 years old. She was born on October 8, 1949. Despite her age, she continues to work in high-profile projects, showing both her versatility and long-standing relevance in the industry.

Height and Physical Traits

Sigourney Weaver is known for her tall and striking figure. She stands at 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm), which has been both a challenge and a strength in her acting career. While she initially felt self-conscious about her height, it ultimately gave her a commanding presence on screen, setting her apart in auditions and on film.

Education and Early Years

Weaver attended several prestigious schools during her upbringing, including The Chapin School, The Brearley School, and The Ethel Walker School. She later earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Stanford University in 1972.

Following her undergraduate studies, she pursued acting seriously and enrolled in the Yale School of Drama, where she received a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 1974. While at Yale, she trained alongside other soon-to-be stars like Meryl Streep, honing her craft through rigorous theatrical performance and classical training.

Sigourney Weaver Movies in Order (Highlights)

Sigourney Weaver’s movie career spans more than four decades and includes box office hits, award-winning performances, and cult classics.

She began her career with a brief appearance in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall in 1977. Just two years later, she took on the lead role in Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979), where she portrayed Ellen Ripley, a character that would define her career and become one of the most iconic women in film history.

In the 1980s, Weaver continued to build her résumé with memorable roles in Ghostbusters (1984) and Aliens (1986). Her performance in Aliens earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress — a rare achievement for a sci-fi role at the time.

She followed that with back-to-back critical acclaim in Gorillas in the Mist (1988), portraying Dian Fossey, and Working Girl (1988). Both performances earned her Golden Globe wins, making her the first actress to win two Globes in different categories in the same year.

Her 1990s films include Alien³, Copycat (a psychological thriller that has seen a resurgence on Netflix), and Galaxy Quest, a sci-fi comedy that has become a cult favorite.

In the 2000s, Weaver starred in Holes, The Village, and later re-teamed with James Cameron for Avatar (2009), where she played the role of Dr. Grace Augustine. This film became the highest-grossing movie of all time, and she returned in a new role for Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022, using motion capture technology and CGI de-aging.

More recently, she has taken on projects like Master Gardener (2022) and The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023), proving her continued relevance and appeal to both older and younger audiences.

Sigourney Weaver TV Shows

Though primarily known for her film work, Weaver has also ventured into television with significant impact.

In 2012, she starred in the USA Network miniseries Political Animals, playing a character modeled loosely after Hillary Clinton. Her role earned her both Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.

In 2017, she appeared as a villain in Marvel’s The Defenders on Netflix, portraying Alexandra Reid, a powerful corporate leader with ancient ties.

In 2021, she narrated the documentary Secrets of the Whales for Disney+, bringing her rich, commanding voice to a beautifully filmed environmental project.

Most recently, Weaver played June Hart in the Amazon Prime series The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (2023), a critically acclaimed drama based on the bestselling novel.

Sigourney Weaver Movies on Netflix

As of 2025, several of Sigourney Weaver’s films are available for streaming on Netflix, depending on your region.

Notable titles include:

Copycat (1995) – A tense psychological thriller where she plays an agoraphobic criminal psychologist hunted by a serial killer.

The Ice Storm (1997) – A powerful family drama that earned Weaver a BAFTA Award.

A Monster Calls (2016) – A fantasy drama where she takes on the role of a strict but loving grandmother.

Alien Resurrection (1997) – Sometimes appears on Netflix’s sci-fi rotation depending on licensing.

Because licensing changes frequently, fans should use streaming guides like JustWatch to check regional availability.

Awards and Recognition

Sigourney Weaver has received numerous accolades over her career, including:

Three Academy Award nominations — for Aliens, Gorillas in the Mist, and Working Girl.

Two Golden Globe Awards — won in the same year (1988), a rare feat.

BAFTA Award — for Best Supporting Actress in The Ice Storm (1997).

Venice Film Festival Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement — awarded in 2024.

Her legacy includes not only awards but also trailblazing roles that have influenced generations of actresses.

Sigourney Weaver Young: The Early Icon

During her early years, Sigourney Weaver stood out for her unconventional beauty, intellect, and strong presence. Her height and confidence made her both unique and memorable in an industry that often sought conformity.

She was never typecast as a “Hollywood starlet.” Instead, she embraced roles that showcased independence, resilience, and intellect — from Alien to The Year of Living Dangerously to Gorillas in the Mist.

Her youth was not about glamor, but about breaking barriers, especially in action and science fiction genres.

Is Sigourney Weaver Married?

Yes, Sigourney Weaver has been married to Jim Simpson, a respected stage director, since 1984. They have one daughter, Charlotte Simpson, born in 1990. The couple co-founded The Flea Theater in New York City, an experimental venue known for nurturing emerging artists.

Their marriage has been remarkably stable by Hollywood standards, credited to mutual respect, shared values, and support for each other’s careers.

Sigourney Weaver Net Worth

As of 2025, Sigourney Weaver has an estimated net worth between $50 million and $60 million.

Her income sources include:

Lead roles in high-grossing franchises like Alien and Avatar.

Awards and box office bonuses.

Streaming royalties from platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Long-term theatrical and television work.

Weaver remains one of the most financially and critically successful actresses in her generation.

Cultural Legacy and Influence

Sigourney Weaver is more than just a film star—she’s a pioneer. She shattered gender stereotypes in action films, created unforgettable characters, and brought intelligence and authority to her roles.

She continues to work with top-tier directors like James Cameron and Ridley Scott, proving that age is no barrier when it comes to talent, vision, and passion.

Young actresses today often cite Weaver as an inspiration, especially in genres where female representation was once scarce. Her name is synonymous with strength, resilience, and class.

Final Thoughts

Sigourney Weaver’s cinematic legacy is rich, powerful, and still expanding. Whether you’re watching her in the early Alien series or discovering her more recent work in Avatar or The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, her screen presence is as commanding as ever.

She has left an indelible mark on Hollywood, and her body of work offers a masterclass in acting, character development, and trailblazing representation.

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