Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sigourney Weaver

Discover the career path of Sigourney Weaver, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Sigourney Weaver is a celebrated American actress known for her impactful performances in both blockbuster films and independent productions. Rising to prominence in the late 1970s, she has been lauded for her groundbreaking portrayal of strong, action-oriented female characters. Weaver's career has been recognized with numerous awards, including a BAFTA, two Golden Globes, and a Grammy, and she has received nominations for three Academy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, demonstrating her versatility and significant contributions to the entertainment industry.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1986: Hosting Saturday Night Live

In 1986, Sigourney Weaver hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live, marking the 12th-season premiere.

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1996: Founding The Flea Theater

In 1996, Sigourney Weaver and her husband, Jim Simpson, founded The Flea Theater in Manhattan.

February 2002: Guest role in Futurama's "Love and Rocket"

In February 2002, Sigourney Weaver made a guest appearance in the Futurama episode "Love and Rocket", where she voiced the female Planet Express Ship.

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2002: Appearance in The Guys

In 2002, Sigourney Weaver starred in Jim Simpson's film adaptation of the play The Guys, where her husband and daughter also appeared.

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October 2006: Advocating against deep-sea trawling at the UN

In October 2006, Sigourney Weaver gave a news conference at the start of a United Nations General Assembly policy deliberation. She outlined the threat to ocean habitats posed by deep-sea trawling.

2006: Narrator for Planet Earth

In 2006, Sigourney Weaver narrated the American version of the BBC documentary series Planet Earth, which won an Emmy Award. The original British version was narrated by David Attenborough.

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2007: Return to Rwanda for Gorillas Revisited

In 2007, Sigourney Weaver revisited Rwanda for the BBC special Gorillas Revisited. In this special, Weaver reunited with the Rwandan apes from the film Gorillas in the Mist, approximately 20 years later.

April 8, 2008: Hosting Trickle Up Program Gala

On April 8, 2008, Sigourney Weaver hosted the annual gala of the Trickle Up Program, a non-profit organization focusing on those in extreme poverty, mainly women and disabled people, in the Rainbow Room.

2008: Voice roles in WALL-E and The Tale of Despereaux, and Eli Stone appearance

In 2008, Sigourney Weaver voiced the ship's computer in the Pixar and Disney film WALL-E. Also in 2008, she narrated the animated film The Tale of Despereaux, based on the novel by Kate DiCamillo. She also made a guest appearance playing herself in an episode of the television series Eli Stone in the fall of 2008.

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2009: Starring in Prayers for Bobby and Avatar

In 2009, Sigourney Weaver starred as Mary Griffith in the television film Prayers for Bobby, receiving nominations for an Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Also in 2009, she played Dr. Grace Augustine in James Cameron's Avatar, which became the highest-grossing film of all time.

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January 2010: Hosting Saturday Night Live Again

In January 2010, Sigourney Weaver hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live again, during its 35th season.

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March 2010: Cast as Queen of the Vampires in Vamps

In March 2010, Sigourney Weaver was cast in the lead role as the Queen of the Vampires in Amy Heckerling's film Vamps.

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September 2011: Confirmed return to Avatar

In September 2011, it was confirmed that Sigourney Weaver would be returning to Avatar: The Way of Water.

2012: Leading Role in Political Animals

In 2012, Sigourney Weaver starred as Elaine Barrish in the USA Network political miniseries Political Animals, receiving nominations for several awards for her performance.

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December 2013: Guest Narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional

In December 2013, Sigourney Weaver was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.

2013: Return to Broadway in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

In 2013, Sigourney Weaver returned to Broadway in the Christopher Durang play Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the John Golden Theatre, which went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play.

2014: Reprising Ripley in Alien: Isolation and appearance in Exodus: Gods and Kings

In 2014, Sigourney Weaver reprised her role as Ripley in the video game Alien: Isolation. Also in 2014, she appeared in the film Exodus: Gods and Kings, playing Tuya.

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February 18, 2015: Alien sequel announcement

On February 18, 2015, it was officially announced that an Alien sequel would be made, with Neill Blomkamp slated to direct.

February 25, 2015: Weaver confirms return as Ripley

On February 25, 2015, Sigourney Weaver confirmed that she would reprise her role as Ellen Ripley in the new Alien film.

2015: Co-starring in Chappie and potential Alien sequel

In 2015, Sigourney Weaver co-starred in Neill Blomkamp's science-fiction film Chappie. During this time, she expressed her willingness to appear in an Alien sequel if directed by Blomkamp.

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2016: Cameo in Finding Dory and Donostia Award

In 2016, Sigourney Weaver voiced herself in a cameo appearance in the Pixar film Finding Dory. That same year, she received the Donostia Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.

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September 25, 2017: Filming for Avatar sequels begins

On September 25, 2017, principal photography for Avatar: The Way of Water and Avatar: Fire and Ash started simultaneously. Sigourney Weaver portrayed Kiri, Jake and Neytiri's daughter, and reprised her role as Dr. Grace Augustine.

2017: Role in The Defenders

In 2017, Sigourney Weaver played Alexandra, the leader of the Hand, in the Netflix and Marvel miniseries The Defenders.

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2017: Guest role in Doc Martin

In 2017, Sigourney Weaver played an American tourist in an episode of the British television series Doc Martin.

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June 7, 2019: Return as Dana Barrett in Ghostbusters: Afterlife

On June 7, 2019, Sigourney Weaver confirmed that she would reprise her role as Dana Barrett in Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which was later released on November 19, 2021.

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September 23, 2019: Reunion with Kevin Kline for The Good House

On September 23, 2019, it was reported that Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline would reunite for The Good House, a drama from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Partners and Universal Pictures.

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November 19, 2021: Release of Ghostbusters: Afterlife

On November 19, 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife was released, where Sigourney Weaver reprised her role as Dana Barrett.

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2023: Starring in The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart

In 2023, Sigourney Weaver starred in and executive-produced the Australian miniseries The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart, receiving critical acclaim.

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May 7, 2024: Reprising Masha in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike

On May 7, 2024, Sigourney Weaver reprised her role as Masha in a one-night benefit performance of Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in Lincoln Center.