For over five decades, Sigourney Weaver has been redefining what an action movie star is in Hollywood. From her era-defining role as Ellen Ripley in Alien to Hollywood’s most stylish villain, Katharine Parker in Working Girl and now as Grace Augustine in the Avatar series, Sigourney doesn’t let up.
And now with rumours swirling that she may be returning to the Alien franchise, we’re looking back at her most iconic movie roles.
Who is Sigourney Weaver?
New York City born and raised, Signoury is the daughter of English actress Elizabeth Inglis and television executive Pat Weaver.
Fun fact, her birth name isn’t actually Sigourney, it’s Susan Alexander. However, she adopted the name from a minor character in The Great Gatsby.
Her acting debut came with a small role in Annie Hall, but her breakout role was as Ellen Ripley in the science-fiction horror flick Alien. The role of Ellen was originally written as a man. However, director Ridley Scott decided to gender swap the character early in production.
Her performance in the film’s sequel earned Sigourney Weaver her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. It was a landmark decision, as before that, horror and science fiction films didn’t tend to get much recognition from the Academy.
Ellen Ripley is considered to be one of the greatest action hero roles of all time. Furthermore, it’s one of the first action heroes who happens to be a woman. It was a trailblazer moment for women in Hollywood.
BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT, FRANCE – DECEMBER 05: Sigourney Weaver attends the “Avatar: Fire And Ash” European Premiere on December 05, 2025 in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. (Photo by Pierre Suu/WireImage)
Has Sigourney Weaver won any movie awards?
As mentioned, Sigourney Weaver did receive an Oscar nomination for Best Actress for her performance in Aliens. She has also received Academy Award nominations for her roles in Gorillas in the Mist (Best Actress) and Working Girl (Best Supporting Actress).
She has received a Golden Globe for her work in Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl. She’s also received a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Earth.
Is Sigourney Weaver returning for another appearance in the Alien film franchise?
When the latest Alien series was released, Alien: Earth, a streaming series and prequel to the first Alien film, fans immediately started speculating whether a young Ellen Ripley might appear.
Earlier this year, we spoke with Essie Davis, who starred in the show. She spoke of her admiration for Sigourney Weaver:
“Sigourney Weaver as a freaking kickass female protagonist,” said Essie. “That first film is so subtle and clever and grungy. And the relationships are so interesting between the crew members on that ship.”
Read our full interview with Essie here.
During the promotional tour for Avatar: Fire & Ash, in which she stars alongside Australian actor Sam Worthington and Kate Winslet, she made some comments about a potential return to Alien.
“You know, we’re just taking it one step at a time,” she said to Variety. “It is very interesting. I hope we do it, because I think it will be wonderful. I think the fans will enjoy it, but it’s very early days.”
There is reportedly a secret 50-page draft script written by Walter Hill, a producer of the franchise, which sees Ellen imprisoned for her actions in saving mankind from the alien creatures.
“I said I have never felt the need. I was always like, ‘Let her rest, let her recover.’ But what Walter has written seems so true to me as very much about the society that would incarcerate someone who has tried to help mankind,” she shared at Comic Con.
“She’s a problem to them, so she’s sort of tucked away. Anyway, I think it’s a very strong first 50 pages, and I’m thinking about working with Walter to see what the rest of the story would be.”
Australian actor Sam Worthington and US actress Sigourney Weaver pose during a photocall for the European premiere of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” at the Seine Musicale concert hall in Boulogne-Billancourt, on the outskirts of Paris on December 5, 2025. (Photo by Bertrand GUAY / AFP via Getty Images)
Does Sigourney Weaver have a partner?
Yes! Sigourney Weaver has been married to Jim Simpson, a theatre director, since October 1, 1984.
Together, the couple have one child, Shar Simpson, who was born in 1990. Shar identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. They are an author and an academic. As of 2024, they work as an adjunct assistant professor at the Digital Storytelling Lab at Columbia University School of the Arts.
Sigourney and Jim live together in New York, where they co-founded a theatre company called The Flea Theater in 1996.
BERLIN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 20: Sigourney Weaver (C) with husband Jim Simpson and daughter Charlotte Simpson arrive for the opening ceremony and “My Salinger Year” premiere during the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin at Berlinale Palace on February 20, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
What are Sigourney Weaver’s most iconic film roles?
With so many on her roster thanks to her five-decade-long career (that is still going strong), it can be hard to wrap up her most iconic movie roles. However, these are the top in our opinion.
American actresses Sigourney Weaver and Carrie Henn on the set of Aliens, written and directed by Canadian James Cameron. (Photo by Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Alien (1979), Aliens (1986), Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection
Ellen Ripley
The role that changed everything, for her, and for women in sci-fi. Ripley is tough, grounded, relatable and razor-sharp. Sigourney Weaver’s Oscar-nominated performance in Aliens cemented her as a pop-culture icon and created the template for the modern action heroine.
Where to watch:
The Alien franchise is available to stream on Disney+. Sign up for a plan here.
Sigourney Weaver looks in shock in a scene from the film ‘Ghostbusters’, 1984. (Photo by Columbia Pictures/Getty Images)
Ghostbusters (1984) & Ghostbusters II (1989)
Dana Barrett
As the elegant, witty Dana, who unfortunately keeps getting possessed by supernatural forces, Sigourney stole scenes from a cast of heavyweight comedians. Her dry humour and chemistry with Bill Murray made her a fan favourite.
Where to watch:
Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II are available to stream on BINGE or Stan.
Actress Sigourney Weaver on the set of the film Gorillas in the Mist, directed by Michael Apted. (Photo by Murray Close/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
Dian Fossey
In this powerful biographical drama, Sigourney delivered one of her most acclaimed performances, earning an Academy Award nomination. Her portrayal of the passionate primatologist was fierce, emotional and deeply human.
Where to watch:
Gorillas in the Mist is available to rent on Apple TV.
American actors Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver on the set of Working girl directed by German-born American Mike Nichols. (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)
Working Girl (1988)
Katharine Parker
As Hollywood’s most stylish villain, Sigourney was gloriously formidable. Her role as the manipulative boss earned her another Oscar nomination, this time for Best Supporting Actress, and gave the world one of the best power-suit performances of the ’80s.
Where to watch:
Working Girl is available to stream on Disney+. Sign up for a plan here.
Working Girl is available to rent from Apple TV.
Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) in 20th Century Studios’ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Avatar (2009) & Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)
Grace Augustine
James Cameron tapped Sigourney again, this time to play the no-nonsense, chain-smoking xenobotanist Dr Grace Augustine.
She later returned in an entirely new role for the sequel, showing her range in the world’s biggest blockbuster franchise.
Where to watch:
The Avatar film franchise is available to stream on Disney+. Sign up for a plan here.
The latest film in the franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is screening in cinemas across Australia from 18 December 2025. Afterwards, it’s set to be available on Disney+.
Sigourney Weaver during A Map Of The World Premiere – New York at Loews Village Cinema in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by James Devaney/WireImage)
A Map of the World (1999)
Ramona
A dramatic turn that earned her another Golden Globe nomination, proving she can anchor intimate, character-driven stories just as powerfully as big-budget epics.
Where to watch:
A Map of the World is available on Prime Video. You can start a 30-day free trial now.
Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline laying in bed together in a scene from the film ‘The Ice Storm’, 1997. (Photo by Fox Searchlight Pictures/Getty Images)
The Ice Storm (1997)
Alice
In Ang Lee’s acclaimed drama, Sigourney plays an intelligent, enigmatic woman caught in the emotional chill of 1970s suburbia. The performance earned her a BAFTA nomination and showcased a quieter, more nuanced side of her work.
Where to watch:
The Ice Storm is available to stream on SBS On Demand.
It is also available to rent from Apple TV.
American actress Sigourney Weaver as actress Gwen DeMarco, herself in costume as space communications officer Tawny Madison in a publicity still for the film ‘Galaxy Quest’, 1999. (Photo by Murray Close/Getty Images)
Galaxy Quest (1999)
Gwen DeMarco
A pitch-perfect comedy turn. Sigourney spoofs her own sci-fi legacy as the blonde, jumpsuit-wearing space babe who is far more capable than the script gives her credit for. Over time, Galaxy Quest has become a cult classic, and so has her performance.
Where to watch:
Galaxy Quest is available to stream on BINGE.
It is also available to rent from Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Orlaith Costello
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