Top Ten Sigourney Weaver Roles/Performances
Though recently has provided cameos in films like Baby’s Mama and Be Kind Rewind, Weaver’s brilliant capacity for emoting the truth of the character’s she plays without over acting is a rare talent. She is my personal favorite actress and with good reason. She has proved that women could be action stars, giving dramatic performances, and still retain their femininity without skipping a beat. Her role as Ellen Ripley broke threw barriers and opened doors to other actresses in the industry. The Buffy’s, Selene’s, and Lara Croft’s owe their existence to Sigourney Weaver (Oh and maybe Ridley Scott and James Cameron). Her journey in film does not limit itself action or drama. Her roles in Heartbreakers and Galaxy Quest exuded her physical beauty while also allowing her to display her brilliance in comedy. Scheduled for a December release, she stars in James Cameron’s newest creation “Avatar” where hopefully other filmmakers will see exactly how brilliant this woman is and start casting her in movies worth watching again. She is the only actress that I will see a movie just based on the fact that her name is on the casting list.| 10. Heartbreakers "Angela Nardino" This may not be the most obvious or popular choice of the many brilliant films and roles that Sigourney Weaver is known for, but I loved the comedy of the role, and that she still was sexy even though aging, and remained sexy without trying to be younger than she was. It was a very funny movie that caught me largely by surprise. |  |
| 9. The Ice Storm "Janey Carver" I'm not as familiar with this film as most of her others. I've only seen it once, but really recall her role standing out. She takes part as one of the people that as a result of the Ice Storm takes place in situations that include adultery, sexual experimentation, drug use and petty crimes. It was a subtle, yet strong performance. |  |
| 8. Avatar "Dr. Grace Augustine" Avatar is the subject of much debate in the movie bloggers world, but I adore this film. Weaver was a huge reason it worked for me and her role as Grace was a major reason it succeeded. Her character, her voice, and her movement was remarkably expressive and unique. Grounding this massive film was the talents of Sigourney Weaver. Her face was a welcome each time she was on screen. With subtle strength she played perfectly against Sully’s over enthusiastic childlike behavior. Her character went by the name of Grace, and it suited her role with perfect reflection. |  |
| 7. Galaxy Quest "Gwen DeMarco" It's no secret I love this movie. It is by far one of the best films I've seen playfully jest at it's genre, but also pay it homage. Weaver plays the stereotypical female in a science fiction role (Ironic when considering she was the first real heroine ever as Ripley in the genre) and is certainly lovely, but also nails the role being hilarious throughout. |  |
| 6. Ghostbusters "Dana Barrett" I just watched Ghostbusters over the weekend and not only found a renewed love for the wonderful film, but appreciation for Weaver's role of Dana in the film. She begins the film as a normal woman and then becomes possessed by evil, and we, well, believe it! |  |
| 5. Copycat "Helen Hudson" Weaver plays Helen Hudson, a psychiatrist that’s focus is on serial murders becomes attacked and almost murdered by a killer obsessed with her. Daryll Lee Cullum. A new case is brought before her, though her agoraphobia keeps her in her house. |  |
| 4. Working Girl "Katharine Parker" With huge acting powerhouses in this film, Sigourney Weaver’s performance is the one that actually stood out. Backed by a smart screenplay with excellent character development it left an acting playground for the main trio of actors. Katherine was so cold, calculating and completely sure of herself, but also charismatic and engaging, that only someone like Sigourney Weaver could pull it off. I can’t speak highly enough of her performance in this film. |  |
| 3. Alien "Ellen Ripley" You will see that Alien is chosen for the "3" spot, but even though the character is the same, she changes, along with Weavers performance in each film. Ellen Ripley is the inspiration from which so many heroines have since stemmed. I don’t believe any have succeed in coming close to having achieved what she did with this character, though many have tried. What was so extraordinary about Ripley was the fact that she wasn’t necessarily equipped to handle the battles she eventually had to overcome. She did not persevere by muscles, super strength, or overt intelligence, she is resolved by sheer will and inner strength. |  |
| 2. Gorillas In The Mist "Dian Fossey" Dian Fossey is inspired by anthropologist Louis Leakey to devote her life to the study of primates. Travelling into deepest Africa, Fossey becomes fascinated with the lives and habits of the rare mountain gorillas of the Rwandan jungle. She dedicates herself to saving the African Mountain gorilla from illegal poaching and likely extinction. |  |
| 1. Aliens "Ripley" When faced with her nightmares a second time she makes the actual choice to face her demons (who happen to be actual demons) but she does this knowing what the ultimate result with likely be. Her strength and her determination to persist is what makes her so palpable, yet so unique. By the third and fourth editions the films lose some of their integrity, but Ripley does not. Her character remains steadfast in who she was from the first scene she was in. Her passion, resolve, and complexity make her one of my personal heroes, and by far the greatest female character ever created. |  |
Awesome list! I’m quite enamored of Weaver myself, as she steals the screen in every scene she’s in. I agree with most of these (though I haven’t a couple of the films) and of course I’m glad to see the Aliens version of Ripley at the number one spot, as well as such high praise for Galaxy Quest and Working Girl!
Personally I’d have included her turn as Lenny in The TV Set. It’s an ok movie but she shines as a no-nonsense TV exec in a role originally written for a man.
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One thing I’ve fond such a great respect for is her ability to play dramatic and comedic roles so well.
I’ve yet to see The TV Set, but heard great things. I need to get on that!
I’m Just wondering why Imaginary Hero’s is not one of the top 10 for Sigourney? It was her performance that made the movie and had me emotional throughout, this had me go back and view the film several times since and I’m one of those viewer who ‘usually’ cant stand to watch anything more than twice.
As you know Heather, I’m a big fan of Sigourney Weaver. This is a great list and Aliens is definitely her finest performance. I think she’s great in comedic roles too – love her performance in Working Girl and Galaxy Quest. I’m also one of Copycat’s few fans, nice to see it here.
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Galaxy Quest is one of those movies that fully surprised me…..Siggy was great, Shalooby was great, what’s-his-name from Moon was great (crewman 6….real name? Guy…HA!)
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I’m glad someone else has love for Copycat. I assumed that and Avatar were going to be the two roles that people would debate on here, but I loved her in each of them.
Yeah, I think Copycat gets unfairly criticised for being Silence of the Lambs-lite…but I think it’s a good film. Although it is sometimes difficult to see Harry Connick Jr. in a bad guy role – however, I first saw the film (when I was a teenager) and didn’t even known who Connick Jr. was.
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One of the first memorable female movie star who played strong lead women characters such as Ripley in big blockbuster movies. It’s too bad Hollywood has regressed since then.
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It is a shame that the last twenty years haven’t given many strong women leads. Even looking into the action genre all these women had some emotional hang ups or super powers or something to make them strong. Ripley was just a normal woman and that’s what makes me love her so much.
Is it me or is Sigourney Weaver drastically underrated? Not only is she a terrific actress, but she’s interesting, graceful, and wonderful — and the only (ONLY) good thing about Avatar.
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Right on Ruben. 100% my favorite actress of all time. Everything she does, she does so well.
We’re going to have this argument again Ruben? But I will say she is underrated and though we wasn’t the only good thing she was the BEST thing about it
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Move #9 to #2, #2 to #9, replace #5 with the Axiom’s Computer from WALL-E and you got yourself a list!
I actually thought about the computer in Wall-E, and it just missed making the list.
Agreed, she’s one of those rare actors who can emote without resorting to overacting. And her role as Ellen Ripley, especially the character transformation from Alien to Aliens, might have been the inspiration for Sarah Connor’s character & similar transformation from Terminator to Terminator II – from a demure girl to a full-fledged action woman. By the way, I belong to the group which thinks Alien was a far superior film vis-a-vis Aliens, and consequently in my list her role in the Ridley Scott masterpiece would have have taken the pole position.
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You nailed it right on the head. I’m more partial to Aliens for sure, but her transformation from the two films is incredible. I’m glad people didn’t feel like arguing Ripley being on here twice, but they are certainly two very different roles, and her evolution of the character is incredible, something a lessor actor would have never been able to pull off.
And you are correct, Linda Hamilton did the same thing in T2. My second favorite female role of all time.
A consummate screen and stage actress….nicely done here. I loved her in The TV Set and she was terrific in Snow Cake (dissed of Oscar consideration)!!! Glad you included Ice Storm here….
Snow Cake?
I must see this. M. Carter may have written something about it.
Heather, you must watch it! It got panned, but I loved it. Watch the trailer and you will want to see it. She goes completely against type here and gives a sensational performance.
I need to have a Sigourney haven’tseen movieathon one sunday!
I can’t say that I’ve seen Gorillas, as well as a couple others on here, so her Galaxy Quest role would be top 5 for me.
Great list, and yeah, definitely changed female roles that came after her.
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Galaxy Quest is such a great film, so smart and funny. It makes my heart all warm.
Some great suggestions. I can’t say I’m a fan of Copycat or Avatar and she was the best thing about the very average Working Girl.
A couple of suggestions for one you missed out. Paulina Escobar in Roman Polanski’s Death and the Maiden and Jill Bryant in The Year of Living Dangerously.
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Haven’t seen Death And The Maiden and have had it highly recommended to me!
Crap, I know something was missing. Death & the Maiden YES. The movie (or the play for that matter) is not for all but what Siggy does she does excellently, I always wonder why the film wasn’t a bigger hit with those “art house” cinephiles.
Probably because it was directed by Roman Polanski who is Persona non grata in Hollywood. I had great reviews here in the UK and in the rest of Europe. I understand it grossed more in France than America.
True enough. Polanski gets so much negative press around here. I’m usually 50/50 on his work. Sometimes it feels genius and sometimes dull.
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Oh, yeah, Death and the Maiden. That was awesome! That is two you need to watch Heather. Get on it!!!
Think Weaver is completely underrated too. When you look at just some of the movies listed there, it’s a damn fine portfolio. Like how you put “copycat” in the top 5 too, that movie scared the crap out of me, being the chicken that I am.
It was such a smart and quiet movie that packed a lot of punch when it needed to. I thoroughly liked it. And who knew Harry Connick Jr. could be so menacing?!?
So glad Heartbreakers made the list, she made Jennifer Love Hewitt (aka the chicken with big breasts) seem like an okay actor. That movie is very fun.
Hahahaha………….normally I can’t stand LOVE either, but she was mildly charming in that movie, which I surprisingly enjoyed, in particularly Weavers performance.
I have not seen all of the Weaver performance here. I do have “Working Girl” on the DVR right now. I think I’ll see that next.
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Branden, we don’t always agree but I surmise you may find yourself enjoying Working GIrl.
Working Girl is an excellent one too. Mike Nichols is talented and it’s actual a smart twist on the usual “romantic comedies” of the eighties…and no one plays a bitch like Sigourney.
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She’s so strong without overdoing it. I believe I could run into Katharine on the street, as though she is in fact a real person wandering around. That’s just damn talented.
Great list but you can’t do Ripley twice… WTFrack, dude? Did you only have 9… haha.
I want to have a fivesome with Dana Barret, Janey Carver, Angelo Nadino and Gwen DeMarco… and when I wear them all out… one more go around with good ol’ Gwen!
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All right Kai, I always felt that her role of Ripley in ALIENS was very different from her role as Ripley in ALIEN. She changed so much, and her what her character went threw again in such a different way made it even a more impressive performance. I thought as such they deserved different nominations.
It was awesome to see Weaver in Avatar as an ass-kicker.
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When I first started reading your list I saw #9 and thought boy that is pretty low on the list. After continuing to read it I hadn’t realized how many movies Ms. Weaver has been in that she was so good in. Not necessarily that they were good movies. Great job again Heather!
Thanks George. I think that’s what it boils down to, her being damn good no matter what.
I adore Sigourney Weaver – Great at portraying a strong, likeable character. She really owns the screen, like a modern day Bette Davis.
Numbers 5, 3 and 1 stand out for me.
Love that you compared her to Bette Davis!
Great list… I’d like to wedge “Chaffee Bicknell” from “Baby Mama” in there if I may
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She was pretty funny in that one as well! Smaller role but good one!
Fantastic list! Sigourney has aged so incredibly well and is one of the few exceptions to the rule in Hollywood that great roles for women over a certain age are impossible to come by. Drama, comedy, action: she is a force to be reckoned with.
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Just watched Heartbreakers with the other half. Haven’t seen it for a good few years. Weaver’s excellent in it. She doesn’t get enough credit for her comedy stuff.
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she is great on alien
You really should see Sigourney in Snow White – a tale of terror!!!! She’s sooo Great!!!