Susan Alexandra Weaver, as she started out as was born on 8 October 1949 in New York City. Her father, TV producer Sylvester L. Weaver Jr. and mother Elizabeth Inglis (a British actress) had one son, Trajan. Sigourney grew up in a wealthy household taken care of by nannies and maids. In 1961, Sigourney started attending the Brearly Girls Academy, but her mother moved her to another New York private school, Chapin. Sigourney's height (already 5 feet 10 inches) made her the subject of much teasing by classmates, and she eventually adopted the role of class clown in order to win them round.

By the age of 13, Sigourney and her family moved to San Francisco briefly and then on to Connecticut where she became a student in the Ethel Walker School. It was later that year that Susan changed her name to 'Sigourney', after a character called 'Sigourney Howard' in Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby'. Having already starred in a school drama production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', she decided that acting was for her. In the summer of 1965, she worked with a stock troupe, being cast in the plays 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'You Can't Take It With You' (though she didn't star in the latter because she was taller than the lead actor!) After graduating from school in 1967 Sigourney spent some months in a kibbutz in Israel.

In 1969, Sigourney became a student of English Literature in Stanford University, where she also participated in school plays. After completing her studies she applied to Yale School of Drama in New York where she won a place. Unfortunately, her professors constantly cast her as prostitutes and old women because of her height. A classmate at the time was Meryl Streep. After completing University, Sigourney attempted to launch her theatrical career, but her height once more became a hinderance. She persevered however and finally managed to win some roles including 'Titanic'(1975) and 'Gemini' (1976).

During the mid-seventies, she appeared in several TV spots and in 1977 was cast in the role Shelley Duvall finally played in Annie Hall (1977); a role she had to reject due to prior stage commitments. Then followed Madman (1978) and of course, Alien (1979). The tough, uncompromising Ripley character made her an overnight star and even brought her a British Award Nomination. The eighties (80's) brought "Eyewitness" and "The Year of Living Dangerously." The latter was a great Australian success that even won an Oscar and brought Sigourney and co-star Mel Gibson to Cannes '83. This same year Sigourney met Jim Simpson. Their romance blossomed and they were married on 1 October 1984. Sigourney continued to star in some big movie hits such as Ghostbusters (1984) and Aliens (1986) The latter was a massive success and Sigourney was nominated for both a Golden Globe and an Oscar for her role. She was also named 'Star of the Year'.

Sigourney's career climbed to new heights after recieving Academy Award nominations, in both Leading and Supporting Actress categories, for her intense portrayal of Diane Fossey in "Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Diane Fossey" (1988) and for her performance in "Working Girl" (1988) She ended up losing in both, but was compensated by winning both Golden Globes.

1989 brought a retirement from public life for a short time when Sigouney discovered she was pregnant; her daughter Charlotte was born on 13 April 1990. Sigourney burst back into the theatres in 1992 returning to play a now shavenheaded Ripley in "Alien 3." this was followed by comedy "Dave" in 1993 alongside co-star Kevin Kline. In 1996, Sigourney returned to the stage in 'Sex and Longing' followed by a series of movies and another outing as Ripley in "Alien Resurrection" (1997.) She continues, despite her height, to gain both fans and roles.

Works Cited and Consulted

IMBD
Leave it to Weaver : An interview
The Movie Times