Editing Sigourney Weaver (section)

== Career ==
=== 1970s: Initial work and breakthrough ===
Weaver performed in the first production of the [[Stephen Sondheim]] musical ''[[The Frogs (musical)|The Frogs]]'' while at Yale in 1974, alongside [[Larry Blyden]] and fellow students [[Meryl Streep]] and Durang.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rothstein|first=Mervyn|date=July 22, 2020|title=Flashback to When Nathan Lane Resurrected Stephen Sondheim's The Frogs|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/flashback-to-when-nathan-lane-resurrected-stephen-sondheims-the-frogs-com-120649|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> She was briefly an understudy in a [[John Gielgud]] production of ''[[Captain Brassbound's Conversion]]'' thereafter.<ref name="INT2012" /> She also acted in numerous original plays by Durang.<ref name="INT2012" /> In 1974 she made her [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] debut in the [[William Somerset Maugham]] play ''[[The Constant Wife]]'' acting opposite [[Ingrid Bergman]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/the-constant-wife-shubert-theatre-vault-0000010470|title= The Constant Wife (Broadway, 1974)|website= Playbill|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> Before her on-screen breakthrough, she had appeared only in commercials, a few television roles (including an appearance in the soap opera ''[[Somerset (TV series)|Somerset]]''), and had a small part in the [[Woody Allen]]-directed romantic comedy-drama ''[[Annie Hall]]'' (1977).<ref name="InterviewMarch2015">{{cite journal|last=Curtis|first=Jamie Lee|author-link=Jamie Lee Curtis|date=March 2015|title=Sigourney Weaver profile|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/sigourney-weaver/#_|url-status=live|journal=Interview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226113122/http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/sigourney-weaver#_|archive-date=February 26, 2015|access-date=February 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lack|first=Hannah|date=May 13, 2020|title=From the Archive: Sigourney Weaver on Her Most Iconic Roles|url=https://www.anothermag.com/fashion-beauty/12511/from-the-archive-sigourney-weave-on-her-most-iconic-roles|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=Another Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Stuart|date=March 6, 2012|title=Sigourney Weaver set for 'Animals'|url=https://variety.com/2012/tv/news/sigourney-weaver-set-for-animals-1118051137/|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=Variety}}</ref> Her originally more substantial ''Annie Hall'' role was scaled back due to her commitment to the Durang play ''[[Titanic (play)|Titanic]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Shaw|first=Dorsey|date=September 28, 2010|title=Last Night on Late Night: Sigourney Weaver Turned Down Woody Allen To Hide a Hedgehog in Her Vagina|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/flashback-to-when-nathan-lane-resurrected-stephen-sondheims-the-frogs-com-120649|access-date=January 2, 2021|website=Vulture}}</ref> {{quote box
| quote = "One of the real pleasures of ''Alien'' is to watch the emergence of both Ellen Ripley as a character and Sigourney Weaver as a star."<!-- https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-alien/135280951/ -->
| source = - Ty Burr, ''The Boston Globe'', 29 October 2003
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}}

Weaver appeared two years later as Warrant Officer / Lieutenant [[Ellen Ripley|Ripley]] in [[Ridley Scott]]'s [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]] film ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]'' (1979), in a role initially designated to co-star British-born actress [[Veronica Cartwright]] until a late change in casting. Cartwright stated to World Entertainment News Network (WENN) that she was in England ready to start work on ''Alien'' when she discovered that she would be playing the navigator Lambert in the project, and Weaver had been given the lead role of [[Ellen Ripley]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/syspages/--headline--.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215121757/http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/syspages/--headline--.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2016 |title=Veronica Cartwright still puzzled about Alien snub |newspaper=[[Newshub]] |date=July 8, 2011 |via=www.newshub.co.nz}}</ref> Reviews of the film were initially mixed, but it has since been ranked among the greatest science fiction horror films and is Weaver's first film to be inducted into the [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Critic |first=Peter Howell Movie |date=2015-09-03 |title=Why Alien is one of the most influential movies ever made: Howell |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/why-alien-is-one-of-the-most-influential-movies-ever-made-howell/article_9ec668ca-a15f-5bb9-893a-10c36fdff6b3.html |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Librarian of Congress Adds 25 Films to National Film Registry |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-02-176/librarian-of-congress-adds-25-films-to-national-film-registry/2002-12-17/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref> Film critic [[Gene Siskel]] called Weaver "an actress who should become a major star,"<ref>[[Gene Siskel|Siskel, Gene]] (May 25, 1979). "Faint praise: Alien' succeeds in the scare department". ''[[Chicago Tribune]]''. Section 3, p. 2.</ref> and [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' said that Weaver "begins the action looking girlish and serious, but changes into the toughly self-reliant woman who defined her subsequent roles. Her career evolves before our very eyes."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=2019-03-01 |title=Alien review – Ridley Scott's masterpiece is lethally contemporary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/01/alien-review-ridley-scott-lethally-contemporary-masterpiece |access-date=2024-08-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Among other accolades, she was nominated for [[BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles|Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles]] at the [[33rd British Academy Film Awards]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Film in 1980 {{!}} BAFTA Awards |url=https://awards.bafta.org/award/1980/film/ |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref>

=== 1980s: Stardom and acclaim ===
[[File:Sigourney Weaver with her father Pat Weaver 1989.jpg|thumb|Weaver and her father [[Pat Weaver|Pat]] at the [[61st Academy Awards]] in 1989, where she received [[List of actors nominated for multiple Academy Awards in the same year|simultaneous nominations]] for [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] and [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]]|200x200px]]
Weaver appeared in an [[off-Broadway]] production of Durang's comedy ''[[Beyond Therapy]]'' in 1981, which was directed by then-fledgling director [[Jerry Zaks]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gussow |first=Mel |date=January 6, 1981 |title=Stage:'Beyond Therapy by Durang at Phoenix |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/06/theater/stage-beyond-therapy-by-durang-at-phoenix.html |access-date=August 4, 2017 |work=The New York Times |page=C11}}</ref> She next appeared opposite [[Mel Gibson]] as British Embassy officer Jill Bryant in the [[Peter Weir]] directed romantic drama ''[[The Year of Living Dangerously (film)|The Year of Living Dangerously]]'' (1982) which was released to critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/year_of_living_dangerously|title= The Year of Living Dangerously|website= Rotten Tomatoes|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> Roger Ebert opined, "Weaver has a less interesting role but is always an interesting actress".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-year-of-living-dangerously-1983|title= The Year of Living Dangerously|website= Rogerebert.com|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> In 1984 she returned to Broadway acting in the [[David Rabe]] play ''[[Hurlyburly]]'' acting opposite [[William Hurt]], [[Harvey Keitel]], [[Cynthia Nixon]], [[Jerry Stiller]], [[Ron Silver]], and [[Judith Ivey]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/hurlyburly-ethel-barrymore-theatre-vault-0000004315|title= Hurlyburly (Broadway, 1984)|website= Playbill|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> The production was directed by [[Mike Nichols]] with Weaver taking on the role of Darlene, a scatterbrained [[photojournalist]] who gets involved with two roommates.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/1984/07/18/arts/inside-the-ensemble-play-of-hurlyburly.html|title= INSIDE THE ENSEMBLE PLAY OF 'HURLYBURLY'|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= July 18, 1984|access-date= July 23, 2024|last1= Bennetts|first1= Leslie}}</ref> The role earned Weaver a nomination for the [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.tonyawards.com/nominees/year/1985/category/any/show/any/|title= 1985 Tony Award Nominations|website= American Theater Wing|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> That same year she took the female leading role Dana Barrett in the comedy films ''[[Ghostbusters]]'' (1984) and reprised her role in ''[[Ghostbusters II]]'' (1988) acting alongside [[Bill Murray]], [[Dan Aykroyd]] and [[Harold Ramis]].<ref name="InterviewMarch2015" />

Weaver reprised the role of Ellen Ripley seven years later in the sequel to ''Alien'', similarly titled ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'' (1986) directed by [[James Cameron]]. Critic Roger Ebert wrote "Weaver, who is onscreen almost all the time, comes through with a very strong, sympathetic performance: She's the thread that holds everything together."<ref>Ebert, Roger July 18, 1986 ''Sun Times'' [http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19860718/REVIEWS/607180301 ''Aliens'' review by Roger Ebert], suntimes.com; retrieved September 21, 2010.</ref> [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] said that, at that point, she was the only actress who could "open" an action movie.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |title=Alien movie review & film summary (1979) {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-alien-1979 |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=RogerEbert.com |language=en}}</ref> For ''Aliens'', she won the [[Saturn Award for Best Actress]] and earned her first nominations for the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]] and the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]].

In 1988, Weaver starred as primatologist [[Dian Fossey]] in the biographical drama ''[[Gorillas in the Mist]]''. The same year, she appeared opposite [[Harrison Ford]] in a supporting role as main antagonist Katharine Parker in the comedy-drama ''[[Working Girl]]''. Both these films earned Weaver [[Golden Globe Awards]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]] and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture|Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]] for her two roles that year. At [[46th Golden Globe Awards|the Golden Globes that year]], Weaver was one of three actresses to win in Best Actress, alongside [[Jodie Foster]] and [[Shirley MacLaine]], in [[Golden Globe Awards#Acting|a three-way tie]]. Weaver received [[List of actors nominated for multiple Academy Awards in the same year|simultaneous Academy Award nominations in 1988]]{{emdash}}Best Actress for ''Gorillas in the Mist'' and Best Supporting Actress for ''Working Girl''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/20-stars-whove-never-won-oscars-24228/ |title=20 Stars Who've Never Won Oscars |first1=Jordan |last1=Hoffman |date=February 25, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref> She was the first of four actresses (as of 2023) to have won two Golden Globes in the same year.

=== 1990s: Continued awards success ===
Weaver returned to the big screen with ''[[Alien 3]]'' (1992) and Ridley Scott's ''[[1492: Conquest of Paradise]]'' (1992) in which she played the role of Queen Isabella. In the early 1990s, Weaver appeared in several films including ''[[Dave (film)|Dave]]'' opposite [[Kevin Kline]] and [[Frank Langella]]. In 1994, she starred in Roman Polanski's drama ''[[Death and the Maiden (film)|Death and the Maiden]]'' as Paulina Escobar.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/death-and-the-maiden-1995 |title=Death And The Maiden Movie Review (1995) – Roger Ebert |first=Roger |last=Ebert |website=www.rogerebert.com}}</ref> She played the role of agoraphobic criminal psychologist Helen Hudson in the film ''[[Copycat (1995 film)|Copycat]]'' (1995).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/1995/film/reviews/dogged-weaver-smart-copycat-1200443431/ |title=Dogged Weaver, Smart 'Copycat' |first1=Todd |last1=McCarthy |date=October 16, 1995}}</ref> Weaver also concentrated on smaller and supporting roles such as ''[[Jeffrey (1995 film)|Jeffrey]]'' (1994) with Nathan Lane and Patrick Stewart.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Travers|first1=Peter|date=August 18, 1995|title=Jeffrey|magazine=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/jeffrey-246719/}}</ref>

In 1997, she appeared in [[Ang Lee]]'s ''[[The Ice Storm (film)|The Ice Storm]]'' as Janey Carver, a bored but stylish housewife trapped in a failed marriage. Weaver earned her second [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture]] nomination for the role and won a [[BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role]].<ref name="goldenglobes.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/sigourney-weaver |title=Sigourney Weaver |website=www.goldenglobes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://awards.bafta.org/keyword-search?keywords=Sigourney+Weaver+ |title=BAFTA Awards Search – BAFTA Awards |website=awards.bafta.org}}</ref> In 1999, she co-starred as Gwen DeMarco in the science fiction comedy ''[[Galaxy Quest]]''<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/comic-con/2017/07/25/sigourney-weaver-interview-alien-avatar-marvel-defenders-galaxy-quest/ |title=Sigourney Weaver Reflects on Her Pop Culture Legacy, From 'Alien' to 'Avatar' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> and as Alice Goodwin, a mother and school nurse whose negligence results in the accidental drowning of a friend's toddler in the drama ''[[A Map of the World (film)|A Map of the World]]'', earning her a third nomination for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama]] for the latter.<ref name="goldenglobes.com" /> She also received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] that same year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sigourney Weaver |url=https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/sigourney-weaver/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chad |date=2019-10-25 |title=Sigourney Weaver |url=https://walkoffame.com/sigourney-weaver/#:~:text=Address%207021%20Hollywood%20Blvd. |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Sigourney Weaver |url=http://www.walkoffame.com/sigourney-weaver |access-date=June 24, 2019 |website=Hollywood Walk of Fame}}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
[[File:Sigourney Weaver at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.JPG|left|thumb|Weaver at the 2008 [[Tribeca Festival|Tribeca Film Festival]]|203x203px]]
In 2001, Weaver appeared in the comedy ''[[Heartbreakers (2001 film)|Heartbreakers]]'' playing the lead role of a con-artist alongside [[Jennifer Love Hewitt]], [[Ray Liotta]], [[Gene Hackman]] and [[Anne Bancroft]]. She was included on [[Channel 4]]'s "[[100 Greatest (TV series)|100 Greatest Movie Stars]]" in 2003.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Muir |first=Hugh |date=May 6, 2003 |title=Pacino, godfather of movie stars |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2003/may/06/filmnews.arts |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> She appeared in several films throughout the decade including ''[[Holes (film)|Holes]]'' (2003), the [[M. Night Shyamalan]] horror film ''[[The Village (2004 film)|The Village]]'' (2004), ''[[Vantage Point (film)|Vantage Point]]'' (2008), and ''[[Baby Mama (film)|Baby Mama]]'' (2008).

In February 2002, she featured as a guest role in the ''[[Futurama]]'' episode "[[Love and Rocket]]", playing the female Planet Express Ship.<ref>{{cite web|last=Handlen|first=Zack|title=Futurama: "Love And Rocket"/"Less Than Hero"|url=https://www.avclub.com/futurama-love-and-rocket-less-than-hero-1798184117|website=TV Club|date=June 18, 2015 }}</ref> In 2006, she was the narrator for the American version of the BBC [[Emmy Award]]-winning documentary series ''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]''; the original British series version was narrated by [[David Attenborough]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Skipworth|first=Hunter|date=June 9, 2010|title=Attenborough victorious in the battle of narrators|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/7803409/Attenborough-victorious-in-the-battle-of-narrators.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/7803409/Attenborough-victorious-in-the-battle-of-narrators.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2007, Weaver returned to Rwanda for the BBC special ''Gorillas Revisited'', in which Weaver reunites with the Rwandan apes from the film ''Gorillas in the Mist'', some 20 years later.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kalina |first=Paul |date=April 26, 2007 |title=Gorillas she missed |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/gorillas-she-missed-20070426-ge4qpn.html |website=The Age}}</ref>

In 2008, Weaver was featured as the voice of the ship's computer in the Pixar and Disney release ''[[WALL-E|WALL•E]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sigourney Weaver voices a ship's computer in 'WALL-E'|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-ca-walle4-2008may04-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=May 4, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ide|first=Wendy|date=July 17, 2008|title=Sigourney Weaver in WALL E: the sci fi legend Ripley, believe it or not|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/sigourney-weaver-in-wall-e-the-sci-fi-legend-ripley-believe-it-or-not-6lxnk5qm5qd|via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}</ref> Also in 2008, she voiced a narrating role in the animated film ''[[The Tale of Despereaux (film)|The Tale of Despereaux]]'' (2008), based on the [[The Tale of Despereaux|novel]] by [[Kate DiCamillo]]. The film opens with Weaver as narrator recounting the story of the pastel-hued Kingdom of Dor.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|date=December 18, 2008|title=Matthew Broderick Provides the Hero's Voice in the Screen Version of Kate DiCamillo's Book|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/movies/19tale.html}}</ref> She also made a rare guest appearance on television playing herself in season 2 episode of the television series ''[[Eli Stone]]'' in the fall of 2008.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 15, 2008|title=Sigourney Weaver Puts Eli Stone on the Couch|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Sigourney-Weaver-Eli-26417.aspx|access-date=August 15, 2008|work=[[TV Guide]]}}</ref>

In 2009, Weaver starred as Mary Griffith in her first [[television film]] ''[[Prayers for Bobby]]'', for which she was nominated for an [[Emmy Award]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/sigourney-weaver |title=Sigourney Weaver Emmy Nominated |publisher=Emmys.com |access-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref> Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award. Also in 2009, she reunited with ''Aliens'' director James Cameron for his film ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]'', playing a major role as Dr. Grace Augustine, leader of the AVTR (avatar) program on the film's fictional moon Pandora. It became the [[List of highest-grossing films|highest-grossing film of all time]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/6761163/Sigourney-Weaver-interview-for-Avatar.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/starsandstories/6761163/Sigourney-Weaver-interview-for-Avatar.html |archive-date=January 10, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Sigourney Weaver interview for Avatar |first= David |last=Gritten |date=December 8, 2009 |via=www.telegraph.co.uk}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-04-05 |title=Avengers: Endgame tops Avatar to be highest grossing film {{!}} Film {{!}} The Guardian |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jul/21/avengers-endgame-tops-avatar-to-be-highest-grossing-film |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200405094735/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jul/21/avengers-endgame-tops-avatar-to-be-highest-grossing-film |archive-date=April 5, 2020 |last1=Yedroudj |first1=Latifa }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/07/14/sigourney-weaver-avatar-sequels/ |title=Sigourney Weaver Says There's a 'Very Good Reason' Why There Are 4 'Avatar' Sequels |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=July 4, 2017}}</ref>

=== 2010s: Television focus and Broadway ===
[[File:Sigourney Weaver by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|200x200px|Weaver at the 2016 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]
Weaver has hosted two episodes of the long-running NBC sketch show ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'': once on the 12th-season premiere in 1986, and again, on a season 35 episode in January 2010. In March 2010, she was cast for the lead role as Queen of the Vampires in [[Amy Heckerling]]'s ''[[Vamps (film)|Vamps]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36447/sigourney-weaver-queen-vamps-where-do-we-sign-up-be-bitten |title=Sigourney Weaver Queen of the Vamps! Where Do We Sign Up to be Bitten? |publisher=Dreadcentral.com |date=March 17, 2010 |access-date=July 12, 2010}}</ref> She was honored at the [[2010 Scream Awards]] earning The Heroine Award which honored her work in science fiction, horror and fantasy films.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000244/awards |title=Sigourney Weaver |website=IMDb |access-date=November 21, 2016}}</ref> In December 2013, Weaver was a guest narrator at [[Disney's Candlelight Processional]] at [[Walt Disney World]].<ref>[https://www.baltimoresun.com/os-disney-epcot-candlelight-processional-2013-20130715-story.html ''BaltimoreSun.Com'' Weaver Among Candleligth Narrators] retrieved 08-21-23</ref>

In 2012, she took a leading role as Elaine Barrish, the recently divorced [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] and former [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] and [[Governor of Illinois]] who fights various political opponents in the [[USA Network]] political miniseries ''[[Political Animals (miniseries)|Political Animals]]'' acting opposite [[Carla Gugino]], [[Sebastian Stan]], [[Ciaran Hinds]], and [[Ellen Burstyn]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.cnn.com/2012/07/13/showbiz/tv/political-animals-sigourney-weaver-premiere/index.html|title= Sigourney Weaver, cast, and producers on the private lives of 'Political Animals'|website= [[CNN]]|date= July 13, 2012|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.npr.org/2012/07/19/156980965/sigourney-weavers-stately-role-in-political-animals|title= Sigourney Weaver's Stately Role In 'Political Animals'|website= [[NPR]]|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> When talking about the character Weaver told ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', "She sort of has some superficial resemblance, obviously, to [[Hillary Clinton]] but really Elaine has made some decisions that distinguish her from Mrs. Clinton — who we all admire".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/political-animals-sigourney-weaver-348533/|title= 'Political Animals' Star Sigourney Weaver on Channeling Hillary Clinton (Video)|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date= July 12, 2012|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> Critic Brian Lowry of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' praised its ensemble, specifically Weaver citing her as "representing an inspired choice to portray Elaine, someone brimming with integrity, pain and grit all at once."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2012/tv/reviews/political-animals-1117947888/|title= Political Animals|website= Variety|date= July 12, 2012|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> For her performance she was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie|Primetime Emmy Award]], [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film|Golden Globe Award]], [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries|Critics' Choice Television Award]], and [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie|Screen Actors Guild Award]] for Outstanding Actress in a Miniseries or Movie.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2239947/awards/?ref_=tt_awd|title= Political Animals (TV Miniseries, 2012) - Awards|website= IMDB|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref>

In 2013, Weaver returned to [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] in the [[Christopher Durang]] play ''[[Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike]]'' (2013) alongside [[David Hyde Pierce]], [[Kristine Nielsen]], and [[Billy Magnussen]] at the [[John Golden Theatre]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/production/vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike-john-golden-theatre-vault-0000013999|title= Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Broadway, 2013)|website= Playbill|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> Charles Isherwood of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote "Ms. Weaver holds her own amid this skilled comic company".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/15/theater/reviews/vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike-at-john-golden-theater.html|title= Underneath Pajamas, Naked Depression|website= [[The New York Times]]|date= March 15, 2013|access-date= July 23, 2024|last1= Isherwood|first1= Charles}}</ref> Marilyn Stasio of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote, "Weaver, as funny as you’ve ever seen her".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2013/legit/reviews/legit-review-vanya-and-sonya-is-silly-smart-mashup-1200194855/|title= Legit Review: 'Vanya and Sonia' Is Silly, Smart Mashup|website= Variety|date= March 15, 2013|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref> The production went onto the [[Tony Award for Best Play]] at the [[67th Tony Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tonyawards.com/press/the-2014-tony-award-nominations/|title= The 2014 Tony Award Nominations|website= American Theater Wing|access-date= July 23, 2024}}</ref>

In 2014, Weaver reprised the role of Ripley for the first time in 17 years by voicing the character in the video game ''[[Alien: Isolation]]''. Her character has a voice cameo in the main story, and has a central role in the two [[Downloadable content|DLCs]] set during the events of ''Alien'', with most of the original cast voicing their respective characters.<ref name="isolation1">{{cite web |url=https://metro.co.uk/2014/07/09/alien-isolation-has-best-pre-order-bonus-ever-sigourney-weaver-and-cast-in-special-movie-missions-4792286 |title=Alien Isolation has best pre-order bonus ever: Sigourney Weaver and cast in special movie missions |date=July 9, 2014 |publisher=Metro}}</ref><ref name="isolation2">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jul/09/sigourney-weaver-to-appear-in-alien-isolation-video-game |title=Sigourney Weaver to appear in ''Alien Isolation'' video game |newspaper=The Guardian |date=July 9, 2014 |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> Weaver appeared in the film ''[[Exodus: Gods and Kings]]'' (2014) playing [[Tuya (queen)|Tuya]], directed by [[Ridley Scott]], alongside [[Christian Bale]], [[Joel Edgerton]] and [[Ben Kingsley]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Ridley Scott In 'Exodus' Talks With Ben Kingsley, John Turturro, Sigourney Weaver, Aaron Paul |url=https://deadline.com/2013/08/ridley-scott-in-exodus-talks-with-ben-kingsley-john-turturro-sigourney-weaver-aaron-paul-572676/ |access-date=September 16, 2013 |newspaper=Deadline |date=August 27, 2013}}</ref> In 2015, she co-starred in [[Neill Blomkamp]]'s science-fiction film ''[[Chappie (film)|Chappie]]'', and stated that she would agree to appear in an [[Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' sequel]], provided that Blomkamp directs.<ref>{{cite news |title=More on Neill Blomkamp's Alien; Sigourney Weaver Speaks Up |url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/89658/neill-blomkamps-alien-sigourney-weaver-speaks |access-date=February 13, 2015 |newspaper=Deadline}}</ref>

On February 18, 2015, it was officially announced that an ''Alien'' sequel would be made, with Blomkamp slated to direct.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/new-alien-movie-confirmed-at-fox-with-director-neill-blomkamp-1201436551 |title=New 'Alien' Movie Confirmed with Director Neill Blomkamp |first=Justin |last=Kroll |magazine=Variety |date=February 18, 2015 |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> On February 25, 2015, Weaver confirmed that she would reprise her role as Ellen Ripley in the new ''Alien'' film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lesnick |first=Silas |date=February 25, 2015 |title=Neill Blomkamp's 'Alien' Sequel Will Give Ripley 'A Proper Ending' |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/413935-neill-blomkamps-alien-sequel-will-give-ripley-a-proper-ending |access-date=February 25, 2015 |publisher=ComingSoon.net}}</ref> However, in a later response to a fan question on Twitter asking what the chances were of his ''Alien'' project actually happening, Blomkamp responded "slim".<ref>{{cite web |date=January 24, 2017 |title=Alien 5 director has eliminated all hope the sequel will happen |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/alien-5-alien-covenant-sigourney-weaver-ripley-release-date-is-it-happening-neill-blomkamp-ridley-a7542936.html |website=Independent.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |number=822685837418635264 |user=NeillBlomkamp |title=@jamesportella slim |first=Neill |last=Blomkamp |date=January 21, 2017}}</ref> In 2015 and 2017, Weaver played an American tourist in two episodes of the British television series ''[[Doc Martin]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ling |first=Thomas |date=9 November 2017 |title=Fans STILL can't believe Sigourney Weaver is in Doc Martin |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/doc-martin-sigourney-weaver-itv/ |access-date=26 January 2023 |work=Radio Times |location=}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

In 2016, Weaver voiced herself in a cameo in the Pixar film ''[[Finding Dory]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/801929/how-sigourney-weaver-became-a-finding-dory-scene-stealer|title=How Sigourney Weaver Became a Finding Dory Scene Stealer|first=Zach|last=Johnson|website=E! Online|date=October 19, 2016|access-date=April 6, 2022}}</ref> That same year, she received the [[Donostia Award]] at the [[San Sebastián International Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rolfe |first=Pamela |date=2016-09-21 |title=San Sebastian: Sigourney Weaver Accepts Donostia Award |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/san-sebastian-sigourney-weaver-accepts-931675/ |access-date=2024-08-30 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> Weaver played Alexandra, the leader of [[The Hand (comics)|the Hand]], in [[Netflix]] and [[Marvel Entertainment|Marvel]]'s miniseries [[The Defenders (miniseries)|''The Defenders'']], released in 2017. On June 7, 2019, Weaver confirmed that she would reprise her role as [[Dana Barrett]] in ''[[Ghostbusters: Afterlife]]'', which was released on November 19, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/ghostbusters-afterlife-release-date-summer-1234812430/ |title='Ghostbusters' Sequel Moves to Summer 2021 |website=Variety |first=Rebecca |last=Rubin |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/06/07/ghostbusters-sequel-2020-sigourney-weaver-dana-barrett/ |title=Sigourney Weaver Confirms Return for New Ghostbusters, Bill Murray Likely Involved |first=Kofi |last=Outlaw |date=June 7, 2019 |work=comicbook.com}}</ref> On September 23, 2019, Variety reported that Weaver and Kevin Kline are set to reunite again (after ''Dave'' and ''The Ice Storm'') for ''[[The Good House (film)|The Good House]]'', a drama from [[Steven Spielberg]]'s [[Amblin Partners]] and Universal Pictures.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=September 23, 2019|title=Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver to Star in Drama 'The Good House'|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/kevin-kline-sigournery-weaver-good-house-1203346751/|access-date=October 5, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref>

=== 2020s ===
[[File:Avatar The Way of Water Tokyo Press Conference James Cameron & Sigourney Weaver (52563503708).jpg|thumb|[[James Cameron]] with Weaver promoting ''[[Avatar: The Way of Water]]'' in 2022|200x200px]]
In September 2011, it was confirmed that Weaver would be returning to ''[[Avatar: The Way of Water]]'', with [[James Cameron]] stating that "no one ever dies in science fiction."<ref>{{cite news |date=September 18, 2011 |title=BBC News – Sigourney Weaver Avatar 2 role confirmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14964191 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref> ''The Way of Water'', alike to its predecessor, was released to critical and commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Dellatto |first1=Marisa |last2=Ray |first2=Siladitya  |date=January 22, 2023 |title='Avatar: The Way Of Water' Crosses $2 Billion In Box Office Sales After Six Weeks |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2023/01/22/avatar-the-way-of-water-crosses-2-billion-in-box-office-sales-after-six-weeks/ |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Principal photography for ''Avatar: The Way of Water'' and ''[[Avatar: Fire and Ash]]'' started simultaneously on September 25, 2017; Weaver portrayed Kiri, Jake and Neytiri's daughter, and reprised her role as Dr. Grace Augustine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-07 |title=Sigourney Weaver Plays Jake And Neytiri's Adopted Teenage Na'vi Daughter In Avatar 2 – World-Exclusive |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/sigourney-weaver-plays-jake-and-neytiris-teenage-navi-daughter-in-avatar-2-world-exclusive/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=Empire |language=en}}</ref><ref name="breathecast.com">{{cite news |date=September 16, 2014 |title=Avatar 2 Movie Spoilers, Release Date: Sigourney Weaver Alive, Will Play Crucial Role in New Trilogy |url=https://www.breathecast.com/articles/avatar-2-movie-spoilers-release-date-sigourney-weaver-is-alive-to-play-crucial-role-in-upcoming-trilogy-films-19750 |access-date=October 2, 2014 |newspaper=BreatheCast}}</ref><ref name="Weaver return">{{cite news |date=September 18, 2011 |title=BBC News&nbsp;– Sigourney Weaver ''Avatar 2'' role confirmed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-14964191 |access-date=September 18, 2011 |work=BBC News}}</ref> The film became [[List of highest-grossing films|the third-highest-grossing film of all time]], and it received a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Picture]].

In 2023, Weaver starred in and executive-produced the Australian miniseries ''[[The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2021-05-18 |title=Sigourney Weaver To Star In & EP 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart' Series Adaptation For Amazon; Made Up Stories, Amazon Studios & Endeavor Content To Produce |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/sigourney-weaver-the-lost-flowers-of-alice-hart-amazon-1234758827/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> Robert Lloyd of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote: "it’s a special treat to see Weaver, who does not overplay her assumed Australian accent, in such a substantial part; if the series seems a little long, one may at least appreciate the greater time it affords us to spend in her company."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-04 |title='The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart' review: In this moving drama, mysteries abound |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-08-04/the-lost-flowers-of-alice-hart-sigourney-weaver-review |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> At the [[13th AACTA Awards]], Weaver was nominated for [[AACTA Award for Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama|Best Lead Actress in a Television Drama]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Keast |first=Jackie |date=2023-12-08 |title='The New Boy', 'Talk to Me', 'The Newsreader', 'The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart' lead AACTA nominees |url=https://if.com.au/the-new-boy-talk-to-me-the-newsreader-the-lost-flowers-of-alice-hart-lead-aacta-nominees/ |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=IF Magazine |language=en-AU}}</ref> 

In 2024, the [[Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain]] awarded her with the [[International Goya Award]] for "her impressive career full of unforgettable films and inspiring us by creating complex and strong female characters."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sigourney Weaver recibe el Goya Internacional 2024 » Premios Goya 2024 |url=https://www.premiosgoya.com/38-edicion/articulos/ver/sigourney-weaver-recibe-el-goya-internacional-2024/ |access-date=2024-03-19 |website=www.premiosgoya.com}}</ref> She received the [[Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement]] at the [[81st Venice International Film Festival]], alongside [[Peter Weir]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-28 |title=Biennale Cinema 2024 {{!}} Sigourney Weaver Leone d'Oro alla carriera |url=https://www.labiennale.org/it/news/sigourney-weaver-leone-d%E2%80%99oro-alla-carriera |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=La Biennale di Venezia |language=it}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Biennale Cinema 2024 {{!}} Peter Weir Leone d'Oro alla carriera della Biennale Cinema 2024 |url=https://www.labiennale.org/it/news/peter-weir-leone-d%E2%80%99oro-alla-carriera-della-biennale-cinema-2024 |access-date=2024-07-24 |website=La Biennale di Venezia |language=it}}</ref> On May 7, 2024, Weaver returned to the stage reprising her role as Masha in the one night benefit performance of ''Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike'' alongside [[David Hyde Pierce]], [[Kristine Nielsen]], and [[Linda Lavin]] at the [[Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater]] in [[Lincoln Center]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.lct.org/shows/2024-gala-vanya-and-sonia-and-masha-and-spike/|title= ANNUAL BENEFIT - VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE|website= [[Lincoln Center Theater]]|access-date= July 31, 2024}}</ref>

Weaver made her [[West End (theatre)|West End]] debut as [[Prospero]] in the revival of the [[William Shakespeare]] play ''[[The Tempest]]'' directed by [[Jamie Lloyd (director)|Jamie Lloyd]] at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]] in 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://playbill.com/article/sigourney-weaver-tom-hiddleston-hayley-atwell-are-bringing-shakespeare-back-to-theatre-royal-drury-lane|title= Sigourney Weaver, Tom Hiddleston, Hayley Atwell Are Bringing Shakespeare Back to Theatre Royal Drury Lane|website= Playbill|access-date= July 31, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bamigboye |first=Baz |date=2024-07-30 |title=Breaking Baz: Sigourney Weaver Conjures Spells For West End Debut As Prospero, Joining Tom Hiddleston & Hayley Atwell In A Season Of Shakespeare Directed By 'Sunset Boulevard's' Jamie Lloyd At Theatre Royal Drury Lane This Winter |url=https://deadline.com/2024/07/sigourney-weaver-west-end-tempest-1236026153/ |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>