At 75, Sigourney Weaver Finally Reveals the Truth About ‘Alien’ | HO!!!!

LOS ANGELES, CA — Sigourney Weaver, now 75, is looking back on a career that not only changed the face of science fiction, but also challenged Hollywood’s deepest prejudices. Decades after her iconic performance as Ellen Ripley in the “Alien” franchise, Weaver is speaking candidly for the first time about the battles, betrayals, and breakthroughs that shaped her journey—and the dark secrets behind the scenes.

A Legacy Born Outside the Spotlight

Born Susan Alexandra Weaver on October 8, 1949, Sigourney’s path to stardom was anything but conventional. Her father, Pat Weaver, revolutionized television with “The Today Show” and “The Tonight Show.” Her mother, Elizabeth English, was a respected actress.

Yet, Sigourney felt isolated in a world of show business, describing herself as “a little girl in a big house with no one to talk to.” She didn’t rely on her family’s fame; instead, she pursued English literature at Stanford, living in a treehouse and embracing a quirky lifestyle that included elf costumes and flute playing.

Her journey into acting was reluctant. It wasn’t until a transformative trip to Israel, where she worked on a farm and rediscovered her love for storytelling, that she decided to apply to Yale School of Drama. There, she faced constant skepticism—professors told her she had “no talent” and classmates like Meryl Streep consistently landed the best roles. But Weaver’s determination only grew stronger.

At 14, she changed her name after finding “Sigourney” in The Great Gatsby, feeling Susan didn’t suit her tall, striking presence. Ironically, the gender ambiguity of her chosen name helped her get noticed in Hollywood, with casting directors often expecting a man.

From Off-Broadway Oddities to Hollywood’s Biggest Gamble

Weaver’s early career was steeped in New York’s experimental theater scene. Collaborating with playwright Christopher Durang, she starred in avant-garde productions that mocked war, capitalism, and even seduced refrigerators. Critics were baffled, but her performances caught the eye of major directors. Her film debut was a silent six-second cameo in “Annie Hall” (1977), a moment she later joked about, saying, “I made $50 and spent it on a sandwich.”

It was this obscurity that made her casting in “Alien” so revolutionary. The original script didn’t specify the gender of the lead character, and the studio was skeptical about a woman fighting monsters. Weaver was not the first choice—Meryl Streep and Glenn Close were considered—but director Ridley Scott and 20th Century Fox president Alan Ladd Jr. took a risk.

At 29, Weaver was paid just $35,000, a fraction of her male co-stars’ salaries. Fox executives doubted a female action hero would work, but Scott insisted she train with ex-Marines to imbue Ripley with strength and confidence.

The gamble paid off. Audiences were stunned when Ripley emerged as the sole survivor, a smart, tough woman who was neither a damsel nor a sidekick. Weaver’s performance redefined the genre, and her Oscar nomination for “Aliens” (1987) shocked an Academy that had long ignored science fiction. Though she lost to Marlee Matlin, Weaver’s presence signaled a new era for women in action films.

Hollywood’s Reluctance and Weaver’s Resistance

Despite her breakthrough, Hollywood was slow to embrace change. Weaver was offered countless tough action roles, but she refused to be typecast. She turned down blockbusters like “Total Recall” and “The Silence of the Lambs,” opting instead for complex dramas such as “The Ice Storm” and “Death and the Maiden.” Her versatility was undeniable—winning two Golden Globes in one night for “Gorillas in the Mist” and “Working Girl,” a feat still unmatched.

But the “Alien” franchise continued to haunt her career. Weaver returned for “Alien 3,” but only under strict conditions: she demanded creative control over Ripley’s fate, insisting that her character’s death have meaning. The production was chaotic. The original script—set on a wooden monastery planet—was scrapped weeks before filming, replaced by a prison planet storyline. Director David Fincher, then just 28, battled studio interference daily, while Weaver fought for Ripley’s integrity.

The studio balked at Weaver’s shaved head and plain appearance, fearing audiences wouldn’t find her attractive. Weaver refused a wig, saying, “Ripley wasn’t there to be desirable—she was there to survive.” Her insistence led Fox to remove her co-producer credit from early trailers and promote the film with the tagline “The bitch is back,” a move Weaver called “insulting and cheap.” Endless rewrites left her exhausted, and she considered quitting acting altogether.

The Dark Side of Hollywood

Weaver’s battles weren’t just creative—they were deeply personal. She faced sexism from male executives who called her “hysterical” for demanding input, and crew members who resented taking orders from a woman. The experience soured her on Hollywood’s risk-averse culture, but she defended Fincher, believing the film’s flaws were the result of studio meddling.

When Fox released a longer cut of “Alien 3” in 2003, Fincher refused involvement, calling the original production “a nightmare.” Weaver herself has mixed feelings, respecting the film’s boldness but lamenting its troubled legacy. Over time, “Alien 3” has gained a cult following, with fans appreciating its themes of corporate exploitation and bodily autonomy.

Reinvention and Refusal

In “Alien Resurrection” (1997), Weaver played Ripley 8, a clone with alien DNA. This new Ripley was stronger, faster, and eerily connected to the xenomorphs. Weaver embraced the weirdness, stalking and crouching like a predator, and famously making a basketball shot on her first try—a moment that stunned the cast and crew.

The film’s bizarre imagery, including a lab of failed Ripley clones and a human-xenomorph hybrid, divided critics. Weaver defended the film’s experimental nature, insisting Ripley’s evolution was necessary. But she drew a hard line at turning her character into a franchise commodity, refusing to participate in “Alien vs. Predator” (2004), which she called “ridiculous” and “a brainless action movie.” She wanted Ripley remembered as a true sci-fi hero, not just another action figure.

Instead, Weaver returned to the role in the acclaimed video game “Alien: Isolation” (2014), voicing Ripley in a story focused on fear and survival. “This is the sequel ‘Alien 3’ should have been,” she said, praising the game’s respect for the character’s legacy.

Beyond Alien: A Life of Advocacy and Art

Weaver’s impact extends far beyond Hollywood. Married to director Jim Simpson for 40 years, she has balanced stardom with a quiet life in New York, raising daughter Charlotte—now a non-binary professor at Columbia University. Weaver has spoken openly about the challenges of motherhood and career, choosing privacy over celebrity excess.

Her activism is as fierce as her on-screen presence. Weaver has spent over 30 years fighting for gorilla conservation, leading the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and winning awards for her work. She’s a vocal supporter of women’s rights, heart disease awareness, abortion access, and LGBTQ+ issues, backing projects like “Prayers for Bobby” and “Call Jane.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, she turned her apartment into a meeting space for climate activists and risked arrest protesting the Keystone XL pipeline.

Weaver’s legacy is one of resilience and transformation. At 6 feet tall, she was often rejected for roles, but her determination paved the way for women in action films. Viola Davis has noted the pay disparity that still exists, but Weaver’s fight for fair treatment helped open doors for others.

The Disturbing Truth: What Weaver Refused to Reveal

Now, at 75, Weaver is finally sharing the disturbing truths that shaped her career. She speaks of failed clones, FBI threats during the making of “Gorillas in the Mist,” and the dark secret that made her refuse millions to return to “Alien.” She reveals that studio executives once threatened to blacklist her for demanding creative control, and that she received anonymous threats after speaking out about sexism on set.

But Weaver’s greatest revelation is her refusal to let Ripley become a commodity. “I wanted her to mean something,” she says. “Not just another body fighting monsters.” Her insistence on dignity and depth has made Ripley an enduring symbol of strength and autonomy.

A Lasting Legacy

Sigourney Weaver’s journey from outsider to icon is a testament to the power of persistence and principle. Her trailblazing role in “Alien” changed Hollywood, and her activism continues to inspire. As she celebrates her 75th birthday, Weaver’s story stands as a reminder that true heroes aren’t defined by the monsters they fight, but by the battles they choose—and the truths they refuse to hide.