Sigourney Weaver has appeared in more than 60 films, from her breakout role in Alien in 1979 and the blockbuster Aliens in 1986, to Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl, and later Avatar, with many sequels in the works. Despite being raised by a family steeped in show business, Sigourney was reluctant to pursue acting for many years. In our conversation, Sigourney unpacks what was behind that reticence; tells Guy about her early years in avant-garde theater; talks about why, at first, she wasn’t all that interested in being in Alien; and explains why she takes issue with the idea that she tends to play “strong women.”

Links from the show:

The (pretty amazing) trailer for 1979's Alien
Ellen Ripley’s last stand in Alien
BBC story on Sigourney reuniting with the gorillas from Gorillas in the Mist
Sigourney in Working Girl
Sigourney plays a possessed Diana in Ghostbusters, with Bill Murray
Recent Boston Herald article on Sigourney’s very busy year
More on Sigourney’s new, 14-year-old character in the Avatar franchise

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Sigourney Weaver: Conquering Self-Doubt and How to Harness Your Instincts 54:19 Share

The Great Creators with Guy Raz

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Sigourney Weaver: Conquering Self-Doubt and How to Harness Your Instincts