Imagine being told by your own mother that Hollywood would 'eat you alive.' That's exactly what happened to Sigourney Weaver, the iconic star of Avatar and Alien. But here's where it gets controversial: despite her mom's dire warning, Weaver not only ignored the advice but went on to become one of Hollywood's most enduring stars. And this is the part most people miss—her journey wasn't just about defying odds; it was about navigating a complex relationship with a mother who had her own unfulfilled dreams and fears.
Weaver, now 76, recently opened up about her late mother, British actress Elizabeth Inglis, during an interview with AARP magazine. Inglis, who had a successful stage career in the 1930s and appeared in films like Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps and The Letter, tried to dissuade her daughter from pursuing acting. 'Dear, they will eat you alive!' Weaver recalled her mother saying, emphasizing that Hollywood was no place for someone as sensitive as her. But Weaver, determined to carve her own path, enrolled in Yale School of Drama against her mother's wishes.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: Weaver’s professors at Yale didn’t exactly boost her confidence. 'They told me I had no talent,' she revealed. 'And that I’d never get anywhere.' These harsh words, combined with her mother’s warnings, could have crushed her spirit. Instead, Weaver channeled her frustration into perseverance. 'I hung in there just out of spite,' she told Stephen Colbert, adding that she found it irresponsible for teachers to discourage students who had already beaten incredible odds to get into such a prestigious program.
Despite the lack of encouragement, Weaver’s career took off in 1979 when she starred as Ellen Ripley in Alien. The role not only catapulted her to stardom but also earned her critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for its sequel, Aliens. Her success, however, was bittersweet. Inglis, who had given up her own acting career to focus on family, had a mixed reaction to her daughter’s achievements. 'She was ambivalent about my success,' Weaver admitted, noting that her mother’s career was cut short after marrying television executive Sylvester 'Pat' Weaver Jr., a major industry figure who created The Today Show and The Tonight Show.
But here’s the real question: Did Inglis’s own unfulfilled dreams influence her skepticism about her daughter’s career? Weaver believes so. 'It was not great for her to give up acting, but in those days, women did that—especially if they were married to someone like my father,' she explained. Inglis’s distant and private nature also meant that Weaver missed out on many typical mother-daughter experiences. 'She was a difficult person to know,' Weaver said, reflecting on their complicated relationship.
One particularly hurtful moment came when Weaver, at age eight, asked her mother if she was pretty. Inglis’s response? 'No, dear, you're just plain.' This comment, though likely well-intentioned to prevent conceit, had a lasting impact on Weaver’s self-esteem. 'It took me a long time to realize I was prettier than plain,' she admitted, crediting therapy for helping her overcome these insecurities.
Interestingly, Weaver’s approach to parenting her own daughter, Shar, has been vastly different. Unlike her mother, Weaver has been open and supportive, a stark contrast to the emotional distance she experienced growing up. However, in the final years of Inglis’s life, the two grew closer. 'I was with her when she died,' Weaver shared. 'She had a very peaceful end, and I was holding her hand. I miss her, but I feel she is still with me.'
Weaver’s story raises a thought-provoking question: How do unfulfilled dreams and fears shape the way we encourage—or discourage—the next generation? Inglis’s warnings and distance were likely rooted in her own experiences, but Weaver’s defiance and resilience turned those challenges into a legacy. What do you think? Was Inglis’s skepticism justified, or did she underestimate her daughter’s strength? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
