Sigourney Weaver: Roles She Missed That Other Actresses Made Famous

Sigourney Weaver is most often tied to her film successes such as "Alien" and "Working Girl." Although Weaver started her career off-Broadway, it didn't take long for her to become a household name.

However, Weaver hasn't always been the top pick among directors, nor has she taken every part she has been offered. Here are some of the roles she missed that other actresses made famous.

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1. Sarah Connor, "The Terminator" (1984)
Weaver was one of 52 women considered for the lead female role in this popular action film, according to Crawley's Casting Calls. The part ultimately went to Linda Hamilton, and it was arguably her most famous role.

2. Madison, "Splash" (1984)
Weaver was once considered for the role of Madison for "Splash," which Daryl Hannah later landed.

3. Kathryn Murphy, "The Accused" (1988)
Weaver declined the role of the assistant district attorney in "The Accused," according to NotStarring.com, sending the work to Kelly McGillis.

4. Rae Ingram, "Dead Calm" (1989)
Before Nicole Kidman signed on to "Dead Calm," Weaver was reportedly one of the top choices for the role of Rae Ingram. Kidman was nominated for a Saturn Award as Best Actress for her work.

5. Dr. Ellie Sattler, "Jurassic Park" (1993)
Steven Spielberg reportedly considered Weaver one of his first choices to star in "Jurassic Park" before Laura Dern was cast. The film earned 27 different awards.

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6. Viola de Lesseps, "Shakespeare in Love" (1998)
Weaver was one of the many actresses considered for "Shakespeare in love" at one point prior to production, according to IMDb. Gwyneth Paltrow was ultimately cast in the role and won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. She also won a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical.

7. April Epner, "Then She Found Me" (2007)
Weaver had originally optioned the rights to a film version of "Then She Found Me" in 1989, in which she hoped to star.  However, eight years and no movie later, Helen Hunt, a huge fan of the book, gained the rights and starred in and directed the film herself.

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• The 3 Roles That Defined Sigourney Weaver's Career