Ellen Ripley

Ellen Louise Ripley is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Alien film series played by American actress Sigourney Weaver. The character earned Weaver world recognition, and the role remains her most famous to date.

Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) were heralded for challenging gender roles, particularly in the science fiction, action and horror genres. Weaver's performances are also highly praised: for Aliens, she earned her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, which is now seen as a landmark since the Academy, to that point, had given little recognition to the genres of science-fiction and horror. For her role in the franchise, Weaver has also been nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama, a BAFTA Award for Best Leading Newcomer, and four Saturn Awards for Best Actress, winning one for Aliens.

Ripley is often considered one of the most significant female protagonists in all of cinema, and is a prominent figure in American popular culture. John Scalzi, film critic and president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, wrote in 2011: