From woman warrior to comedy queen, feisty intellectual to badass boss, Sigourney Weaver has proved that variety is the spice of a decades-long brilliant career.

Sigourney Weaver says starring in the "Alien" films helped her prepare for motherhood. The 59-year-old actress - who plays tough heroine Ellen Ripley in the sci-fi movie franchise - says the role gave her perspective on raising children.

Sigourney said: "Those films helped me see what a complex role in life that was. I've been drawn to women who have to grapple with things coming at them and at the same time keep very steady for their children."

Paris Hilton is scared of going into space - in case she doesn't return for 10,000 years.

The socialite is one of many celebrities - believed to include singer Moby, "Star Trek" star William Shatner and "Alien" actress Sigourney Weaver - hoping to board Richard Branson's first-ever commercial space flight, Virgin Galactic, but admits she is worried about going into orbit.