Sigourney Weaver’s acceptance speech at the 2024 Goya Awards became one of the most emotional moments of the night. The acclaimed American actress, known for her iconic role as ‘Lieutenant Ripley’ in Alien, surprised the audience by addressing her Spanish voice actor with words of deep gratitude.
“María, I hope you are watching tonight, because I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Weaver, thus recognizing the work of María Luisa Solá, a prominent figure in the world of dubbing.
María Luisa Solá, born in 1939 in Catalonia, has been the Spanish voice of numerous female characters in cinema, including Sigourney Weaver in more than 30 films, since her debut in Alien. Although her face may be unknown to many, her voice has resonated in the Spanish film industry since the 1950s.
Among the most notable roles she has played with her voice are those of Mia Farrow, Glenn Close, Susan Sarandon, Diane Keaton, and a long list that includes internationally renowned actresses, accumulating 3,000 dubbings under her belt.
Solá has been the voice behind emblematic characters in films by Alfred Hitchcock, among other directors. Altogether, she has dubbed over 65 actresses throughout her career.
Although it has been Weaver’s usual voice, she is not the actress whom he has dubbed the most times. She is Susan Sarandon, with 61 films, followed by Helen Mirren with 46 and Glenn Close with 41. She has dubbed the recent winner of the International Goya 39 times. Behind them are Judi Dench with 35 dubbings, Kathy Bates (34 films), Diane Keaton (29), Jamie Lee Curtis (28), Jacqueline Bisset (23), Faye Dunaway (22), Kim Basinger (19), Candice Bergen and Carrie Fisher (17), Anjelica Huston (13) and Jane Fonda (11 films).
Despite having worked in the shadows for much of her career, María Luisa Solá has received recognition for her outstanding work in dubbing. In 2019, she was awarded the Actúa Award from the AISGE Foundation, in recognition of her professional career.
