Lily James Reveals Personal Connection to Sci-Fi Classic Alien

Actress Lily James recently shared a unique family tie to the iconic film Alien. Her grandmother, Helen Horton, voiced the spaceship’s computer known as Mother. This revelation came during an interview about her career and influences.

James admitted she still gets a thrill when hearing her grandmother’s voice in the movie. She described the experience as both surreal and magical.

A Granddaughter’s Charming Reaction to an Iconic Role

James explained her reaction to rewatching the 1979 classic. She said she literally stops in her tracks upon hearing the voice. Recognizing her grandmother’s performance in such a famous film is a powerful feeling for her.

She praised her grandmother’s vocal talents to The Independent. Horton possessed a rich, resonant voice that captivated audiences. This voice helped create one of cinema’s most memorable supporting characters.

Using Family History to Impress a Director

The connection even helped James in her own career. She once used this family trivia during an audition. The role was for Edgar Wright’s 2017 film, Baby Driver.

James recalled the moment with a laugh. She told Wright about her grandmother’s role in Alien. The director was genuinely impressed by the cool fact. This personal anecdote highlights the enduring legacy of the original film.

The story of Lily James and her grandmother shows how film history can be a deeply personal matter. This unique family link to the Alien franchise continues to be a source of pride and surprise for the actress.

Thought you’d like to know

Q1: Who is Lily James’ grandmother?

Lily James’ grandmother was Helen Horton. She was an American actress best known for her voice role in the film Alien.

Q2: What character did Helen Horton play in Alien?

Helen Horton provided the voice for Mother. This was the central computer system on the spaceship Nostromo.

Q3: When did Lily James share this story?

She discussed it in a recent interview with The Independent. The conversation was part of a broader profile on her acting career.

Q4: How did director Edgar Wright react?

Edgar Wright found the connection very cool. James shared the story while auditioning for his film Baby Driver.

Q5: What did James say about her grandmother’s voice?

She described it as magic. James said it was a rich, almost-British voice typical of iconic movie stars from that era.