Which actress played the first female Navy SEAL candidate in Ridley Scott’s G.I. Jane? Demi Moore played Lieutenant Jordan O’Neil, the fictional Navy officer selected to undergo an elite special-operations training program.
Released in 1997, G.I. Jane follows O’Neil after Senator Lillian DeHaven chooses her as a test case for opening all Navy occupations to women. The film’s training program is modeled loosely on the demands associated with Navy SEAL selection, including long workdays, obstacle courses, beach exercises, and a punishing “Hell Week.”
The wording can cause a historical mix-up: O’Neil is a fictional character, and the movie portrays training similar to SEAL selection rather than documenting the career of a real Navy SEAL. Moore shaved her head for the role and underwent intensive physical preparation, helping make O’Neil’s transformation central to the film’s marketing and story.
Moore starred opposite Viggo Mortensen, who played Command Master Chief John Urgayle, the intimidating training instructor. G.I. Jane opened at number one in the United States and ultimately grossed about $98.4 million worldwide on a reported $50 million budget.