Basic Information:
Name: Laverne Cox
Date of Birth: May 29, 1972
Nationality: American
Profession: Actress, Advocate, Television Producer
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Biography:
Laverne Cox is an American actress, advocate, and television producer, renowned for her groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (2013–2019). Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Cox faced significant challenges early in life, including bullying and discrimination due to her gender expression. These experiences fueled her passion for advocacy and visibility for the transgender community.
Cox pursued her education at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where she studied creative writing before transitioning to dance at Indiana University. She later moved to New York City to further her acting career. Before her breakthrough role, she held various jobs and appeared in smaller television roles and independent films.
Her career took off with Orange Is the New Black, earning her critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. This role provided a platform for her advocacy, leading to numerous speaking engagements and documentaries addressing transgender rights and visibility. She has since starred in other prominent roles, including CBS's Doubt and the reimagined Rocky Horror Picture Show on Fox. Cox continues to be a leading voice in the LGBTQ+ community, using her platform to promote understanding, acceptance, and equality.
Career Timeline:
1990s - Early 2000s: Early-stage performances and roles in various television shows and independent films.
2008: Appeared on I Want to Work for Diddy.
2013-2019: Breakthrough role as Sophia Burset in Orange Is the New Black.
2014: Became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category.
2015: Won a Daytime Emmy Award for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, becoming the first openly transgender woman to win a Daytime Emmy as an executive producer.
2016: Starred as Dr. Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again.
2017: Starred in Doubt as Cameron Wirth, making her the first transgender series regular on broadcast television.
2019: Appeared in Taylor Swift's music video for "You Need to Calm Down".
2020: Hosted the E! network's red-carpet coverage.
2024: Starred in Netflix's G.I.L.
Achievements:
The recognition awarded to Laverne Cox includes praise for both her acting work and her advocacy efforts. Laverne Cox received a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award in relation to her role in Orange Is the New Black which made history by becoming the first transgender person to be acknowledged for acting at the Emmy Awards. She received a Daytime Emmy for executive producing Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word which focused on young people with transgender identities. Many GLAAD Media Awards have acknowledged Laverne Cox for her excellent work in promoting LGBTQ+ visibility. The Screen Actors Guild named her winner of their Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Award for Orange Is the New Black television series. The cross-section of her achievements includes being the first transgender person to grace the Time magazine cover while reaching numerous awards throughout her career. Her advocacy work receives recognition from different organizations including recognition from the Sundance Institute.
Key Quotes / Catchphrases:
"Transgender people are not a monolithic group."
"It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist."
"When we can move beyond the tired, reductive caricatures of trans people that we see so often in the media, then we can start having real conversations about the issues that affect trans people's lives."
