Award-Winning Actress, Producer, and Equal Rights Advocate
Laverne Cox: Biography at a Glance
- Laverne Cox’s journey as a trailblazing actress and storyteller highlights her deep commitment to advocating for underrepresented voices.
- Known for her groundbreaking role as “Sophia Burset” in Orange is the New Black, Laverne uses her platform to destigmatize conversations around mental health, focusing on the unique struggles and triumphs faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and communities of color.
- As a public speaker and four-time Emmy-nominated actress, Laverne brings authenticity and courage to her discussions, weaving her own experiences with powerful storytelling that resonates with diverse audiences.
- Laverne’s work as an Emmy-winning producer on documentaries like Disclosure and The T Word reveals her dedication to telling stories that foster inclusivity by providing visibility to marginalized communities.
- Through her award-winning podcast, The Laverne Cox Show, she opens up meaningful dialogues on mental health, identity, and resilience, creating an accessible space for listeners to engage with these critical topics.
- Laverne’s ongoing success in film and television, combined with her advocacy work, using her visibility to champion self-acceptance, resilience, and hope for those often left out of mainstream narratives.
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Biography
With various ‘firsts’ in her already impressive career, Laverne Cox is a four-time Emmy- nominated actress, Emmy-winning producer, and a prominent equal rights advocate and public speaker. Laverne's groundbreaking role as “Sophia Burset” in the critically acclaimed Netflix original series Orange is The New Black brought her to the attention of diverse audiences all over the world. This role led to Laverne becoming the first openly transgender actress to be nominated for a Primetime acting Emmy and made her the first Trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television series. Laverne continues to expand her presence on both the big and small screens with diverse and groundbreaking roles. Global audiences can see Laverne in Uglies, directed by McG on Netflix, the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman, Shonda Rhimes’ 10-episode limited series Inventing Anna also for Netflix, Justin Simien’s independent film Bad Hair and the action-comedy Jolt alongside Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, and Stanley Tucci, just to name a few. Upcoming projects include Outcome for Apple TV, with Jonah Hill and Keanu Reeves and Clean Slate for Amazon Prime where she stars and also executive produced through Laverne Cox Productions.
Laverne is also a successful and award-winning podcaster having launched The Laverne Cox Show, with Shondaland Audio and iHeart Radio. Seasons 1 and 2 are both available wherever you listen and get your podcasts. Laverne is an Emmy-winning producer and her documentary Disclosure, which she executive produced, is currently streaming on Netflix. Named one of the 100 best documentaries of all time by Vogue, Disclosure gives an unprecedented, groundbreaking look at the depiction of transgender characters throughout the history of film and TV. Her other documentaries include the Emmy-winning Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word and Free CeCe.
Laverne is the first openly transgender person to have her own Barbie by Mattel and to appear on the covers of TIME Magazine, British Vogue, Cosmopolitan magazine, and Essence magazines, among others. She also proudly holds two SAG Awards, winning them with her Orange Is the New Black castmates for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Other accolades include a Critic’s Choice nomination for Best Supporting Actress and consecutive NAACP Image Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Topics
Ain’t I A Woman: My Journey to Womanhood
Laverne Cox explores how the intersections of race, class, and gender uniquely affect the lives of trans women of color. Laverne draws from her own personal narrative to share how she has been able to navigate the world and all its challenges.
Cox tells the story of the unique challenges along her journey to womanhood, professional achievement, self-acceptance, and love. She details everything from growing up in Mobile, Alabama, raised by a single mother in a Christian family, to attending college in New York City to pursue a career as an actress and then finally finding the courage to step into the womanhood she always knew in her heart was her destiny.
Unbreakable: Navigating Mental Health and Resilience in a World of Change
Laverne Cox delves into the deeply personal and universal challenges of mental health, offering a candid and empowering exploration of resilience, identity, and healing. Drawing from her own experiences as a trailblazing actress, advocate, and the first openly transgender person to achieve numerous milestones in the entertainment industry, Laverne shares her journey through the highs and lows of fame, self-discovery, and the ongoing struggle for mental well-being.
Through poignant anecdotes, practical advice, and insights from experts, Laverne addresses the mental health issues that often accompany marginalized identities, including anxiety, depression, and the pressures of societal expectations. Laverne emphasizes the importance of self-care, community support, and the transformative power of vulnerability in overcoming adversity.
