Award-Winning Actress, Producer, and Mental Health Advocate
Laverne Cox: Biography at a Glance
- Laverne Cox is a four-time Emmy-nominated actress, an Emmy-winning producer, and a prominent mental health advocate.
- Laverne Cox uses her platform as a groundbreaking actress and producer to bring visibility to the challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly through her work in critically acclaimed projects like Orange Is the New Black and Disclosure.
- Disclosure received acclaim for giving an unprecedented, groundbreaking look at the depiction of transgender characters throughout history and highlighting the profound effects that film and TV depictions have on the mental well-being of transgender individuals.
- Laverne can also be seen in the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman and on Shonda Rhimes’ 10-episode limited series Inventing Anna for Netflix.
- Through her podcast, The Laverne Cox Show, Laverne engages in candid discussions about mental health, providing a space for open dialogue and empowering others to seek support.
- By sharing her own experiences and challenges related to mental health, Laverne fosters a sense of community and resilience, encouraging others to embrace their mental health journey with courage and compassion.
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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 is continuing to expand her presence on both the big and small screens with diverse and groundbreaking roles.
Laverne can be seen in the Oscar-winning film Promising Young Woman and on Shonda Rhimes’ 10-episode limited series Inventing Anna for Netflix. She appeared in Justin Simien’s independent film Bad Hair and the action-comedy Jolt alongside Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale, and Stanley Tucci. Laverne also added podcaster to her resume, launching The Laverne Cox Show, with Shondaland Audio and iHeart Radio.
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.
