Laverne Cox
Actress, Producer, LGBT Advocate
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 of 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 lead 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 currently celebrating the global success of Shonda Rhimes’ 9-episode limited series 'Inventing Anna' for Netflix where she co-stars with Julia Garner and Anna Chlumsky. Upcoming is UGLIES, co-starring with Joey King directed by McG also for Netflix.
Laverne's recent film credits include the Oscar Winning Film “Promising Young Woman” with Carey Mulligan and the action comedy JOLT alongside Kate Beckinsale, Bobby Cannavale & Stanley Tucci.
Laverne added podcaster to her resume launching the award winning “The Laverne Cox Show,” with Shondaland Audio and iHeart Radio.
Laverne is an Emmy winning producer and her last documentary "Disclosure,” which she executive produced, is currently streaming on Netflix. 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. Laverne also proudly holds two SAG Awards, winning them with her Orange Is the New Black cast mates 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.”