Laverne Cox is a two-time Emmy-nominated actress and Emmy-winning producer best known for her work on the critically acclaimed Netflix original series "Orange is The New Black" where she plays the ground breaking role of Sophia Burset. Laverne is the first Trans woman of color to have a leading role on a mainstream scripted television show and the first openly Trans person to be nominated for an Emmy in acting category. Laverne is continuing to expand her TV presence with diverse and groundbreaking roles. ABC recently gave a put pilot order for "Spirited," a one-hour drama starring Laverne about a fake psychic who discovers she has genuine powers. The project from Warner Bros. is executive produced by Elizabeth Banks. She recently starred on CBS' "Doubt," a legal drama from "Grey's Anatomy" producers Joan Rater and Tony Phelan. She played 'Cameron Wirth', a Trans Ivy League-educated lawyer who's both competitive and compassionate. In October 2017, Laverne took on the iconic role of 'Dr. Frank-N- Furter' in the Fox remake of "Rocky Horror Picture Show." The two-hour TV event was directed, choreographed and executive produced by Kenny Ortega, with other executive producers including Lou Adler and Gail Berman. Laverne is stepping into the world of fashion & beauty starring in a new campaign for Beyonce's athleisure line, Ivy Park. She also teamed up with Orly to created "Celebrate Yourself" a Limited Edition collection of nail colors. Laverne's work as an actress and advocate landed her on the cover of TIME Magazine as well as 2 Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series" and "Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series." Laverne continues to break boundaries and make history with accolades including back to back SAG Awards for "Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series," a Critic's Choice nomination for "Best Supporting Actress," and consecutive NAACP Image Award nominations for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series." Laverne's other acting credits include "Grandma," starring Lily Tomlin from acclaimed writer and director Paul Weitz and "Freak Show," from director Trudie Styler. Laverne has had guest starring roles on several TV shows including; the hit Fox comedy "The Mindy Project," Bravo's "Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" and MTV's "Faking It." She also hosted #GoBold brought to you by Revlon, an empowering web series that celebrates bold, provocative women setting out to accomplish their goals. Laverne's documentary "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word" aired October 2014 on MTV & Logo to impressive ratings. The hour-long documentary explored the lives seven transgender youth from across the country and their determination to lead their lives as the people they are meant to be. Laverne was the host and executive producer of the ground breaking documentary which won a Daytime Emmy Award and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. Laverne is also producing another documentary titled "Free CeCe" in order to heighten visibility and awareness surrounding CeCe McDonald, a transgender woman who was controversially sentenced to 41 months in prison for second degree manslaughter after allegedly defending herself against a racist and transphobic attack. The documentary will focus on McDonald's case, her experiences while incarcerated in a men's prison and the larger implications of her case for the transgender community. In 2013 Laverne won Best Supporting Actress at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival for her work in the critically acclaimed film "Musical Chairs" directed by Susan Seidelman . Laverne's other acting credits include "Law and Order," "Law and Order: SVU," "Bored to Death," and the independent films "Carla" and "The Exhibitionists." She also voiced the Lady Chablis in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil for METABOOK. Laverne is the first trans woman of color to produce and star in her own television show, VH1's "TRANSForm Me" which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. Laverne is also the first trans woman of color to appear on an American reality television program, VH1's "I Wanna Work for Diddy" for which she accepted the GLAAD media award for "Outstanding Reality Program." She also received The Stephen F. Kolzak Award at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles. In addition to her acting, Laverne is a renowned speaker and has taken her empowering message of moving beyond gender expectations to live more authentically all over the country. Her work as an advocate landed her a coveted spot as one of Glamour magazine's 2014 Women of the Year. She is the recipient of the Dorian Rising Star Award for her work in "Orange is the New Black," the Courage Award from the Anti-Violence Project, The Community Leader Award from the LGBT Center of New York City, received the Reader's Choice Award from "Out" Magazine, was named one of The Grio's 100 Most Influential African Americans, was named one of the Top 50 Trans Icons by the Huffington Post, one of Out magazine's Out 100, made the Ebony Power 100 and was ranked number 5 on the 2014 Root 100 list.
During an interview with Michel Martin on the NPR talk show "Tell Me More", she revealed that she grew up in Mobile, Alabama.
She has a twin brother, musician M. Lamar , who appeared on "Orange Is the New Black" in a flashback as the pre-gender transition version of her character, Sophia.
She was named one of OUT Magazines 100 most influential gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people for 2013.
She attended high school at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, a state-wide, public, magnet, boarding and day school in Birmingham. Admission to ASFA is by competitive application and - depending on the area of arts interest - audition. She started as a creative writing major, before later switching to the dance program.
She has spoken in many interviews about the bullying and lack of support she received from both peers and teachers as a child in Alabama. Her third grade teacher warned her mother that she was sick and "would end up in New Orleans wearing a dress if we dont get him into therapy right away." As an adult, in her capacity as an LGBT activist, she has lectured at many universities, including New Orleanss Tulane, where she did indeed wear a dress.
She appeared on the cover of the June 9, 2014, issue of Time magazine, and was interviewed for the article "The Transgender Tipping Point" by Katy Steinmetz. This makes her the first openly transgender person to appear on the cover of Time in the magazines history.
Her nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series - for her performance in "Orange Is the New Black" - at the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards makes her the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an acting award in the history of the Emmys.
The role of Cameron Wirth - her character in "Doubt" - was written specifically for a transgender actress.
My mother was a teacher. She was grooming my brother and me to be successful, accomplished people.
What took time for my mom was getting the pronouns right and calling me by a different name. Laverne was my middle name before I transitioned. .
