Career Timeline of Laverne Cox: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Laverne Cox, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Laverne Cox is a celebrated American actress and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She is best known for her groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset in the Netflix series *Orange Is the New Black*, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, a first for a transgender person in an acting category. Cox is also an Emmy Award winner as an executive producer for *Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word*. Further solidifying her place in television history, she was the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on broadcast television in CBS's *Doubt*.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: GLAAD Media Award Acceptance

In 2009, after "I Want to Work for Diddy" won a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding reality program, Laverne Cox accepted the award at the ceremony, delivering a speech that highlighted the importance of telling diverse stories.

2013: Recurring Role in "Orange is the New Black"

In 2013, Laverne Cox began her recurring role in the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black" as Sophia Burset, a trans woman sent to prison for credit-card fraud, providing her a platform to advocate for trans rights.

April 2014: GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award

In April 2014, Laverne Cox was honored by GLAAD with its Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her advocacy for the transgender community.

October 17, 2014: "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word" Premiere

On October 17, 2014, "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word", an hour-long documentary executive-produced and narrated by Cox, premiered on MTV and Logo simultaneously.

2014: Emmy Nomination and Music Video Appearance

In 2014, Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role as Sophia Burset in "Orange Is the New Black". She also appeared in John Legend's music video for "You & I (Nobody in the World)".

2015: Daytime Emmy Award for "The T Word"

In 2015, Laverne Cox won a Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special as Executive Producer for "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word", marking the first time a trans documentary won a Daytime Emmy.

2016: "Doubt" Series Debut

In 2016, the TV series "Doubt", starring Laverne Cox as a transgender attorney, premiered on CBS before being pulled from the schedule after two episodes due to low viewership.

2017: Series Regular Role on "Doubt"

In 2017, Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on U.S. broadcast TV, portraying Cameron Wirth on CBS's "Doubt".

2017: Role as Cameron Wirth on "Doubt"

In 2017, Laverne Cox began her role as transgender attorney Cameron Wirth on CBS's "Doubt"; however, the series was quickly pulled from the schedule after only two episodes.

2017: Emmy Nomination for "Orange Is the New Black"

In 2017, Laverne Cox received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role in "Orange Is the New Black".

January 27, 2020: Premiere of "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen"

On January 27, 2020, the documentary "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen", executive produced by Laverne Cox, premiered on Netflix, exploring the history of transgender representation in film and television.