Laverne Cox is a groundbreaking American actress and LGBT advocate. She is best known for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black," which earned her a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, making her the first transgender person to achieve this since 1990. She is also the first transgender woman to win a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as executive producer on "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word." Her impact extends to broadcast television as well, where she was the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on U.S. TV in the CBS series "Doubt."
May 29, 1972: Laverne Cox's Birth
Laverne Cox was born on May 29, 1972.
1990: Angela Morley's Emmy Nomination
Composer Angela Morley was nominated for an Emmy Award in 1990, marking a significant moment in LGBTQ+ representation in the entertainment industry.
1993: Synthia China Blast's Conviction
Transgender inmate Synthia China Blast was found guilty of the rape and murder of a 13-year-old child in 1993. This case highlights the complexities and challenges faced by transgender individuals within the criminal justice system.
2009: GLAAD Media Award for "I Want to Work for Diddy"
The reality show "I Want to Work for Diddy", which featured Laverne Cox as a contestant, won a GLAAD Media Award for outstanding reality program in 2009. Cox accepted the award and delivered a powerful speech highlighting the importance of representation.
2013: Sophia Burset in "Orange is the New Black"
Laverne Cox's recurring role as Sophia Burset, a transgender woman incarcerated for credit-card fraud, in the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black", began in 2013. Cox's portrayal of Sophia provided a platform for transgender visibility and fostered empathy and understanding among viewers.
January 2014: Appearance on "Katie"
Laverne Cox appeared on Katie Couric's syndicated show "Katie" in January 2014, where she addressed Couric's use of the term "transgenders" and skillfully responded to intrusive questions about her surgical history, advocating for respect and understanding of transgender individuals.
April 2014: GLAAD Stephen F. Kolzak Award
In April 2014, Laverne Cox was recognized for her advocacy work for the transgender community by GLAAD with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award.
June 9, 2014: Time Magazine Cover Story: "The Transgender Tipping Point"
Laverne Cox was featured on the cover of Time magazine's June 9, 2014 issue, accompanied by an interview for the article "The Transgender Tipping Point" by Katy Steinmetz. This marked a significant moment in transgender visibility and the recognition of transgender issues in mainstream media.
June 2014: Time Magazine Cover
Laverne Cox graced the cover of Time magazine in June 2014, becoming the first transgender person to achieve this milestone.
October 2014: Essence Magazine Cover and V Magazine Feature
Laverne Cox was featured on the cover of Essence magazine's October 2014 issue, alongside other prominent actresses, showcasing the growing representation of Black women in entertainment. She was also featured in V magazine's "Rebels" issue, nominated by actress Natasha Lyonne as a personal rebel, highlighting Cox's influential role in challenging norms and advocating for social change.
October 17, 2014: Premiere of "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word" and C☆NDY Magazine Cover
Laverne Cox's documentary "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word", which she executive-produced and narrated, premiered on MTV and Logo on October 17, 2014, further amplifying transgender voices and experiences. Cox also graced the cover of C☆NDY magazine's fifth-anniversary issue, alongside 13 other transgender women, celebrating transgender visibility and representation in media.
2014: Campaign Against Phoenix Law and Support for Transgender Inmates
Laverne Cox actively campaigned against a law in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2014, that allowed police to arrest individuals suspected of "manifesting prostitution", a law she argued disproportionately targeted transgender women of color. She also participated in a video released by the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, reading a letter from a transgender inmate, raising awareness about the issues faced by transgender people in prison. However, upon learning about the inmate's conviction for rape and murder, Cox clarified her stance and emphasized the importance of accountability.
2014: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination and Appearance in John Legend's Music Video
Laverne Cox achieved another milestone in 2014 by becoming the first transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category for her role in "Orange Is the New Black." She also appeared in John Legend's music video for "You & I (Nobody in the World)", further expanding her visibility and impact.
June 11, 2015: Entertainment Weekly's "Totally Not-Straight Issue"
Laverne Cox graced the cover of Entertainment Weekly's June 11, 2015 issue, which focused exclusively on LGBTQ+ entertainment. This marked the magazine's first issue dedicated to this theme in 15 years, signifying a shift in media representation and the growing recognition of LGBTQ+ stories.
2015: Daytime Emmy Award and Allure Magazine's "Nudes" Issue
In 2015, Laverne Cox achieved another significant milestone by winning a Daytime Emmy Award as Executive Producer for "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word," making it the first trans documentary to win this award. She also made history as the first transgender actress to pose nude for Allure magazine's annual "Nudes" issue, challenging conventional beauty standards and promoting body positivity.
2015: Daytime Emmy Award for "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word"
Laverne Cox won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special as executive producer for "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word" in 2015. This marked a historic win as she became the first transgender woman to receive the award.
May 2016: Received an Honorary Doctorate from The New School
In May 2016, Laverne Cox was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The New School in New York City for her advocacy for gender equality.
June 2016: Human Rights Campaign Tribute to Orlando Nightclub Shooting Victims
In June 2016, following the tragic Orlando nightclub shooting, the Human Rights Campaign released a video tribute to honor the victims. Laverne Cox participated in the video, sharing the stories of those who lost their lives, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and remembrance.
2016: Cancellation of "Doubt"
CBS announced the cancellation of the series "Doubt", in which Laverne Cox starred as transgender attorney Cameron Wirth, in 2016, after only two episodes had aired. Despite this setback, the remaining episodes were later broadcast, highlighting the challenges of representing marginalized communities in mainstream media.
2017: Collaboration on "Time Marches Forward & So Do We" and Ivy Park Campaign
In 2017, Laverne Cox collaborated with the ACLU, Zackary Drucker, Molly Crabapple, and Kim Boekbinder to create the video "Time Marches Forward & So Do We," narrating a powerful message about transgender history and resilience. Cox also became one of the four faces of the fall campaign for the Ivy Park clothing line, further expanding her influence and visibility in the fashion world.
2017: First Transgender Series Regular on U.S. Broadcast TV
In 2017, Laverne Cox made history as the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on U.S. broadcast television as Cameron Wirth in CBS's "Doubt".
2017: Primetime Emmy Award Nomination for "Orange Is the New Black"
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" in 2017. This nomination solidified her status as a respected actress and a trailblazer for transgender representation in the entertainment industry.
2017: Role as Cameron Wirth in "Doubt"
Laverne Cox took on the role of transgender attorney Cameron Wirth in the CBS series "Doubt" in 2017, further advancing transgender representation on television. Despite the show's cancellation, Cox's involvement marked another significant step in her career and advocacy.
February 2018: Cosmopolitan South Africa Cover
Laverne Cox continued to break barriers in February 2018 by becoming the first transgender person to appear on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine, specifically the South African edition.
February 2019: Headlined New York Fashion Week for 11 Honoré
In February 2019, Laverne Cox headlined the New York Fashion Week show for 11 Honoré, a luxury e-retailer specializing in plus-sized designer fashion.
June 17, 2019: Featured in Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" Music Video
Laverne Cox appeared in Taylor Swift's music video for "You Need to Calm Down," which was released on June 17, 2019.
September 2019: Attended the 2019 Emmy Awards with ACLU Attorney Chase Strangio
In September 2019, Laverne Cox brought ACLU attorney Chase Strangio to the Emmy Awards. She carried a rainbow clutch inscribed with "Oct 8", "Title VII", and "Supreme Court" to bring awareness to the Supreme Court case R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The case involved Aimee Stephens, a trans woman who was fired from her job at a funeral home, and Strangio was one of her lawyers.
September 2019: Featured on the Cover of British Vogue
In September 2019, Laverne Cox was chosen as one of fifteen women to appear on the cover of British Vogue, guest-edited by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. This made Cox the first transgender woman to be featured on the cover of British Vogue.
January 27, 2020: Executive Produced "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen"
Laverne Cox executive produced the documentary "Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen", which premiered on Netflix on January 27, 2020.
May 2021: Announced as Host of "Live from the Red Carpet"
In May 2021, E! announced Laverne Cox would replace Giuliana Rancic as the host of "Live from the Red Carpet" beginning in January 2022.
December 2021: Cast in Netflix's "The Uglies"
In December 2021, Laverne Cox was cast in Netflix's film adaptation of "The Uglies", a dystopian fantasy novel by Scott Westerfeld.
January 2022: Began Hosting "Live from the Red Carpet"
In January 2022, Laverne Cox officially began hosting E!'s "Live from the Red Carpet".