History of Laverne Cox in Timeline
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*.
May 29, 1972: Laverne Cox Born
On May 29, 1972, Laverne Cox was born. She would later become an accomplished American actress and a prominent advocate for the LGBTQ community.
1990: Angela Morley's Emmy Nomination
In 1990, composer Angela Morley received an Emmy Award nomination. It would be the last Emmy nomination for a transgender person until Laverne Cox's nomination.
1993: Synthia China Blast's Crime
In 1993, Synthia China Blast was found guilty of the rape and murder of a 13-year-old child.
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.
January 2014: Appearance on Katie Couric's Show
In January 2014, Laverne Cox appeared on Katie Couric's show alongside Carmen Carrera, addressing questions about transgender identity and experiences.
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.
June 9, 2014: Time Magazine Cover
On June 9, 2014, Laverne Cox appeared on the cover of Time magazine with the title "The Transgender Tipping Point", making her the first transgender person on the cover of Time.
June 2014: Time Magazine Cover
In June 2014, Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to appear on the cover of Time magazine.
October 2014: Essence Magazine Cover
In October 2014, Laverne Cox was featured on the cover of Essence magazine along with actresses Alfre Woodard, Nicole Beharie, and Danai Gurira.
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)".
2014: Campaign Against "Manifesting Prostitution" Law
In 2014, Laverne Cox joined a campaign against a Phoenix, Arizona, law which allows police to arrest anyone suspected of "manifesting prostitution", feeling it targets transgender women of color, following the conviction of activist Monica Jones.
June 11, 2015: Entertainment Weekly Cover
On June 11, 2015, Laverne Cox was the cover subject for the "totally not-straight issue" of Entertainment Weekly, the first issue in 15 years to focus on gay, lesbian, and transgender entertainment.
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.
May 2016: 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 progressive work in the fight for gender equality.
June 2016: Human Rights Campaign Video Tribute
In June 2016, Laverne Cox participated in a Human Rights Campaign video tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting, sharing stories of those who were killed.
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: Collaboration with ACLU and Ivy Park Campaign
In 2017, Laverne Cox collaborated with the ACLU on a video about transgender history and resistance, and became one of the faces of the fall campaign for the Ivy Park line of clothing.
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".
February 2018: Cosmopolitan Cover
In February 2018, Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to appear on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine, specifically the South African edition.
February 2019: New York Fashion Week Show for 11 Honoré
In February 2019, Laverne Cox headlined the New York Fashion Week show for 11 Honoré, a luxury e-retailer focused on plus-sized designer fashion.
June 17, 2019: Appearance in Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" Music Video
On June 17, 2019, Laverne Cox was featured in Taylor Swift's "You Need to Calm Down" music video, which promotes LGBTQ+ equality and acceptance.
September 2019: British Vogue Cover Appearance
In September 2019, Laverne Cox appeared on the cover of British Vogue, chosen by guest editor Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, making her the first transgender woman to grace the cover of British Vogue.
September 2019: Emmy Awards with Chase Strangio
In September 2019, Laverne Cox attended the Emmy Awards with ACLU attorney Chase Strangio, carrying a clutch referencing the Supreme Court case R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Homes Inc. v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to support trans rights.
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.
May 2021: Host of Live from the Red Carpet
In May 2021, E! announced that Laverne Cox would become the host of Live from the Red Carpet starting in January 2022, succeeding Giuliana Rancic.
December 2021: Casting in "The Uglies"
In December 2021, Laverne Cox was cast in Netflix's dystopian fantasy film "The Uglies", directed by McG, based on Scott Westerfeld's book.
January 2022: Hosting Live From the Red Carpet
In January 2022, Laverne Cox began hosting "Live from the Red Carpet" on E!.
2024: Appearance on The Masked Singer
In 2024, Laverne Cox competed in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Chess Piece". She was eliminated on "Barbie Night".
