Laverne cox childhood photos

1. Early Life and Education
2. Career Beginnings
3. Breakthrough with "Orange Is the New Black"
4. LGBTQ+ Activism and Historical Milestones
5. Television and Film Roles
6. Recent Projects

Early Life and Education

Born as Roderick Laver(n) Cox in Mobile, Alabama, Laverne Cox was raised by her single mother and grandmother alongside her fraternal twin brother, Reginald Lamar Cox. At the age of 11, Cox attempted suicide due to feelings of attraction toward male classmates and bullying.

Despite these early challenges, Cox pursued her education at Alabama School of Fine Arts, initially majoring in literature before switching to classical ballet. She attended Indiana University Bloomington for two years and then transferred to Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, where she changed her major again, this time to acting. It was around this time that she began presenting as a woman.

Career Beginnings

In New York City, Laverne Cox appeared in several independent films in small roles. Her television debut came in 2008 with a guest appearance on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and subsequent appearances in "Law & Order" and "Bored to Death."

Breakthrough with "Orange Is the New Black"

Cox's breakthrough came in 2013 with the release of Netflix's "Orange Is the New Black," in which she portrayed transgender inmate Sophia Burset. The role earned her an Emmy nomination in 2014, making her the first transgender woman nominated in an acting category. In 2015, she shared a Screen Actors Guild Award with the cast.

LGBTQ+ Activism and Historical Milestones

In 2014, Cox received GLAAD's Special Recognition Award for her advocacy work in the LGBTQ+ community. She later made history by becoming the first transgender person to appear on the cover of Time magazine.

Television and Film Roles

From 2014 to 2015, Cox guest-starred in "Faking It," "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce," and "The Mindy Project." In 2015, she was cast in a lead role in the CBS legal drama pilot "Doubt," becoming the first transgender person to play a regular transgender character on primetime television.

Recent Projects

Cox has continued to make strides in her career, appearing in the 2019 action comedy "Charlie's Angels," the 2020 horror-comedy "Bad Hair," and the 2021 thriller "Promising Young Woman."