Laverne Cox is a trailblazing American actress and LGBT advocate whose career has been marked by breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. Born on May 29, 1972, Cox rose to prominence with her groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset on the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.
With her talent and dedication, she became the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category and the first to win a Daytime Emmy Award for her work as an executive producer on Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. In 2017, she made history again as the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on U.S. broadcast TV as Cameron Wirth on CBS’s Doubt.
As she continues to pave the way for representation and inclusion in Hollywood, fans and critics eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this talented and inspiring woman. Stay tuned for updates on Laverne Cox’s net worth, age, career, family, height, and more in this comprehensive bio for 2024.
Laverne Cox’s Biography/Wiki
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laverne Cox |
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1972 |
| Age | 51 years old (as of 2023) |
| Occupation | Actress, LGBT advocate |
| Notable Roles | Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black |
| Cameron Wirth on CBS’s Doubt | |
| Achievements | – First transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category |
| – First transgender person to win a Daytime Emmy Award for executive producing Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word | |
| – First transgender person to play a transgender series regular on U.S. broadcast TV | |
| Net Worth | $6 million |
| Height | Not provided |
Who is Laverne Cox?
Laverne Cox is a powerhouse in the entertainment world, wielding her influence on and off the screen. Known for her groundbreaking roles in popular television series, she is also a prominent advocate for LGBT rights. Her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood has shaped her career and motivated her advocacy work.
Cox made history as the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award and win a Daytime Emmy Award. Beyond acting, she has made her mark as an executive producer, giving voice to critical social issues. While her on-screen roles have earned her wide acclaim, her resilience, activism, and impact on the industry truly set her apart. Also, Laverne Cox is not just an actress but a pioneer, advocate, and inspiration.
Laverne Cox’s Early Life
Laverne Cox was born in Mobile, Alabama, on May 29, 1972. She was born as a twin and raised by a single mother in a humble background. She showed a strong inclination towards the arts from an early age, particularly dancing and acting. Cox faced a significant amount of adversity during her youth, including bullying and marginalization due to her gender identity.
However, she channeled these experiences into determination and resilience, laying the groundwork for her eventual success in Hollywood. Her childhood struggles sparked her interest in advocacy work, specifically in the fight for transgender and LGBTQ+ rights. This passion and her love for performing paved the way for her pioneering career.
Laverne Cox’s Education
From an early age, Laverne Cox exhibited a strong passion for the arts. Her love for performing led her to pursue formal education in the same. After graduating high school, Cox enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington, where she studied for two years before transferring to Marymount Manhattan College in New York City.
Here, she switched her focus to acting, ultimately shaping her future career. Her college years were not only instrumental in honing her acting skills but also pivotal in shaping her identity as a transgender woman.
It was during this time that Cox began her transition, a significant step that marked the beginning of her journey as a trans woman in the public eye. The experiences and lessons from her academic journey have deeply influenced her life and career, giving her the foundations to become a celebrated actress and a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Personal Life and Family
Laverne Cox was born as one of a pair of twins in Mobile, Alabama. She was raised by a single mother who worked multiple jobs to support her family, which taught Cox the value of hard work and resilience. Cox’s relationship with her family, particularly her twin brother, M Lamar, has remained a cornerstone throughout her life.
M Lamar, a musician and actor, even portrayed the pre-transition Sophia in Orange Is the New Black. Despite the challenges faced due to her gender identity, Cox’s family has been a pillar of support. Today, Cox is a proud aunt to her brother’s children.
She often shares heartwarming pictures with her family on her social media platforms, reinforcing the importance of family in her life. Despite her fame, she keeps her personal life relatively private. However, one thing is sure: Laverne Cox’s journey is rooted in her unwavering love and respect for her family.
Laverne Cox’s Husband/boyfriend
Laverne Cox, an advocate for privacy, has not extensively shared about her relationships in public. It’s known that she prefers to keep this area of her life away from the media spotlight to maintain some level of personal sanctity. Despite the spotlight that comes with her profession, she has balanced her public persona and her private life.
It’s also important to note that as a visible transgender woman, she often focuses on advocacy for trans rights and representation in her public statements rather than her romantic relationships. While she has occasionally shared glimpses of her love life on social media, she has managed to maintain a balance that respects her boundaries. Therefore, detailed information regarding Laverne Cox’s romantic partner or relationships remains undisclosed.
Laverne Cox’s Career
Laverne Cox’s acting career began in the early 2000s with minor roles in films and television. However, her big breakthrough came in 2013, when she was cast as Sophia Burset, a transgender inmate in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her portrayal of Sophia received critical acclaim, leading to a historic Primetime Emmy nomination in 2014.
Cox’s work as an executive producer for the television show Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word won her a Daytime Emmy in 2015, another historic moment. In 2017, she landed a role on CBS’s Doubt as Cameron Wirth, becoming the first trans person to play a regular transgender character on U.S.
Broadcast TV. Cox’s acting work has spanned various genres, from drama series to reality TV, where she has served as a host and judge. Apart from her work in front of the camera, Cox is also a strong advocate for LGBT rights, often using her platform to bring attention to critical social issues. Her career thus far illustrates her multifaceted talents, from acting to producing to activism.
Laverne Cox’s Net Worth
Accumulating wealth from her versatile career as an actress, producer, and advocate, Laverne Cox’s net worth is estimated to be around $6 million as of 2024. Her income sources are multifaceted, encompassing earnings from her acting roles in popular television series and films, executive producing projects, and other endeavors in the entertainment industry.
Notably, her role in the Netflix series “Orange Is the New Black” and her work as an executive producer on “Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word” have contributed significantly to her financial success. In addition, Cox earns from public speaking engagements, where she talks about LGBTQ+ rights and her journey as a transgender woman.
It is also worth mentioning that she has inked deals for brand endorsements and partnerships, further supplementing her income. Laverne Cox’s net worth may grow as her career continues to flourish.
Body Measurements & Physical Appearances
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Ethnicity
Laverne Cox is an African American woman who is proud of her heritage. She was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, in the Southern United States. She has often credited her upbringing in the South for instilling a strong sense of determination and resilience.
Throughout her career, Cox has used her platform to highlight the intersectionality of her identity as a black transgender woman, discussing how race and gender identity are interconnected and impact her life and experiences.
As an advocate, she continues to raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by people of color within the LGBTQ+ community. Laverne Cox’s ethnicity, combined with her gender identity, plays a crucial role in her activism and her performances, making her a beacon of representation for many.
TRIVIA
Here are some fun facts about Laverne Cox. She is not only a twin but also played her twin brother in an Orange Is the New Black episode. Her twin brother, M Lamar, later joined the cast to play the pre-transition Sophia in flashbacks.
Cox has often cited her mother as a significant inspiration, noting that she grew up watching her work three jobs to provide for her family. Aside from acting, Cox is also a trained dancer. She used to teach fitness classes in New York City before her acting career took off.
In 2014, Cox became the first openly transgender person to grace the cover of TIME magazine. She is also an avid social media user and uses these platforms to communicate with her fans, share her advocacy work, and raise awareness about transgender issues. Laverne Cox is a true trailblazer whose life and career are filled with inspiring milestones.
Before Fame
Laverne Cox faced significant challenges and adversity before finding success as an actress and advocate. Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Cox’s humble beginnings and passion for the arts became vital parts of her story.
Early in life, she dealt with bullying and marginalization because of her gender identity. Yet, these experiences fueled her determination and resilience, serving as stepping stones to her eventual success. As a college student at Marymount Manhattan College, Cox began her transition, marking a significant moment in her journey.
Her early years were also characterized by her deep interest in dancing and acting, leading her to pursue an entertainment career. Long before she would grace our screens and make history, Cox was a young woman in the South, navigating the complexities of her identity and chasing her dreams. Her pre-fame life laid the groundwork for the influential figure she would become.
Hobbies
- Fitness Enthusiast: Cox worked as a fitness instructor in New York City long before fame, indicating her passion for physical well-being. She often posts pictures of her workouts on social media, demonstrating her commitment to fitness.
- Dance Lover: Cox’s love for dance is professional and personal. She’s often seen showcasing her dance skills at various events and even on her social media platforms.
- Avid Reader: Cox has expressed her love for reading on numerous occasions. She often recommends books to her followers, ranging from feminist literature to memoirs of influential figures.
- Traveler: Cox developed a love for travel with her career taking her places. She often shares pictures from her trips worldwide, showing her fascination for different cultures and landscapes.
- Advocate at Heart: Beyond being her profession, advocacy for transgender rights and LGBTQ+ issues is also a personal passion for Cox. She devotes her free time to learning more about these issues and ways to create a more inclusive society.
Favorite Things
- Favorite Author: James Baldwin – An iconic figure in American literature, James Baldwin’s books have been cited as Cox’s favorites for exploring race, sexuality, and class.
- Favorite Dancer: Alvin Ailey – Known for her love of dance, Cox has often admired the late Alvin Ailey, whose work revolutionized African American participation in 20th-century concert dance.
- Favorite Activist: Marsha P. Johnson – As an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Cox has expressed her admiration for Marsha P. Johnson, a prominent figure in the Stonewall uprising.
- Favorite Fitness Activity: Yoga – Cox frequently practices yoga as a fitness enthusiast, favoring it for both its physical benefits and mindfulness aspects.
- Favorite City: New York – Now a resident of Los Angeles, Cox often expresses her love for New York City, where she honed her acting skills and started her transition journey.
- Favorite Food: Vegan Cuisine – Cox is a vegan and enjoys exploring plant-based culinary delights.
- Favorite TV Show: Pose – An ardent fan of TV shows that promote diversity and representation, Cox has shared her admiration for Pose. This series centers on New York City’s African American and Latinx LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming drag ball culture scene.
Social Media
| Social Media Platform | Handle/Username |
|---|---|
| @lavernecox | |
| @Lavernecox | |
| /LaverneCoxOfficial | |
| TikTok | @lavernecox |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Laverne Cox?
Born on May 29, 1972, Laverne Cox is 52 years old as of 2024.
What was Cox’s breakthrough role?
Cox gained widespread recognition as Sophia Burset in Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black.
Has Laverne Cox won any awards?
Yes, Cox won a Daytime Emmy Award for executive producing Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word.
Who is Laverne Cox’s twin?
Cox’s twin brother is M Lamar, a musician and actor who portrayed the pre-transition Sophia in Orange Is the New Black.
What is Laverne Cox’s net worth?
As of 2024, Laverne Cox’s estimated net worth is $6 million.
What is Cox’s ethnicity?
Laverne Cox is African American and has been vocal about her experiences as a black transgender woman.
Conclusion
Laverne Cox is an American actress and advocate, best known for her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. She is the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in any acting category and has become a leading voice in the transgender community.
