Laverne Cox

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Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox

Photo credit: 
AP

Laverne Cox

Date of Birth

Birthday: May 29
Birthplace: Mobile, Alabama

Laverne Cox is an American actress and LGBTQ+ advocate.

She rose to prominence with her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Emmy Award in any acting category, and the first to be nominated for an Emmy Award since composer Angela Morley in 1990.

In 2015, she won a Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special as executive producer for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, making her the first openly transgender woman to win the award.

Laverne Cox is an American actress and LGBTQ+ advocate.

She rose to prominence with her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Emmy Award in any acting category, and the first to be nominated for an Emmy Award since composer Angela Morley in 1990.

In 2015, she won a Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special as executive producer for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, making her the first openly transgender woman to win the award.

In 2017, she became the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on broadcast TV as Cameron Wirth on CBS's Doubt.

Cox appeared as a contestant on the first season of VH1's reality show I Want to Work for Diddy, and co-produced and co-hosted the VH1 makeover television series TRANSform Me.

In April 2014, Cox was honored by GLAAD with its Stephen F. Kolzak Award for her work as an advocate for the transgender community.

In June 2014, Cox became the first openly transgender person to appear on the cover of Time magazine. Cox is the first openly transgender person to appear on the cover of a Cosmopolitan magazine, with her February 2018 cover on the South African edition.

Cox was named one of the top 50 transgender icons by the Huffington Post, one of Out magazine's "Out 100" and Metro Source magazine's "55 People We Love."

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Awards & Nominations

4 Nominations
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series - 2020
Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series - 2019
  • Nominee
  • Laverne Cox, as Sophia Burset
  • Orange Is The New Black
  • "Well This Took A Dark Turn"
  • Netflix
  • Lionsgate Television
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series - 2017

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 75th Emmy Awards
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series during the 72nd Emmy Awards.
Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series to Jesse Armstrong for This Is Not For Tears at the 72nd Emmy Awards.

Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series to Eddie Murphy for Saturday Night Live on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series to Eddie Murphy for Saturday Night Live on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to Craig Henighan for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation to Bonnie Wild, David Acord and Matthew Wood for The Mandalorian on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to David Klotz for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to William Files for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
2019 Performers Nominee Reception
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Laverne Cox and BD Wong present an award at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox presents an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Rachel Brosnahan and Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Laverne Cox of Orange is the New Black arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.
The nominees attend the Performers nominee reception.
Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven, Danielle Brooks (c) and Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black attend the Performers nominee reception.
Laverne Cox (r) of Orange Is the New Black and Gloria Cox (l) at the 2014 Creative Arts Emmy ball.
Laverne Cox at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Natasha Lyonne (l), Uzo Aduba (c) and Laverne Cox (r) of Orange is the New Black at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Presenters Laverne Cox (l) Uzo Aduba (c) and Natasha Lyonne (r) at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox or Orange is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox of Orange is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Laverne Cox, Christy Dees, Sherri Saum, Andrew Rannells, Stephen Tropiano, Paul Colichman, Amber Tamblyn, Wilson Cruz, and Dan Bucatinsky
Laverne Cox
Fill 1
Fill 1
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 75th Emmy Awards
Camera

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 75th Emmy Awards 

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox
Camera

Laverne Cox of Inventing Anna on the red carpet

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox
Camera

Laverne Cox of Inventing Anna

Photo by Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP Images
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series during the 72nd Emmy Awards.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series during the 72nd Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series to Jesse Armstrong for This Is Not For Tears at the 72nd Emmy Awards.

Camera

Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series to Jesse Armstrong for This Is Not For Tears at the 72nd Emmy Awards.


Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series to Eddie Murphy for Saturday Night Live on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series to Eddie Murphy for Saturday Night Live on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series to Eddie Murphy for Saturday Night Live on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series to Eddie Murphy for Saturday Night Live on Night Five of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to Craig Henighan for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to Craig Henighan for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation to Bonnie Wild, David Acord and Matthew Wood for The Mandalorian on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation to Bonnie Wild, David Acord and Matthew Wood for The Mandalorian on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to David Klotz for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to David Klotz for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to William Files for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents the award for Outstanding Sound Editing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour) to William Files for Stranger Things on Night Three of the Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
Camera

Leslie Jones welcomes her three co-presenters: Laverne Cox, Josh Gad, and Tatiana Maslany, during the 72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements which streamed LIVE on Emmys.com on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
Camera

Laverne Cox announces this year's nominees for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series during the 72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements which streamed LIVE on Emmys.com on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
Camera

Laverne Cox announces this year's nominees for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series during the 72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements which streamed LIVE on Emmys.com on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements
Camera

Laverne Cox announces this year's nominees for Outstanding Competition Program during the 72nd Emmy Awards Nominations Announcements which streamed LIVE on Emmys.com on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Invision/AP
2019 Performers Nominee Reception
Camera

Laverne Cox at the 2019 Performers Nominee Reception on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards. 

Invision/ AP
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards.
Camera

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 71st Emmy Awards. 

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Camera

Laverne Cox, Tony Hale, Michael Kelly, Matt Walsh, and Lauren Lapkus are seen at the 2017 Performers Nominee Reception, presented by the Television Academy at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.

Invision/AP
2017 Performers Nominee Reception
Camera

Marsai Martin, Tituss Burgess, Anna Chlumsky, Jackie Hoffman, and Laverne Cox are seen at the 2017 Performers Nominee Reception, presented by the Television Academy at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in Beverly Hills, California.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox and BD Wong present an award at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox and BD Wong present an award at the 2017 Creative Arts Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox presents an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox presents an award at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys. 

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 2016 Primetime Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox

Invision/AP
Rachel Brosnahan and Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Rachel Brosnahan and Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Laverne Cox on the red carpet at the 67th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox of Orange is the New Black arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.
Camera

Laverne Cox of Orange is the New Black arrives at the 66th Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
The nominees attend the Performers nominee reception.
Camera

The nominees attend the Performers nominee reception.

Invision/AP
Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven, Danielle Brooks (c) and Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black attend the Performers nominee reception.
Camera

Angela Bassett (l) of American Horror Story: Coven, Danielle Brooks (c) and Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black attend the Performers nominee reception.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox (r) of Orange Is the New Black and Gloria Cox (l) at the 2014 Creative Arts Emmy ball.
Camera

Laverne Cox (r) of Orange Is the New Black and Gloria Cox (l) at the 2014 Creative Arts Emmy ball.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Natasha Lyonne (l), Uzo Aduba (c) and Laverne Cox (r) of Orange is the New Black at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Natasha Lyonne (l), Uzo Aduba (c) and Laverne Cox (r) of Orange is the New Black at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Presenters Laverne Cox (l) Uzo Aduba (c) and Natasha Lyonne (r) at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Presenters Laverne Cox (l) Uzo Aduba (c) and Natasha Lyonne (r) at the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox of Orange Is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox or Orange is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox or Orange is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox of Orange is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.
Camera

Laverne Cox of Orange is the New Black arrives for the 2014 Primetime Creative Arts Emmys.

Invision/AP
Laverne Cox, Christy Dees, Sherri Saum, Andrew Rannells, Stephen Tropiano, Paul Colichman, Amber Tamblyn, Wilson Cruz, and Dan Bucatinsky
Camera
Frank Micelotta/Invision
Laverne Cox
Camera
Frank Micelotta/Invision
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