Laverne Cox

Laverne Cox, born on May 29, 1972, is a trailblazing American actress and LGBTQ rights advocate, best known for her groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset in the acclaimed Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Her performance not only captivated audiences but also made history as she became the first transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category, a significant milestone in the entertainment industry.

In addition to her Emmy nomination, Cox achieved another historic feat in 2015 when she won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Special as the executive producer of Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. This accolade marked her as the first transgender woman to receive such an honor, further solidifying her status as a pioneer in the field.

Cox's influence extends beyond acting; she made history again in 2017 by becoming the first transgender person to portray a transgender series regular on U.S. broadcast television with her role as Cameron Wirth on CBS's Doubt. Her journey in the entertainment industry began with her appearance as a contestant on VH1's reality show I Want to Work for Diddy, and she later co-produced and co-hosted the VH1 makeover series TRANSform Me.

Recognized for her advocacy, Cox was honored with the Stephen F. Kolzak Award by GLAAD in April 2014 for her tireless work on behalf of the transgender community. That same year, she made headlines as the first transgender person to grace the cover of Time magazine, and in February 2018, she became the first transgender individual to appear on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine's South African edition. Additionally, she is celebrated for being the first openly transgender person to have a wax figure of herself at Madame Tussauds.