Geena Davis

Virginia Elizabeth 'Geena' Davis, born January 21, 1956, is an American actress, activist, and producer. She is the recipient of several accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Davis made her acting debut in the romantic comedy Tootsie in 1982, and later starred in the science-fiction thriller The Fly in 1986. Her roles in both films were successful and brought her significant recognition. While the fantasy comedy Beetlejuice in 1988 brought Davis into prominence, it was the romantic drama The Accidental Tourist in the same year that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In her career, she solidified herself as a leading lady with road film Thelma & Louise and sports film A League of Their Own. However, her roles in box office failures Cutthroat Island and The Long Kiss Goodnight, both directed by her then-husband Renny Harlin, were followed by a brief career hiatus.

In 2004, Davis launched the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, working with the entertainment industry to increase the presence of female characters in media. Through her organization, she launched the annual Bentonville Film Festival in 2015 and executive produced the documentary This Changes Everything in 2018. For her work, she was awarded with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award by the Academy Awards in 2019 and with the Governors Award by the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022. She has had a prolific career, remaining active from 1982 to the present, and has demonstrated her ability in numerous roles and genres.