This statuesque actress has experienced as much drama off screen as on, including four marriages, three children, one Oscar, and a wealth of high-profile blockbusters and bombs. Davis initially tried her luck at television with guest appearances on numerous series and regular roles on two short-lived sitcoms in the '80s, but film turned out to be her medium. Her model looks and loopy persona were showcased in both comedies and dramas, such as
The Accidental Tourist and
The Fly, opposite then-husband Jeff Goldblum. Her star shined brightly until the mid-'90s when her new spouse, Renny Harlin, directed her in two bloated action movies (
The Long Kiss Goodnight and
Cutthroat Island). They both flopped, as did the couple's marriage. In 2000, Davis returned to television with a short-lived eponymous sitcom. But her second attempt at a series,
Commander in Chief, in which she played the first female President of the United States, thrust her back into the spotlight and earned her a Golden Globe, even though the show had trouble finding an audience and was canceled after one season.
Geena Davis Fast Facts:
- Was an exchange student in Sweden during her senior year of high school.
- Member of Mensa with an IQ reportedly over 140.
- Director Sydney Pollack cast her in 1982's Tootsie after seeing her in a Victoria's Secret catalogue.
- Costarred in three movies with ex-husband Jeff Goldblum: Transylvania 6-5000, The Fly and Earth Girls Are Easy.
- She's Hollywood's straightest arrow, the quip goes, because she tried out for the U.S. archery team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She came in 24th out of 28 women in a qualifying competition.
- Founded the organization See Jane, which seeks to improve the portrayal and visibility of girls and women in media.
- Geena Davis Relationships:
- Alizeh Keshvar Jarrahy - Daughter
- Dan Davis - Brother
- Kaiis Steven Jarrahy - Son
- Kian William Jarrahy - Son
- Lucille Davis - Mother
- Reza Jarrahy - Husband
- Richard Emmolo - Ex-husband
- William Davis - Father
- Jeff Goldblum - Ex-husband
- Renny Harlin - Ex-husband
- Geena Davis Awards:
- 1992 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama - Nominee
- 1993 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 1995 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy - Nominee
- 2006 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama - Winner
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1991 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role - Nominee
- 1988 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Winner
- College:
- Attended New England College, Henniker, NH; Boston University, Boston, MA (BFA in Drama, 1979)
