Geena Davis is an American actress and producer best known for her role as Thelma Yvonne Dickinson in the 1991 film Thelma and Louise. Renowned for combining intelligence, emotional depth, and physical presence, Davis emerged as one of the most influential female performers of late-20th-century American cinema and became a prominent advocate for gender equality in media.

Early Life and Background

Geena Davis was born on January 21, 1956, in Wareham, Massachusetts, United States, to Lucille Davis and William Davis. Her birth name is Virginia Elizabeth Davis. She completed her high school education at New England College before enrolling at Boston University’s College of Fine Arts, from which she graduated with honors in 1979.

During her studies, Davis participated in a student exchange program in Sweden, an experience that enabled her to become fluent in Swedish. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she worked with the Zoli Modeling Agency while pursuing acting opportunities.

Career Beginnings

Before achieving recognition, Geena Davis supported herself through various jobs, including waitressing. Her breakthrough came in 1982 when she was cast in the film Tootsie, directed and produced by Sydney Pollack. Portraying April Page, she appeared alongside Dustin Hoffman, Bill Murray, and Jessica Lange. The film marked the beginning of her professional film career.

Following this success, Davis appeared in television series such as Family Ties and Buffalo Bill, gaining further visibility and experience in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Breakthrough and Recognition

In 1986, Geena Davis starred in The Fly, opposite Jeff Goldblum, delivering a performance that solidified her standing as a serious dramatic actress. Two years later, she gained widespread recognition with Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton, where she appeared alongside Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, and Catherine O'Hara.

Her performance in The Accidental Tourist (1988), in which she portrayed Muriel Pritchett, earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at the 61st Academy Awards, marking a major milestone in her career.

Thelma and Louise and Global Fame

In 1991, Geena Davis starred as Thelma Yvonne Dickinson in Thelma and Louise, directed by Ridley Scott. Appearing alongside Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, and Brad Pitt, the film became a cultural landmark and a defining feminist work in modern cinema.

Davis’s portrayal of Thelma was widely acclaimed for its emotional transformation and depth, firmly establishing her as a leading actress in Hollywood and cementing her place in film history.

Later Career and Achievements

Throughout the 1990s, Geena Davis continued to take on ambitious roles, including the action thriller The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996), in which she starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson. In 1999, she appeared in the family hit Stuart Little, alongside Hugh Laurie and the voice of Michael J. Fox.

In 2005, Davis starred in and produced the television series Commander in Chief, portraying the first female President of the United States. Her performance earned her the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Drama Series.

Beyond acting, Davis achieved a remarkable distinction by becoming a member of the United States Olympic archery team in 1999.

Personal Life

Geena Davis has been married four times. Her first marriage was to Richard Emmolo in 1982, ending in divorce in 1983. She married actor Jeff Goldblum in 1987; the couple divorced in 1990. Her third marriage was to director Renny Harlin in 1993, which ended in 1998. In 2001, she married neurosurgeon Reza Jarrahy. They have three children: a daughter, Alizeh Keshvar Davis Jarrahy, and twin sons, Kaiis Steven Jarrahy and Kian William Jarrahy.

Awards

1989 – Academy Awards – Best Supporting Actress, The Accidental Tourist
2006 – Golden Globe Awards – Best Actress (TV Drama), Commander in Chief

Filmography

Producer
2005 – Commander in Chief (TV Series)

Actor
2015 – Me Him Her – Mrs. Ehrlick
2014 – When Marnie Was There – Yoriko Sasaki (voice)
2013 – CinemAbility – Herself
2012 – Coma – Dr. Agnetta Lindquist (TV Series)
2009 – Accidents Happen – Gloria Conway
2008 – The 80th Annual Academy Awards – Herself (TV Special)
2005 – Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild – Eleanor Little (voice)
2005 – Commander in Chief – President Mackenzie Allen (TV Series)
2003 – AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains – Herself (TV Special)
2002 – Stuart Little 2 – Eleanor Little
2000 – Twentieth Century Fox: The Blockbuster Years – Veronica Quaife (archive footage) (TV Film)
1999 – Stuart Little – Eleanor Little
1998 – The 70th Annual Academy Awards – Herself (TV Special)
1996 – The Long Kiss Goodnight – Samantha Caine / Charly Baltimore
1995 – Cutthroat Island – Morgan Adams
1994 – Speechless – Julia Mann
1994 – Angie – Angie Scacciapensieri
1992 – Hero – Gale Gayley
1992 – A League of Their Own – Dottie Hinson
1991 – Thelma and Louise – Thelma Yvonne Dickinson
1990 – Quick Change – Phyllis Potter
1988 – The Accidental Tourist – Muriel Pritchett
1988 – Earth Girls Are Easy – Valerie
1988 – Beetlejuice – Barbara Maitland
1986 – The Fly – Veronica Quaife
1985 – Transylvania 6-5000 – Odette
1985 – Fletch – Larry
1984–1986 – Family Ties – Karen Nicholson (TV Series)
1983 – Buffalo Bill – Wendy Killian (TV Series)
1982 – Tootsie – April Page
1982 – Knight Rider (TV Series)

Source: Biyografiler.com