Geena Davis Then and Now

Geena Davis Then

Geena Davis was born on January 21, 1956, in Wareham, Massachusetts, to parents Lucille and William.

Her mother worked as a teacher’s assistant, while her father was a civil engineer. 

Growing up in a household that valued education and hard work, Davis developed a strong foundation that would support her future endeavors. 

From an early age, she displayed a passion for music, learning to play the piano, flute, and organ. 

Her dedication to music extended to her role as an organist at her local Congregationalist church during her teenage years, showcasing her commitment and talent.

Davis attended Wareham High School, where her academic and extracurricular activities reflected her diverse interests. 

A pivotal moment in her education came when she participated in an exchange program in Sweden. 

This experience not only broadened her cultural perspective but also enabled her to become fluent in Swedish, adding to her already impressive skill set. 

Following high school, Davis pursued higher education at Boston University, where she earned a degree in drama.

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This academic achievement laid the groundwork for her future career in the entertainment industry.

While working towards her degree, Davis took on an unusual job as a window mannequin for Ann Taylor. 

This role not only provided her with a unique work experience but also opened doors to the modeling world.

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Her striking appearance and poise caught the attention of the Zoli modeling agency, leading to a modeling contract that would serve as a stepping stone to her acting career. 

Geena Davis’s early life, marked by her musical talents, academic pursuits, and modeling opportunities, set the stage for her eventual success in Hollywood.

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Geena Davis Acting Career

During her modeling career, Geena Davis secured her first acting role in the 1982 film “Tootsie,” which became a monumental success. 

As the second most profitable film of that year, “Tootsie” earned ten Oscar nominations and remains a cult classic. 

This role catapulted Davis into the acting world, leading to appearances in various television productions such as “Buffalo Bill,” “Knight Rider,” “Riptide,” and “Family Ties.”

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In 1984, she starred in her own series, “Sara,” though it only lasted 13 episodes. 

That same year, she auditioned for the role of Sarah Connor in “Terminator,” but the part ultimately went to Linda Hamilton. 

Despite this, Davis continued to build her filmography with a role alongside Chevy Chase in the 1985 film “Fletch,” where she played a colleague of an undercover reporter exposing drug trafficking in Los Angeles.

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In 1985, Davis starred with Jeff Goldblum in the horror comedy “Transylvania 6-5000,” and their professional relationship continued with the 1986 sci-fi thriller “The Fly,” which was a commercial hit and further established Davis in Hollywood.

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The pair reunited once more for the 1987 comedy “Earth Girls Are Easy.” 

Her career took a significant turn in 1988 when Tim Burton cast her in the successful film “Beetlejuice,” where she played a ghost haunting her former home. 

That same year, Davis earned her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in “The Accidental Tourist.”

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She continued to garner critical acclaim with a nomination for another Oscar for her role opposite Susan Sarandon in the 1991 film “Thelma & Louise.” 

In 1992, Davis starred alongside Tom Hanks and Madonna in “A League of Their Own,” a film about an all-female baseball team, which was a box-office success and earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

Davis’s next film, “Hero,” in 1992, did not perform well at the box office, but her performance was praised by critics like Roger Ebert. 

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In 1994, she starred in “Angie” and “Speechless.” While “Angie” was a commercial failure, “Speechless” earned her a Golden Globe nomination despite mixed reviews and modest box office returns. 

She then collaborated with her then-husband, director Renny Harlin, on the films “Cutthroat Island” and “The Long Kiss Goodnight.” 

Davis found success in family films, playing Eleanor Little in “Stuart Little” in 1999, and reprised her role in its sequels “Stuart Little 2” and “Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild.”

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In television, Davis starred in “The Geena Davis Show” for one season from 2000 to 2001 and later took on the role of the first female president of the United States in the ABC series “Commander in Chief,” earning a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2006. 

Although the series was canceled after one season, her performance earned her nominations for an Emmy and a SAG award.

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In 2009, she played a strict mother in the Australian film “Accidents Happen,” where she was the only American actor cast.

Davis continued to diversify her roles, playing the grown-up Regan MacNeil in the 2016 series “The Exorcist” and having a recurring role as Dr. Nicole Herman in “Grey’s Anatomy” from 2014 to 2018. 

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In 2018, she executive produced the documentary “This Changes Everything,” focusing on gender discrimination in Hollywood.

In 2019, Davis joined the cast of Netflix’s “Glow” as Sandy Devereaux St. Clair, further showcasing her versatility and enduring presence in the entertainment industry.

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Geena Davis Movies

• Tootsie (1982)
• Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)
• Fletch (1985)
• The Fly (1986)
• Beetlejuice (1988)
• The Accidental Tourist (1988)
• Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
• The Fly II (1989) – Archive footage (uncredited)
• Quick Change (1990)
• Thelma & Louise (1991)
• A League of Their Own (1992)
• Hero (1992)
• Angie (1994)
• Speechless (1994)
• Cutthroat Island (1995)
• The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
• Stuart Little (1999)
• Stuart Little 2 (2002)
• Stuart Little 3: Call of the Wild (2005)
• Accidents Happen (2009)
• In a World… (2013)
• Marjorie Prime (2017)
• Don’t Talk to Irene (2017)
• This Changes Everything (2018)
• Glow (2019)
• Ava (2020)
• Fairyland (2023)
• Blink Twice (2024)

Geena Davis’ Personal Life

Geena Davis’ personal life has seen its share of ups and downs, marked by several marriages and a notable controversy. 

Her first marriage was to restaurateur Richard Emmolo, which lasted from 1982 to 1983. 

She then married fellow actor Jeff Goldblum in 1987, but their union ended in divorce in 1990 after three years.

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In 1993, Davis married Finnish film director Renny Harlin after a whirlwind romance of just five months. 

However, their relationship encountered significant turmoil when Davis filed for divorce in August 1997, shortly after Harlin’s personal assistant gave birth to his child. 

The divorce proceedings were finalized in June 1998, marking the end of their four-year marriage.

Following her split from Harlin, Davis began a relationship with Iranian-American neurosurgeon Reza Jarrahy.

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They reportedly married in September 2001 and welcomed three children together. 

However, their relationship faced a legal and public controversy when Jarrahy filed for divorce in May 2018, citing their separation date as November 15, 2017. 

In a surprising turn of events, Davis responded by filing a petition asserting that she and Jarrahy were never legally married, challenging the validity of their purported marriage.

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The legal proceedings surrounding Davis’s marital status with Jarrahy brought attention to complex issues of personal and legal definition, highlighting the challenges individuals can face in navigating relationships and legal frameworks. 

Throughout these personal challenges, Geena Davis has continued to focus on her career and advocacy work, maintaining a resilient presence in both Hollywood and broader social issues.

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Geena Davis Now

Geena Davis, at 68 years old, continues to impress audiences with her multifaceted talents in Hollywood. 

Renowned as both an actress and activist, Davis has accumulated a diverse array of accolades throughout her career, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. 

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Her contributions to film extend beyond acting; she is also recognized as a writer, producer, and model, showcasing her versatility and dedication to the entertainment industry.

In 2024, Davis appeared in the film “Blink Twice,” marking another chapter in her enduring career.

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Known for her ability to embody a range of characters across various genres, Davis’s role in “Blink Twice” underscores her ongoing commitment to challenging roles and engaging storytelling. 

Her presence in the film industry remains influential, reflecting her ability to adapt and excel in an ever-evolving cinematic landscape.

Beyond her professional achievements, Geena Davis has also amassed considerable financial success, with a reported net worth of $30 million.

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This financial milestone not only underscores her successful career but also highlights her business acumen and the value she brings to projects both in front of and behind the camera. 

Davis’s career trajectory, marked by critical acclaim, financial success, and a commitment to social advocacy, solidifies her place as a prominent figure in American cinema and culture.

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