# Geena Davis > American actress (born 1956) **Wikidata**: [Q280098](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q280098) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geena_Davis) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/geena-davis ## Summary Geena Davis is an American actress, producer, and voice actor born on January 21, 1956. She is best known for her Academy Award-winning performance in "The Accidental Tourist" (1988) and her leading role in the television series "Commander in Chief." Davis has also established herself as a prominent advocate for gender representation in media through her founding of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media in 2004. ## Biography - **Born**: January 21, 1956 - **Nationality**: United States - **Full Name**: Virginia Elizabeth Davis - **Education**: Boston University; attended Boston University's College of Fine Arts; also attended other institutions including Q4948174, Q14705363, Q7969275 - **Known for**: Academy Award-winning actress; television producer; advocate for gender equality in media - **Employer(s)**: Film and television industry; Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (founder) - **Field(s)**: Film acting, television acting, voice acting, film producing, television producing - **Member of**: Mensa International (high IQ society founded 1946) - **Height**: 183.0 cm ## Contributions - **Acting Career**: Began work period in 1982, appearing in over 25 films throughout her career - **Academy Award Victory**: Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for "The Accidental Tourist" (1988) - **Television Success**: Won Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her role in "Commander in Chief" - **Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media**: Founded in 2004 as an American nonprofit research organization focused on reducing gender disparities in media content; the institute conducts research and advocates for more balanced representation of women in film and television - **Voice Acting**: Provided voice work for various animated characters and productions - **Humanitarian Work**: Received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences - **Lucy Award**: Received recognition for excellence in television from the Women in Film organization ## FAQs **What is Geena Davis best known for?** Geena Davis is best known for her Academy Award-winning performance as a supporting actress in "The Accidental Tourist" (1988) and her pioneering work advocating for gender representation in media through the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. **What awards has Geena Davis won?** Davis has won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for "Commander in Chief," the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, and the Lucy Award. **What is the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media?** Founded in 2004, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media is a nonprofit research organization based in the United States that studies gender representation in media and advocates for increasing female representation in film and television. **Is Geena Davis a member of Mensa?** Yes, Geena Davis is a member of Mensa International, the high IQ society founded in 1946. **What is Geena Davis's educational background?** Geena Davis attended Boston University, specifically the College of Fine Arts, and also studied at other educational institutions. **How tall is Geena Davis?** Geena Davis is 183.0 cm tall. **When did Geena Davis begin her career?** Geena Davis began her professional career in 1982. ## Why They Matter Geena Davis matters significantly in multiple spheres. As an actress, she broke through with her Oscar-winning performance, establishing herself as a versatile performer capable of both dramatic and comedic roles. Her portrayal in "The Accidental Tourist" demonstrated her ability to hold the screen alongside established stars and contributed to her lasting place in Hollywood history. Perhaps more importantly, Davis has become a transformative figure in the push for gender equality in the entertainment industry. Through the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, she has brought rigorous research to bear on the systemic underrepresentation of women in film and television. The institute's findings have influenced industry discussions and prompted studios to examine their own practices regarding gender diversity. Her work in founding and leading this research organization represents a shift from celebrity activism to evidence-based advocacy. By commissioning studies, presenting data, and engaging with industry leaders, Davis has helped move the conversation about gender representation from anecdotal complaints to measurable metrics with concrete recommendations for improvement. In television, her Golden Globe-winning performance in "Commander in Chief" demonstrated her ability to carry a dramatic series and brought attention to stories about women in leadership positions. Her willingness to take on roles that challenge gender norms has expanded the types of characters available to female actors in mainstream entertainment. ## Notable For - Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress ("The Accidental Tourist," 1988) - Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama ("Commander in Chief") - Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient - Lucy Award recipient - Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (2004) - Member of Mensa International - Height: 183 cm, making her one of taller actresses in Hollywood - Film career spanning from 1982 to present - Work across film, television, and voice acting ## Body ### Early Life and Education Geena Davis was born Virginia Elizabeth Davis on January 21, 1956, in the United States. She pursued higher education at Boston University, where she attended the College of Fine Arts, training for a career in performance. Her educational background provided the foundation for her subsequent work in film, television, and voice acting. ### Acting Career Davis began her professional career in 1982, entering the entertainment industry at a time when opportunities for women in leading roles were limited. Her early work in film established her reputation as a talented and versatile performer capable of handling both dramatic and comedic material. Her breakthrough came with the 1988 film "The Accidental Tourist," in which she played a supporting role that earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences marked her as a significant talent in Hollywood and opened doors to more prominent roles. Throughout her career, Davis has appeared in over 25 films, establishing herself as a consistent presence in American cinema. Her filmography spans multiple genres, demonstrating her range as an actress. In addition to her film work, Davis has maintained a successful career in television, appearing in various series and television movies. ### Television Work and Recognition Davis's television work has earned her critical acclaim and industry recognition. She won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama for her performance in "Commander in Chief," a political drama in which she played a female president. This role was significant in its portrayal of a woman in the highest office, contributing to broader conversations about gender representation in media. Her television career has included appearances in various productions, leveraging her skills as both a television actor and television producer. The combination of acting and producing has allowed her to have creative influence beyond her performances on screen. ### Voice Acting Beyond live-action work, Davis has contributed as a voice actor, providing vocal performances for animated characters in films, television, and other media. This aspect of her career demonstrates her versatility as a performer and her willingness to explore different formats within the entertainment industry. ### Advocacy and the Geena Davis Institute Perhaps the most significant contribution Davis has made beyond her acting career is the establishment of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media. Founded in 2004, this nonprofit research organization is dedicated to studying and improving gender representation in the entertainment industry. The institute conducts research on the portrayal of women and girls in media, publishes findings on gender disparities, and works with industry partners to implement changes. Davis's approach has been notably data-driven, using empirical evidence to support calls for greater representation of women in film and television. The organization's work has included studies on the Bechdel Test, representation of female characters in family films, and the prevalence of women in speaking roles across various film genres. These research efforts have provided ammunition for advocates pushing for change and have helped quantify the scope of gender imbalance in entertainment. ### Recognition and Awards Davis's body of work has earned her numerous awards and recognitions. In addition to her Academy Award and Golden Globe, she has received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which is given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for outstanding humanitarian efforts. This award reflects her commitment to using her platform for positive change. She has also received the Lucy Award from Women in Film, which recognizes excellence in television. This award specifically honors achievements by women in the entertainment industry, making it a particularly meaningful recognition for Davis given her advocacy work. ### Membership and Personal Attributes Davis is a member of Mensa International, the high IQ society founded in 1946. With a height of 183.0 cm, she is notably taller than average, which has sometimes influenced the types of roles available to her and contributed to her distinctive screen presence. ### Industry Influence Davis's dual career as both an actress and an advocate has positioned her uniquely in the entertainment industry. She has been able to leverage her fame and credibility as an Oscar winner to bring attention to issues of gender representation. Her institute's research has been cited in academic papers, industry reports, and media coverage of gender issues in Hollywood. The influence of her advocacy work extends beyond simple awareness-raising. By providing concrete data and recommendations, the Geena Davis Institute has offered actionable pathways for change. Studios and content creators have used the institute's research to inform decisions about casting, character development, and overall content strategy. ### Legacy Geena Davis's legacy encompasses both her achievements as an actress and her transformative work in advocacy. As an actress, she demonstrated that women could carry serious dramatic roles and achieve the highest recognition in the industry. As an advocate, she has helped shift conversations about gender in media from informal complaints to systematic analysis and evidence-based recommendations. Her willingness to use her platform for advocacy has inspired other celebrities to engage in similar efforts, while her institute's research has provided a foundation for ongoing work in this area. The entertainment industry continues to grapple with questions of representation that Davis has helped bring to the forefront, and her contributions to this ongoing conversation remain significant. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. BnF authorities 3. [Source](https://archive.org/details/peoplecelebrityf00time?q=%22Richard+Emmolo%22) 4. [Source](https://archive.org/details/unset0000unse_s6q7?q=%22Richard+Emmolo%22) 5. Kinorium 6. datos.bne.es 7. CineMagia 8. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1989) 9. [WIF Awards Retrospective. 2020](https://womeninfilm.org/updates/wif-awards-retrospective/) 10. IMDb 11. [Geena Davis Academy Awards Acceptance Speech](https://aaspeechesdb.oscars.org/link/092-204/) 12. International Standard Name Identifier 13. CiNii Research 14. MusicBrainz 15. Integrated Authority File 16. SNAC 17. GeneaStar 18. Munzinger Personen 19. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 20. CONOR.SI 21. The Movie Database 22. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data 23. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/geena-davis-107a4Yqtmt/appearances)