Geena Davis rose from modeling in the late 1970s to becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars of the 1980s and early 1990s. Born in 1958 in Massachusetts, she grew up in a strict, old-fashioned household and has described her childhood as sheltered and “underexposed” to the outside world.
She discovered early a love for performing and later moved to New York, working various jobs before entering modeling. Her big break came when she was cast in Tootsie (1982), launching her acting career.
Davis went on to star in major films including The Fly, Beetlejuice, The Accidental Tourist (which earned her an Oscar), A League of Their Own, and especially Thelma & Louise, which made her an iconic Hollywood figure.
Despite her success, she faced childhood trauma, bullying over her height, and later a decline in roles after turning 40. She has spoken openly about abuse she suffered as a child and how it shaped her personality and silence.
Later in life, she became a mother in her 40s and focused on family and advocacy. She founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to fight inequality in Hollywood. Today, she continues acting and remains active in the industry.