Laverne Cox: The award-winning actress and activist's career in pictures
USA TODAY
![Happy birthday, Laverne Cox! The award-winning actress and activist celebrates her 49th birthday on May 29, 2021. Take a look at her career in photos.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/7d28dc8a-54da-428c-b9ff-58bb45dfa7fb-001_GettyImages-1181835353.jpg?width=457&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Happy birthday, Laverne Cox! The award-winning actress and activist celebrates her 49th birthday on May 29, 2021. Take a look at her career in photos.
Jean-Baptiste Lacroix, AFP Via Getty ImagesCox's breakout role came in 2013 as Sophia Burset in Netflix's Emmy-award winning series, "Orange is The New Black."
Jojo Whilden,Netflix![She posed with cast members at the premiere of Netflix ' s " Derek " in 2013. From left to right: " OITNB " author Piper Kerman, and stars Jackie Cruz, Yael Stone, Dascha Polanco, Lea DeLaria, Matt McGorry, Cox and Uzo Aduba.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/a4fef4be-06ce-4a62-8b28-d5ff16011ef8-003_GettyImages-179638587.jpg?width=660&height=518&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She posed with cast members at the premiere of Netflix's "Derek" in 2013. From left to right: "OITNB" author Piper Kerman, and stars Jackie Cruz, Yael Stone, Dascha Polanco, Lea DeLaria, Matt McGorry, Cox and Uzo Aduba.
Dave Kotinsky, Getty Images![She stood onstage with her mother, Gloria, at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards, where she recieved the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is given to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/8d409a5e-6eac-45b9-88bb-2c0a9680c15f-004_GettyImages-484512047.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She stood onstage with her mother, Gloria, at the 2014 GLAAD Media Awards, where she recieved the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is given to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality.
Gabriel Olsen, Getty Images![Cox (right) posed with co-stars Danielle Brooks, Aduba, Laura Prepon, and Natasha Lyonne at the 2014 Critics ' Choice Television Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/eabd6871-cbef-4b91-90bd-aed17d8d6327-005_GettyImages-450902464.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox (right) posed with co-stars Danielle Brooks, Aduba, Laura Prepon, and Natasha Lyonne at the 2014 Critics' Choice Television Awards.
Michael Buckner![She stunned in a simple black gown at Logo TV ' s " Trailblazers " event in 2014.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/6a23079c-86f4-410f-834c-8f21fdad575b-006_GettyImages-451120002.jpg?width=660&height=467&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She stunned in a simple black gown at Logo TV's "Trailblazers" event in 2014.
Bryan Bedder![Cox attended the 2014 Pride March in New York City with Delores Nettles, mother of slain transgender woman Islan Nettles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/9455e213-1831-4d7a-a1f3-7813bfbe257a-007_GettyImages-451476434.jpg?width=660&height=449&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox attended the 2014 Pride March in New York City with Delores Nettles, mother of slain transgender woman Islan Nettles.
Eric Thayer, Getty Images![Aduba, Cox and their " Orange " co-star, Taylor Schilling, waved to the crowd at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/bf719fb5-72c3-4d52-a3cb-f41bc99b3104-008_GettyImages-454105930.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Aduba, Cox and their "Orange" co-star, Taylor Schilling, waved to the crowd at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.
Mark Davis, Getty ImagesCox was a vision in a sweeping white Marc Bouwer gown at the 2014 Emmy Awards.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY![And stunned the following spring during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/5509a5e7-8071-45db-9bf9-a7975480e632-010_GettyImages-463313424.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
And stunned the following spring during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.
Frazer Harrison![She also attended New York Fashion Week on Sept. 13, 2015.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/c5eb62e4-b7f1-4aad-a17d-d59ee8f48a34-012_GettyImages-488131370.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She also attended New York Fashion Week on Sept. 13, 2015.
Cindy Ord![Cox chose a bold lip color for the opening night of Broadway ' s " School of Rock " on Dec. 6, 2015.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/a1b32d64-9947-4fb5-aed7-ebba8f38ef91-013_GettyImages-500249692.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox chose a bold lip color for the opening night of Broadway's "School of Rock" on Dec. 6, 2015.
Brad Barket, Getty ImagesShe appeared as Dr. Frank N. Furter in 2016's "Rock Horror Picture Show" TV special, alongside Ryan McCartan (left) and Victoria Justice (right).
Steve Wilkie, FOX![Seen here with her Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding ensemble in a comedy series, Cox posed in the press room at the 2016 awards show.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/e6ed4809-57c1-40c5-bc62-36692d546637-015_GettyImages-507646096.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Seen here with her Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding ensemble in a comedy series, Cox posed in the press room at the 2016 awards show.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images![She showed off her curls at the 2016 Entertainment Weekly and People Upfronts party in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/67dc43be-1bd8-4483-927e-9a84de620299-016_GettyImages-531808720.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She showed off her curls at the 2016 Entertainment Weekly and People Upfronts party in New York.
Dave Kotinsky![Cox reunited with her " Rocky Horror " co-star Justice and joined John Cena onstage at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/bf1e1df1-2184-4526-abfe-f1291781977b-017_GettyImages-584909934.jpg?width=660&height=439&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox reunited with her "Rocky Horror" co-star Justice and joined John Cena onstage at the 2016 Teen Choice Awards.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![She presented at the 2016 Emmy Awards in a gold beaded gown by Naeem Khan.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/2670d20c-ba80-447e-8bef-0df38dd5d762-018_GettyImages-607638170.jpg?width=660&height=461&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She presented at the 2016 Emmy Awards in a gold beaded gown by Naeem Khan.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![Seeing double? Cox posed with her " Rocky Horror " -themed wax figure at Madam Tussauds in Hollywood on Oct. 13, 2016.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/926a98fc-0abc-46a0-b424-eaffe08a098e-019_GettyImages-614384496.jpg?width=499&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Seeing double? Cox posed with her "Rocky Horror"-themed wax figure at Madam Tussauds in Hollywood on Oct. 13, 2016.
Rachel Murray![Friendship goals: Cox posed with Beyonc é at the 2017 Grammy Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/bbfb750c-9365-4d69-a183-0bc1aa2d7f7b-020_GettyImages-635008114.jpg?width=660&height=466&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Friendship goals: Cox posed with Beyoncé at the 2017 Grammy Awards.
Christopher Polk, Getty Images For NARAS![She went for a shimmering bronze look at the 2017 Outfest Legacy Awards in Los Angeles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/a7ec8dc5-b733-42f1-9985-c937399a953f-021_GettyImages-865285194.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She went for a shimmering bronze look at the 2017 Outfest Legacy Awards in Los Angeles.
Phillip Faraone![The following month, Cox joined Chelsea Clinton and journalist Alex Wagner at the Glamour Celebrates 2017 Women of the Year live summit.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/c00c559d-0d4c-4d7e-84b9-abb755ede014-022_GettyImages-873634234.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The following month, Cox joined Chelsea Clinton and journalist Alex Wagner at the Glamour Celebrates 2017 Women of the Year live summit.
Craig Barritt![And she joined Mario Lopez for the AHF World AIDS Day Concert on Nov. 30, 2017 in Los Angeles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/089b8dc8-bb9e-4b32-b6d8-ea82f7a551e4-023_GettyImages-883400826.jpg?width=660&height=428&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
And she joined Mario Lopez for the AHF World AIDS Day Concert on Nov. 30, 2017 in Los Angeles.
Tommaso Boddi, Getty Images For AIDS Healthcare FoundationIn 2017, Cox appeared alongside Katherine Heigl in the CBS drama "Doubt."
Jojo Whilden, CBS![Squad goals: She sat with Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Molly Shannon and Cardi B at the Christian Siriano fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Feb. 10, 2018.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/dd5cfd15-dd6b-4235-ba1e-6d5e1611c5ec-025_GettyImages-916721822.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Squad goals: She sat with Whoopi Goldberg, Meg Ryan, Molly Shannon and Cardi B at the Christian Siriano fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Feb. 10, 2018.
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images![Cox showed off a special sleeve moment at the Los Angeles Confidential Celebration for Portraits of Pride with GLAAD and Laverne Cox on June 4, 2018.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/5fb100ee-c337-4d23-a1a6-517475209862-028_GettyImages-967579254.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox showed off a special sleeve moment at the Los Angeles Confidential Celebration for Portraits of Pride with GLAAD and Laverne Cox on June 4, 2018.
Phillip Faraone, Getty Images For Los Angeles Con![She also spoke at the Families Belong Together Freedom for Immigrants March at Los Angeles City Hall on June 30, 2018.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/a0611229-f260-4927-bdfe-281cafa84212-029_GettyImages-988393538.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She also spoke at the Families Belong Together Freedom for Immigrants March at Los Angeles City Hall on June 30, 2018.
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images For Families Belong Together LARosario Dawson laughed as Cox spoke during an event at Tribeca TV Festival on Sept. 22, 2018.
Cindy Ord, (Credit Too Long, See Caption)![She spoke at Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth on Oct. 24, 2018.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/d1306acb-2232-4c23-8841-d2404a99ec6d-031_GettyImages-1052963798.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She spoke at Boston Alliance of LGBTQ Youth on Oct. 24, 2018.
Natasha Moustache, Getty Images![Joined by Awkwafna, Cox presented nominations for the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Dec. 12, 2018.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/2cb0dc55-d500-4704-ab8d-5a86d8cd00ef-032_GettyImages-1081535416.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Joined by Awkwafna, Cox presented nominations for the 25th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on Dec. 12, 2018.
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images For Turner![Cox spoke at the 2019 Women ' s March in California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/251fac0c-2353-47ed-9fe2-3470e98f4b35-033_GettyImages-1096665384.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox spoke at the 2019 Women's March in California.
Sarah Morris, Getty Images![A few days later, she attended the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/956256af-593b-4be8-b12f-549c99a2daeb-034_GettyImages-1090535662.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A few days later, she attended the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Presley Ann, Getty Images![Cox made an iconic entrance on the runway to close out the 11 Honore fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Feb. 6, 2019.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/18d1d782-d440-4450-8281-71701f21b45f-035_GettyImages-1094590854.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Cox made an iconic entrance on the runway to close out the 11 Honore fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Feb. 6, 2019.
Mike Coppola, Getty Images For NYFW: The ShowsFor the 2019 Met Gala theme, "Camp: Notes on Fashion," Cox arrived in a black ruffled design from Christian Siriano, complete with teal hair.
Dia Dipasupil, FilmMagicBut she was back to blonde a few months later at the final season premiere of "Orange is The New Black."
Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty ImagesCox arrived at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards in a black strapless gown from Zac Posen.
Amy Sussman, Getty Images![Days later at the Emmy Awards, she chose a purple and black ruffled Monsoori dress.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/d7053eca-b560-4253-98b3-b5667b7ba6e6-039_USATSI_13400431.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Days later at the Emmy Awards, she chose a purple and black ruffled Monsoori dress.
Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY Network![On Oct. 8, 2019, she joined actor Sara Ramirez (left) and attorney Chase Strangio to demonstrate in favor of LGBTQ+ rights rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/136b9dc2-e969-4606-9e1f-eb241d8a291f-040_GettyImages-1174519180.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
On Oct. 8, 2019, she joined actor Sara Ramirez (left) and attorney Chase Strangio to demonstrate in favor of LGBTQ+ rights rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, DC.
Saul Loeb, AFP Via Getty Images![In 2020, she appeared alongside Carey Mulligan (left) in the Oscar-nominated " Promising Young Woman. " The two are pictured here with director/writer Emerald Fennell (center).](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/6bc84d24-92a8-4f4d-8c43-2bd188d59d3c-041_AP_Film_-_Awards_Season.jpg?width=660&height=459&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
In 2020, she appeared alongside Carey Mulligan (left) in the Oscar-nominated "Promising Young Woman." The two are pictured here with director/writer Emerald Fennell (center).
Merie Weismiller Wallace, Focus Features Via AP![Stunning in purple, Cox spoke on stage at Matrix Destination 2020 on Jan. 20, 2020 in Orlando.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/d7ea840e-6e80-4ee4-aafb-32b3e3ed539f-042_GettyImages-1195145953.jpg?width=481&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Stunning in purple, Cox spoke on stage at Matrix Destination 2020 on Jan. 20, 2020 in Orlando.
Jennifer Graylock, Getty Images For Matrix![More recently, she presented the Emmy award for comedy or drama sound editing at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 16, 2020.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/21/USAT/61684eae-b949-40ad-b7f4-345f79d7c099-043_AP20261085297307.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
More recently, she presented the Emmy award for comedy or drama sound editing at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sept. 16, 2020.
Danny Moloshok, Invision/APFeatured Weekly Ad