9 Facts that Prove that Geena Davis is a Badass
Some facts about the Academy Award-winning Actress who is also a serious advocate for gender equality and diversity in the film industry and basically our sher-o:
1. First off, let’s assess the astrology sign, shall we? Davis is a Capricorn-Aquarius cusp baby, born January 21, 1956 in Wareham, Massachusetts. Cusp people rule the world, Geena. Thanks for the reminder.
2. Her film roles include The Fly, Beetlejuice, Thelma & Louise, The Long Kiss Goodnight and The Accidental Tourist for which she won the 1988 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress… But our favorite, of course, is her role as Dottie Hinson in A League of Their Own. Even though Dottie quit the game to scurry off to be a housewife, she still slayed at baseball and Geena showed us what life was like for the ladies in the dark pre-women’s lib era.
3. As if an Oscar wasn’t enough, Davis is also a Golden Globe winner. She took the Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series for her portrayal of MacKenzie Allen in Commander in Chief. Collect those awards like a boss, Geena… You’re halfway to EGOT status, girl.
4. Random life skill: Davis was a women’s Olympics archery team semi-finalist. Ok now you’re just showing of, Geena.
5. She also had a long-standing guest appearance ABC’s medical drama television series Grey’s Anatomy portraying surgeon Dr. Herman. Way to rock the positive-female-role-model vibe while working with another amazing crush-worthy goddess of entertainment that is Shonda Rimes. High five, Geena.
6. Her (fourth) husband in is an Iranian-American plastic surgeon with whom she has three children including a daughter and twin sons. No shame in the divorce game, Geena. Birthing two babies at once while raising another tiny human is no joke. Mad respect, Geena.
7. Davis spearheaded the largest research project ever undertaken on gender in children’s entertainment at the Annenberg School for Communication at USC that showed that there are 3 males for every 1 female character in nearly 400 rated-G, PG-13, and R-Rated movies. I mean, WTF is up with that? Thanks for bringing that to light for us, Geena.
8. Davis launched The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media in 2007, focused on reducing stereotyping females by a male-dominated film industry. Again, way to take it to the next level, Geena. You’re, like, inspiring us all over the place with your overachieving nature for a totally righteous cause, girl.
9. Just this week, Davis has launched an annual film festival to be held in Bentonville, Arkansas to highlight diversity in film, accepting films that prominently feature minorities and women in the cast and crew. The inaugural Bentonville Film Festival will occur May 5-9, 2015. Already kicking off 2015 with a bang, Geena. Making our vision board look pretty mediocre, girl.
Love you, Geena.
Image: Courtesy of Columbia Pictures
