Happy birthday, Geena Davis! The actress celebrates her 65th birthday on Jan. 21, 2021. In honor of her big day, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at her life in photos. Keep reading for more…
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Geena Davis was born Virginia Elizabeth Davis in Massachusetts on Jan. 21, 1956. Her path to stardom started with some modeling gigs. After graduating from Boston University with a drama degree, Geena (seen here in 1983) worked as a window mannequin for Ann Taylor and did more modeling — she’s a statuesque 6 feet tall — before she got her first big break…
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While still working as a model, director Sydney Pollack cast Geena Davis in his wildly successful 1982 film “Tootsie.” She’s seen here opposite titular star Dustin Hoffman in the film.
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The mid-’80s saw Geena Davis guest starring on a number of popular TV shows. She landed a role opposite Pierce Brosnan on “Remington Steele” (seen here) and popped up on shows like “Knight Rider,” “Riptide” and “Family Ties.”
Geena Davis was married to restaurateur Richard Emmolo from 1981 until they split in 1983, but she found love again in 1985. While working on the film “Transylvania 6-5000,” she met actor Jeff Goldblum. The two teamed up again the following year for the 1986 film “The Fly” (seen here).
Wedding bells rang in 1987 when Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum tied the knot in November 1987. The newlyweds are seen here at a Cirque du Soleil performance the following year.
1988 saw Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum team up for their third and final film together — “Earth Girls Are Easy.” The comedy also featured funny stars like Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans and Julie Brown.
Geena Davis starred in the hit movie “Beetlejuice” in 1988 alongside Alec Baldwin, Michael Keaton and WInona Ryder. The Tim Burton project was both a commercial and critical darling that ended up winning an Academy Award for best makeup.
Geena Davis took home the best supporting actress Oscar at the Academy Awards in 1989 for her work in “The Accidental Tourist.” It was the star’s very first nomination!
It’s over! After three years of marriage, Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum went their separate ways in 1990. They’re seen here at one of their final public outings together — the 1990 Oscars. Their divorce was finalized in 1991.
In 1991, Geena Davis hit the big screen in one of her most iconic movies ever — “Thelma and Louise.” She starred opposite Susan Sarandon in the buddy flick and famously made out with a young Brad Pitt in the film, which ended up being both a critical and commercial hit. She earned best actress nominations at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes.
Next up? Another smash hit! Geena Davis followed up “Thelma and Louise” with the equally beloved “A League of Their Own.” The sports comedy-drama followed a women’s baseball league and also starred Tom Hanks, Madonna and Rosie O’Donnell. Geena scored another Golden Globe nomination for her work in the film.
Third time’s the charm? Geena Davis wed Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin, who directed “Die Hard 2” and “Cliffhanger,” in September 1993. The couple — seen here the same year they said “I do” — had been dating for only five months.
1994’s “Speechless” saw Geena Davis in a romantic comedy as she teamed up once again with Michael Keaton. Hubby Renny Harlin co-produced the flick with Geena, and she picked up another Golden Globe nomination for her work in the film.
Not long after their 1995 pirate action movie “Cutthroat Island” — he directed, she starred — bombed at the box office, Geena Davis filed to divorce from Renny Harlin in 1997. But the movie wasn’t the problem: The Mirror reported that Geena — seen here with Renny at the Cannes Film Festival the same year — ended things after learning her personal assistant had given birth to his child following a secret affair.
In 1998, Geena Davis started dating craniofacial surgeon Reza Jarrahy after meeting him through mutual friends. They’re seen here at the Los Angeles premiere of “Stuart Little” in 1999.
In 1999, Geena Davis graced the big screen as a family matriarch in the hit kids film “Stuart Little.” It spawned a 2002 sequel in which she also appeared.
In May 1999, Geena Davis received an honorary doctorate of fine arts degree from her alma mater, Boston University.
Being a movie star and receiving an honorary doctorate weren’t enough to keep Geena Davis busy in 1999. That year, she attempted to qualify for the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, vying for a spot on the archery team. despite her skills with a bow and arrow, Geena ultimately placed 24th out of 300 women and didn’t make the cut.
Legends only! Geena Davis was on hand for the Women in Film Crystal Awards in June 1998 where she posed alongside fellow superstars Meryl Streep and Carrie Fisher.
2000 saw Geena Davis head to the small screen for her very own sitcom — “The Geena Davis Show” — co-starring Peter Horton. Though it only aired for one season, it would lead to a few other successful television roles for the actress.
After dating for three years, Geena Davis and Reza Jarrahy (seen here in 1999) exchanged vows in September 2001. Whether or not this was an actual legal wedding would become a point of contention in the future, but after the ceremony, the couple settled into wedded bliss and welcomed daughter Alizeh the following year in April.
In 2004, Geena Davis and Reza Jarrahy expanded their family further. They welcomed twin sons, Kaiis and Kian, in May when Geena waas 48. The couple are seen here at an event in Los Angeles just month before the boys’ arrival.
“Commander in Chief” hit TV screens in 2005. It starred Geena Davis as the first female president of the United States. The ABC drama was a big hit and ultimately earned Geena her first Golden Globe Award.
In 2007, Geena Davis launched the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which aimed to work with the entertainment industry to increase the presence of female characters and reduce female stereotypes in media. She’s seen here speaking at the institute’s first industry conference in January 2008.
Twenty-two years after starring in “Thelma and Louise,” Geena Davis reunited with co-star Susan Sarandon at an event in 2013. The pals posed together on the red carpet at a charity gala for Heifer International, a global nonprofit that works to eradicate poverty and hunger.
In 2014, Geena Davis joined the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy.” She signed on to portray Dr. Nicole Herman in a recurring role that ran through 2015. She returned to the character in 2018.
Geena Davis made a May 2017 event for the UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital a family affair, bringing hubby Reza Jarrahy, daughter Alizeh and twin sons Kian and Kaiis along.
Geena Davis and Reza Jarrahy’s union came to an end in 2018 when Reza filed for divorce. The split quickly turned contentious as Geena asserted that they were never legally married. She counter-filed and asked the judge to throw out the divorce petition. The case stretched on for years. The exes are seen here at the 2018 Los Angeles premiere of “Wonder” — one of their last public outings as a couple.
In September 2019, Geena Davis brought along a very special guest to take in the Broadway production of “Beetlejuice” — daughter Alizeh. They posed with actor Alex Brightman, who plays the titular mischievous ghost in the show.
In October 2019, Geena Davis was on hand for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards, where she took home her first Oscar — the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
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