Born January 21, 1956, Virginia Elizabeth Davis had aspirations of being a performer at a young age. She completed a degree in fine arts at Boston University and relocated to New York, where she soon found work as a model. The latter paid the bills while Davis schemed her way into casting calls and auditions.

Then in 1982, she appeared opposite Dustin Hoffmanin Tootsie and her career took off. Although Davis was cast for her appearance and tall frame, she won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.

Davis then appeared in a series of mediocre successes such as Buffalo Bill, The Fly, where she starred opposite future husband Jeff Goldblum and Earth Girls Are Easy, also with Goldblum, as well as a young Damon Wayansand Jim Carrey.

If these films proved anything it was the remarkable versatility Davis displayed, as she shifted from comedy to drama. Her talent caught the attention of maverick director Tim Burton who cast her in the runaway hit Beetlejuice, starring Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, in 1988. The very same year, Davis garnered an Oscar for playing a dog trainer in The Accidental Tourist, opposite William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. Her place on the upper echelon of Hollywood talent was now cemented.

In 1991, Davis starred with Susan Sarandonin one of the best and most powerful films of the decade, Thelma & Louise. Both women were nominated for Academy Awards for their controversial performances. This last film may have marked the zenith of her career thus far.

Although Davis did go on to star in the 1992 hit A League of Their Own, with Tom Hanks and Madonna, she failed to regain the energy of past performances in future projects such as Angie, Cutthroat Island and Speechless.

A comeback of sorts did occur in 1996 with the surprise action hit The Long Kiss Goodnight, in which Davis showcased skills worthy of a Stallone or Van Damme. Still, Davis has not had a vehicle go bonkers at the box office since, unless one counts the film Stuart Little, which featured an animated mouse with the voice of Michael J. Fox A sequel is set to be released in 2002. A television sitcom, The Geena Davis Show on ABC, also proved to be a bust when it hit the air in 2000.

Yet Davis has a full life outside of acting, including a thriving production company. In addition, Davis is a competitive archer who is active in the fight to establish a level playing field in the realm of female youth athletics. She is a member of Mensa and is an accomplished musician, able to play the piano, flute and drums. In her spare time, Davis also enjoys creating cartoon strips. Davis married for the fourth time last year, to neurosurgeon Reza Jarrahy, who is fifteen years her junior. She gave birth to their daughter -- her first child in April 2002.