7 Unforgettable Roles And The Latest Crusade: What Geena Davis Is Doing Now In 2025

Geena Davis remains one of Hollywood's most influential and dedicated figures, not just for her iconic acting career but for her relentless advocacy work. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Academy Award-winning star is focusing on her groundbreaking research at the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, while simultaneously launching new creative projects, including a children's book that reflects her personal mission. Her work continues to challenge the status quo in Hollywood, proving that a star can be both a cultural icon and a catalyst for systemic change. The recent updates from the Bentonville Film Festival and her Institute’s latest study on STEM representation highlight her unwavering commitment to onscreen inclusivity. This article delves into the most current facets of her life, from her reflections on classic roles to the new frontiers she is conquering in film, literature, and activism.

Geena Davis: A Complete Biography and Profile

Geena Davis, born Virginia Elizabeth Davis, is an American actress, producer, writer, and former model known for her roles in films that often feature strong, unconventional female characters. Her career trajectory is unique, marked by an Oscar win, a deep commitment to gender equality in media, and even a brief but serious pursuit of a spot on the U.S. Olympic archery team.

• Full Name: Virginia Elizabeth Davis
• Born: January 21, 1956, in Wareham, Massachusetts, U.S.
• Education: Boston University (B.A. in Drama)
• Key Awards:
  • Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress (*The Accidental Tourist*, 1988)
  • Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress (*Thelma & Louise*, 1991)
  • Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (*Commander in Chief*, 2006)
  • Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award (2020)
• Marital Status: Divorced (Married four times: Richard Emmolo, Jeff Goldblum, Renny Harlin, Reza Jarrahy)
• Children: Alizeh Keshvar Davis Jarrahy, Kaiis Steven Jarrahy (twin), Kian William Jarrahy (twin)
• Notable Projects: *Thelma & Louise*, *The Accidental Tourist*, *The Fly*, *Beetlejuice*, *A League of Their Own*, *Stuart Little*.
• Activism: Founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (2004).

The Latest Crusade: Driving Systemic Change in 2024-2025

The most impactful work Geena Davis is doing today revolves around her pioneering nonprofit, the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (GDIGM). The Institute’s mission is to drive systemic change by using data and research to improve onscreen representation, eliminate bias, and advance authentic storytelling in media.

The 2024 Study on STEM Representation

In February 2024, the Institute released a significant new report that highlighted a persistent gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) characters on screen. The findings revealed that male STEM characters continue to significantly outnumber female STEM characters in media aimed at children and families. This data is crucial for demonstrating how media consumption can subtly shape children's career aspirations and perceptions of who belongs in powerful, technical fields. The Institute's approach is unique: it doesn't just critique; it provides data-driven tools and recommendations to content creators to ensure more inclusive and intersectional characters are written into projects from the start.

The Bentonville Film Festival (BFF)

Davis is the co-founder and chair of the annual Bentonville Film Festival (BFF), which celebrated its 11th year, with a focus on championing female, minority, and other underrepresented voices in film. The festival is not just a showcase; it's a vital platform that promises distribution for winning films, ensuring diverse stories actually reach an audience. This commitment to tangible results is a hallmark of Davis's activism. The festival serves as a critical pipeline for filmmakers whose work aligns with the Institute’s values, fostering a community that prioritizes authentic storytelling and inclusivity.

New Creative Ventures and Personal Reflections

Beyond her advocacy, Geena Davis remains active in the creative world, embracing new mediums and reflecting on the enduring legacy of her most famous roles.

From Memoir to Children's Book

Following the success of her 2022 memoir, *Dying of Politeness*, Davis has expanded her writing career into children's literature. She recently released her first children's book, *The Girl Who Was...*, which directly ties into her mission of empowering young girls. The book is designed to encourage girls to embrace their unique qualities and challenge gender stereotypes from an early age, a natural extension of her work with the GDIGM. This new project allows her to address the issue of representation at the foundational level, influencing the stories that children consume and internalize.

Reflections on Iconic Roles and Future Projects

Appearing at CinemaCon 2024, Davis expressed her deep connection to her past work, stating she would happily revisit any of her past characters. This includes iconic roles like Thelma Dickinson in *Thelma & Louise*, Dottie Hinson in *A League of Their Own*, and her Oscar-winning turn as Muriel Pritchett in *The Accidental Tourist*. She has often spoken about being drawn to characters who are "in charge of their own fate," a clear theme that runs through her most celebrated performances. This preference for strong, autonomous women on screen is what eventually led her to found her Institute. Davis also made a rare public appearance in a recent social media post at the memorial for her former co-star Dabney Coleman, showing she remains connected to her Hollywood roots.

The Enduring Legacy of *Thelma & Louise*

The 1991 film *Thelma & Louise*, co-starring Susan Sarandon, remains perhaps her most enduring cultural touchstone. Davis has reflected on the film's legacy, noting that it continues to resonate because it was a rarity: a movie where the two main characters were complex women driving their own narrative. The film, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, is often cited as a turning point for female representation in cinema, a topic Davis continues to champion. The power of *Thelma & Louise* to spark conversations about female friendship, autonomy, and societal constraints is a constant motivation for her advocacy work today.

Personal Life and Future Outlook

In her personal life, Davis is focused on her three children—daughter Alizeh and twin sons Kaiis and Kian—with her ex-husband Reza Jarrahy. She has been candid about her current perspective on relationships, stating that she is "definitely not interested in getting married" again, viewing the idea as "ridiculous" at this stage of her life. This outlook reflects a focus on her family, her career, and her Institute. Geena Davis's journey from a model and actress to a celebrated, data-driven advocate is a testament to her commitment to making the world a more equitable place. Her work with the Institute, especially the ongoing research into onscreen representation, ensures her impact will continue to be felt for generations to come, well beyond her already impressive filmography.