5 Shocking Facts About Laverne Cox's Twin Brother, M Lamar: The Unseen Force Behind Her Success

For years, fans of Laverne Cox knew she had a twin brother, but the full scope of his own powerful career and their unique relationship remained a mystery. As of December 2025, the spotlight is finally shifting to Reginald Lamar Cox, known professionally as M Lamar, a brilliant composer, countertenor, and multimedia artist whose creative intensity rivals his sister’s fame. This deep dive reveals the most compelling and current facts about the man Laverne Cox calls her "moral compass," from his surprise TV debut to his groundbreaking 2025 art installations.

The relationship between the trailblazing actress and her identical twin is not just a footnote; it is a profound artistic and personal partnership that has defined key moments in both their lives, including a crucial, unseen role in one of television’s most iconic series. M Lamar is a force in the avant-garde art world, and his recent projects and public appearances prove he is stepping out of his sister’s shadow and into his own light.

M Lamar: Full Biography and Profile

M Lamar, born Reginald Lamar Cox, is an acclaimed American composer, performer, and multimedia artist whose work explores themes of racial trauma, queer identity, and the apocalyptic nature of the American experience. He is the identical twin brother of actress and LGBTQ+ advocate Laverne Cox.

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• Full Name: Reginald Lamar Cox
• Stage Name: M Lamar
• Date of Birth: May 29, 1972
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 53
• Hometown: Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
• Profession: Composer, Countertenor, Performance Artist, Multimedia Artist
• Education: San Francisco Art Institute (Painting), Yale School of Art (Sculpture, withdrew to focus on music)
• Key Works/Projects: Surveillance Punishment and the Black Psyche, Negrogothic, Flight into Egypt (2025)
• Notable TV Appearance: Portrayed Marcus (pre-transitioning Sophia Burset) in Orange Is the New Black; Contestant 'X' on Claim to Fame (2024)
• Identity: Identifies as queer
• Sibling: Laverne Cox (Identical Twin Sister)

1. The Shocking 'Orange Is the New Black' Role No One Noticed

One of the most fascinating facts about M Lamar is his uncredited, yet crucial, appearance in the early seasons of the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black (OITNB).

Laverne Cox’s character, Sophia Burset, is a transgender woman, and the show used flashbacks to explore her life before her transition.

To portray Sophia’s pre-transition self, Marcus, the show cast M Lamar.

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Because M Lamar is Laverne’s identical twin, he provided a seamless and biologically accurate representation of the character's former physical appearance, adding a layer of authenticity that would have been impossible with another actor.

His performance as Marcus in the flashback episodes was a powerful and often overlooked detail that cemented the twins’ connection to the groundbreaking show.

2. M Lamar’s Secret Identity on 'Claim to Fame' (The Unmasking of ‘X’)

In a surprising twist that brought M Lamar into the reality TV spotlight, he appeared as the mysterious contestant ‘X’ on the ABC series Claim to Fame in 2024.

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The show features relatives of celebrities who must conceal their famous connection while trying to guess the others’ family ties.

M Lamar, who was eventually eliminated and revealed as Laverne Cox's twin, used the opportunity to share a heartfelt message about his sister.

He spoke movingly about Laverne's resilience and how she has been his "moral compass" throughout their lives, underscoring the deep, supportive bond they share.

His brief but impactful appearance provided a rare, personal glimpse into their playful and mutually appreciative relationship.

3. He is a World-Renowned Countertenor and Multimedia Artist

While Laverne Cox is a Hollywood icon, M Lamar is an established and critically acclaimed figure in the avant-garde art and music scenes.

He is a classically trained countertenor, meaning his vocal range is equivalent to that of a female mezzo-soprano, a rare and demanding vocal type.

His work, which often combines composition, performance art, and sculpture, is described as "Negrogothic," a term he coined to explore the trauma of the Black experience through a lens of operatic, apocalyptic beauty.

M Lamar studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute and briefly attended the sculpture program at Yale University before pivoting to focus entirely on his musical and performance pursuits.

His art is highly conceptual, challenging, and frequently exhibited in prestigious venues globally, solidifying his status as a serious and provocative artist.

4. M Lamar’s Major 2025 Metropolitan Museum of Art Project

Demonstrating his continued relevance and success in the art world, M Lamar is a featured artist in a major upcoming project at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York City.

In February 2025, he is scheduled to present a performance titled Flight into Egypt: M Lamar (with The Living Earth Show).

The performance, which is part of the larger exhibition Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now, features M Lamar and the experimental music duo The Living Earth Show.

They will debut a new work, *Machines & Other Intergalactic Technologies of The Spirit*, which integrates live music, performance, and themes drawn from ancient Egyptian imagery, positioning M Lamar at the forefront of contemporary art discourse.

This engagement at one of the world's most renowned museums highlights the critical respect M Lamar commands outside of his sister's celebrity.

5. The Twins’ Shared Path of Identity and Queerness

Both Laverne Cox and M Lamar grew up together in Mobile, Alabama, and both have been open about their queer identities and the challenges they faced.

Laverne, a transgender woman, is a global advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and M Lamar identifies as queer, with his artistic work often centering on the queer Black experience.

Their shared background and mutual understanding of navigating the world as Black queer individuals have forged an unbreakable bond.

Laverne has publicly referred to her twin as her "biggest supporter" and "moral compass," a testament to the strength and longevity of their relationship.

Despite their very different career paths—one in mainstream Hollywood and the other in the avant-garde art scene—their lives remain deeply intertwined, serving as a powerful example of familial love and mutual artistic inspiration.