Geena has always been an ass-kicker on-screen long before she was ever one in REAL life. The roles she's played have taken her down paths she never dreamed when pursuing acting. They helped transform her, slowly, in fits and starts, into someone with power. For what Geena put into her roles, she's taken away far more. Acting has changed Geena every single time she's had the great fortune to do it. Some films in roles inspired others around her. While life on-screen was very different, that boldness in her characters eventually rubbed off on her, and made Geena a GENUINE badass. Growing up a crippling polite New Englander was much too tall to hide. Politeness was bequeathed upon her at an early age.
Politeness was so stressed upon Geena that it became debilitating. The BIG task of her life is to close the gap between when something happens to her v. when Geena authentically reacts to it. Miraculously, the roles she's played have transformed her into someone whom could stand-up for herself - she knows what's right for the moment. It wasn't until Geena played Thelma (Dickenson) that she realized she may have wanted to become an actor so fervently because she could use acting to fill out the persona of someone confident in their abilities. Someone Geena could be in REAL life. What people perceive eventually rubs off on you.
By the time Geena reached 40s, she'd become a middle-aged data geek and had her own institute on gender in the media - and became a mom. Geena had her children later in life. It was wonderful. It brought her whole self full circle. Geena could show them what strength was despite their sex. See men & women as equals. Our culture will finally be able to recognize the unconscious bias in all of us if we keep pointing it out. Pretty much as Geena learned that people had jobs, she knew what she wanted to do with her life.
Hailing from Wareham, Massachusetts, Geena's parents KNEW their daughter was going to be in the movies. Throughout her childhood, Geena maintained this sort of unshakable faith that she was destined to become an actor. She began training for her career early. Mimically and learning what she saw in soap operas. Despite their homespun ways, when Geena told her parents of her future plans to major in acting in college; they took it in stride. Of course, this news was not new. They knew what their daughter was from the beginning. Geena's birth certificate reads, "Virginia Elizabeth", but on the way from the hospital after she was born, Geena's mom, Lucille, asked her son, Geena's brother, what a nickname should be. Virginia was named after her mom's sister, whom went by "Ginny". Geena's brother shortened it to "Geena" and their mom liked it so much she wished she had thought of it before sticking to Virginia. It was always funny that her mom didn't know the correct spelling.
The family of 4 lived with a wood stove for heating, kerosene lanterns always ready, and bathing resumed on Saturday nights. (They had no shower.) Brother & sister had to take turns on who went first; there was only one bath drawn to save water, being second was always creepy. Their mother grew all of their food - all of it - from A-to-Z in a 1-acre garden. It was a very Little House On The Prairie upbringing without the pinafores and dresses. Geena's skill at being no trouble kicked in early. At times when Kids are normally loud; Geena was quiet without a peep. Maintaining decorum and invisibility. Being invisible while being visible as possible; assertive yet modest; loud but shy. A very New England way of life.
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| Geena & Dan |
Geena was incredibly shy & quiet as a kid, but even so, her rare bursts of enthusiasm always seemed to cause people to go out of their way to tone Geena the fuck down. The moment Geena wanted change, she did something unselfconsciously, there'd be a price to pay. She had always been tall. Geena was a tall baby. Being tall felt like a curse for Geena in her childhood. She spent an inordinate amount of time staring into the bathroom sink questioning her identity. Geena was also fixated on the beautification of her and attractiveness in her face.
Geena's father had her do things with him from a very young age. If her father was working in his profession;; so was Geena. As a result, Geena grew up believing she could do ANYTHING, and apparently, so could her father. What Geena's mother couldn't stomach; her dad knew Geena was made of sterner material. If anyone could do anything; their baby girl could DO anything. With Geena having a brother and other boys in the neighborhood, she wanted to join along. So, in her 4TH Christmas, Geena asked for a toy gun. Her parents had no idea what her request meant. So, on Christmas morning, Geena received a $5 bill from Santa tucked in a card for a toy of her choice. Geena burst into tears. She identified her father's handwriting and it broke her young heart. At the young age of 4, Geena was already able to identify her father's handwriting. Geena needed facts on the majestics of Christmas. She demanded answers. But, she inevitably bought herself that toy gun.
Geena states that she had a wild imagination congruent to a fairly exhausting childhood. To monsters under her bed, to fear of being poisoned. Taking extra precautions. . .at the annoyance of her mother. Geena had such a phobia of being poisoned. Along with these torments of the mind was a case of hypochondria. If she heard of something. . . .Geena was sure she had it. She fervently worshiped her mother. But, her mom's viewing the world was probably a major factor in how she/Geena viewed the world. When she was finally old enough to stay home alone whilst her folk's went elsewhere, Geena's mother would try to convince her to come along by bringing up what would happen . . . the shoulda, coulda, woulda's. For all of Geena's childhood, she didn't have any privacy at home. The bathroom door had no lock; therein leaving her bedroom door open so that Geena could be heard if she had a nightmare. Keeping doors open as a way to keep tabs on Geena - even as a teenager.
When it comes to not talking about what is either embarrassing or brings out emotions, New Englanders are gold medalists. They do not discuss anything. There was also an unspoken rule to never discuss bodily functions. . .especially anything to do with sex or reproductive organs. Geena was so naive that she was tripping over non-existent land mines within the family. One of the most mortifying things to ever happen to Geena was reading from Reader's Digest. What Geena read in the articles was absolute gospel. At times, what Geena read would fly from imagination. Letting her imagination run wild overthinking. As it was, Geena didn't receive her "special visitor" until her 16TH year. When she saw the blood, she truly thought she was dying.. . .for sure. What Geena had previously feared in her life keeping her busy. . . Someone in her real life was a TRUE monster. Geena had NO IDEA whom it would be.
Suddenly, there were papers to write that would take several days, tests that required more than one night's study. Things got serious fast: Geena was put on the National Honor Society, but that became a huge source of stress: That meant keeping grades up to snuff; which weighed heavily. If not, there was a warning. . .then ultimately dropped from the program. Geena would inevitably self-sabotage herself and be unable to finish a report or study for a bug test, and then have a single semester to claw her way back up. If not, therein exited her out of The Honor Society, which would've been devastating for a teenage Geena. Her mom was truly there for her daughter. She knew what her daughter needed when appropriated. And then, there were times when playing with her friends came a good (breaking) relaxing balance. Any characters they played as a group, they chose the toughest characters on TV at the time.
By the time Geena was in high school, she was keenly aware of being too much: (too tall. too odd). Geena knew she was going to be an actor - that was never in question. There were times when Geena toyed with the idea of becoming a holiday gift wrapper. While family shopping one day, Geena was in absolute awe at the store's artful skill. She physically craved for that job, but her fixation wore off after one holiday year and Geena went back to her regular star goal. She needed to get out and find a new identity. Geena's older brother, 2 yrs-older than her, was mercilessly bullied in school daily with thanks to an undiagnosed case of dyslexia, unknown to the world at the time, that Dan didn't deserve, or understand. But, for Dan's junior year, he transferred to Bristol County Agriculture: which did remarkable wonders for Geena's brother.
This was a colossal shock - though, of course, it shouldn't have been. Even in a boggled state, Geena knew she'd survive. Maybe even flourish. As she waved farewell to her parents, they were speeding down the runway on their way to London, where Geena would change plans heading north to Stockholm. In Stockholm, a woman working for the exchange program met Geena at the plane and took her straight to the central train station. Geena had a million questions. What Geena would learn on her Sweden trip, it delivered on the fantasy. It gave Geena the opportunity to re-invent herself; to become the REAL Geena. Being able to think in a different language also changed Geena's neutral pathways and re-defining whom Geena is as a person.
The other thing Geena looked forward to were her girlfriends. Being 18, Geena needed her girlfriends time and soap opera catch-ups. Although travelling far, those in the soaps were just as interesting as her home-based friendships. Once at home, it was catching up abound that resided in a trip with friends along with Geena's brother.
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Geena's first day at Boston University was a rouh one with a small theater. The professor rudely laid out the odds for success. Geena was floored at the odds in his equation. This was the 2ND time Geena was a college freshman. Being out of the country in Sweden meant missing the required try out B.U. acting program. A year earlier, Geena was at New England College in New Hampshire. The first time Geena ever smoked pot was in the company of her brother, whom was also a freshman. A memory Geena holds dearly. Someone handed them a joint, and they basked in the enjoyment. Fear of appearing uncool didn't seem to stop them from continuing. Geena's experiments had her brother in tow. But, she knew New Hampshire would be a one-year layover, though B.U. would be destiny. As a kid, Geena didn't advertise her plans to become an actor. She kept it on the downlow, although in her yearbook, it was listed under Future Plans.
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| Knickerbocker Holiday |
Geena was DAMN NEAR DETERMINED to make it in New York City, because if she did, she could make it ANYWHERE! It was up to her. On her very first full day in the city, Geena dressed to the 9's and hit the streets. hoping to land a salesgirl position while figuring out how to be a model. There was a brief time in the early 1980s when Geena had gotten a job as a salesperson that first day in New York. A secure job felt sophisticated and fun, and Geena was DRESSED for it. When Geena was there, she found out she had an uncanny ability for motionlessness. A crowd began to form. When she finally moved/blinked, everyone got the deal and cheered. At which point, Geena froze again. After a while, the noise brought a horrified management over. At first, Geena was scolded but the outlook gave them pause. Geena was then instructed to stay in the window display.
It was more fun than organizing a display. So, Geena kept up at it. This masquerade was a HIT! After that, the manager hired Geena to be a fake mannequin in the window every Saturday. The large crowds increased foot traffic in the actual store. Geena was having a great time while refining her technique. She was determined to look as much like the other mannequins as possible. Doing what she needed to do for the position at hand. Geena immensely enjoyed it when people genuinely thought it was a fake. The window wasn't the only thing about the store. Generous employee discounts. With on-sale items, Geena could afford to buy designer clothes. She felt like an actor in a movie montage scene with a life ahead of them. One day, the actual C.E.O. of Ann Taylor came in and the manager introduced Geena as an example for the employees at their flagship store. She had the image of an Ann Taylor girl. Geena jumped on the opportunity it presented.
From the start, Richard was so solicitous of Geena. He took care of her in a way as a partner. Geena got a 2ND job as a cocktail waitress in SoHo; so she walked back home at 2A. Neither of them made much money; but they still had weekly nights out with a nice bottle of wine and all the courses. Even though Geena stressed about bringing Richard to Wareham, he fell in love with her parents right away. Richard reminded them of a throwback to another country. He began calling Geena his Yankee Doodle Sweetheart after what he seen what her parents were like. Geena's mother was very interested in her daughter's career and was worried about anything that might derail that. Whenever Geena visited her parents with Richard, and made eye rolls and side glances at Richard's vocabulary.
Geena states to find a partner who doesn't wince at habits others might turn a sore eye to. Once a week on Sundays, Geena would check in with her parents when the phone rates were the cheapest. She kept them in the dark from living with someone (Richard). Every time Geena answered, she pretended she was still Lady Fatima. They knew their daughter had a rumor. . .but wondered why they never seen/saw her. Her mother was somewhat desperate to hear from this "roommate". Clearly like any mom, Geena's KNEW something didn't sound right/true. So, her mom made pop-up calls. But, Geena stuck to her story.
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| Geena & Richard |
The ceremony took place in the church where Geena grew up and where her parents got married. Her mother tried to talk Geena out of it, but also assisted her daughter in the proceedings. After the ceremony, which was in the Fellowship Hall next to the church, where one flute of champagne per person was permitted. Later, they drove to Connecticut to celebrate with New York friends. It didn't take long for Geena to have "wife regret". Even though Geena developed a significant side hustle with the window mannequin job - she was also known to be in the window of a cute boutique in Soho on Sundays, with a mission-at-hand. . Modeling her way into acting.
Geena was making enough money to somewhat sadly, leave Ann Taylor behind. Due to her height, Geena was hired for gigs where heights didn't matter. Geena was regularly cast for face modeling. Someone's body with Geena's face. This made no dent in her self-regard. The body-double gigs caused Geena to end up in numerous bizarre scenarios. Before shooting photos for her first Victoria's Secret catalog in San Francisco, Geena was asked to dye her "body hair" blonde for the job at hand; so she did. Doing what the job required - politely.
But, despite getting work, Geena's modeling career hadn't truly taken off. Geena's agency suggested she head off to Italy for another chance of being "discovered". So, Geena went off to Milan. She had just enough money to stay for 6 weeks. Her dreams were hoping to come true fast. Geena stayed in a youth hostel while she was there and had a picture of Richard on her bedside table. While there, her local agents taught her to phonetically announce the line for an Italian ad. Geena truly got the script down and can STILL recite it verbatim to this day. The only problem was the condensation in addressing Geena. The woman casting the commercial thought she was PERFECT, and the job was hers - IF Geena could take the compliment. But, Geena simply could not break out of her training. That was a downfall in her loss of the job.
Geena's commercial agent at Zoli got a call from a casting agent looking for models whom could act. Her agent knew that was the goal. For the first time, Geena was going to get to audition for a part in a movie. Things were coming together all according to plan. Geena was instructed to wear a bikini under her clothes just in case due to the role at hand. So, off she went to an office in Midtown to the location of the audition. It became trouble for nothing. Geena's mind turned elsewhere. She was soon headed to Paris for the first time to walk the runways. She was thrilled to be hired for a few shows, until she got a call from an urgent call from her Zoli agent after finding a pay phone in the Paris Metro that she'd gotten the part. A little confused at first. The director of the movie and the casting director truly liked Geena's audition tape, and the lead actor especially loved her Brooklyn accent. The Boston accent Geena worked so hard for was immediately replaced with ones she heard daily.
It was beyond Geena's wildest imagination that she would get the first movie role she audition for. It was hard to estimate how fortunate she was. Geena was flabbergasted that such a thing could happen so fast. Before working on the film, Geena was worried about the lack of experience. Her trepidation only deepened the first morning on set as director Sydney Pollack was seen talking to extras for other projects. He wanted his actors to FEEL their work. But, then he was getting exasperated. Geena was fearful that she'd be caught not knowing how to do something. In many, many cases, Geena would find a way to BS her way through the task. She was living the "fake it til you make it" concept long before she ever heard the term.
When Geena was at B.U., she had a work study job where she was to design signs/posters for the campus, and it was a blast. And now here she was again, only this time on the set of a major motion picture. Geena tried not to let it be known it was her first movie. She didn't know you were supposed to come to set only during your own scenes to film. She just presumed everyone showed up daily. Everyday, there she was, 6:00A. Despite this, Sydney was incredibly welcoming to her, and treated Geena with great respect. Sydney loved the actors; he was one himself. Tootsie was the first time he'd acted. Dustin Hoffman convinced him to take on the role of his character's agent. Geena's confidence only grew as they went along; and it had ALOT to do with Dustin. He mentioned her throughout the shoot and gave her a multitude of advice for the future career she would have. One of the most important lessons he gave Geena was on his 2ND day. At lunch, he took her down to see the dailies. He took Geena to watch them. Learn how to watch. Reviewing your work is very valuable to the actor. Since then, Geena watched the dailies on every movie she'd worked on, and it has been invaluable. Anything is good if it works for you.
In movies, Geena'd quickly discover, you have one shot at getting a scene right - the day you shot it. Over the years, Geena would come to realize it would always be the case if she shot the scene again the next day, she'd done a better job. But, Geena learned that its better to be her best at that time. She would do better next time. She found it liberating that the feeling would come to be, in every aspect in her life. . . and it all stemmed from a moment with Dustin Hoffman toward a beginner in their first movie. Not all of Dustin's advice was so weighty. Another piece of advice was regarding male actors: "Never sleep with your co-stars". Geena squirreled that lesson away.
Geena is a certified night owl, but those 6 weeks were the only time she sprang out of bed in the morning. She could not wait to get to set. The film became an exercise in a masterclass in film-making, and from film geniuses. Geena would never again have to walk on a movie set feeling inadequate. This film heightened Geena's confidence - slowly. She found her profession to be the best in the world. After wrapping Tootsie, the head of Geena's modeling agency, Foli, thought it would be a good idea to take her and a couple of other models/actors to L.A. to make rounds and meet casting directors. Geena was all for going to Hollywood. She already lucked out in New York.
Geena's next job, amazingly, came along with little effort. Dabney Coleman played the chauvinistic TV director of the film's soap. They both got to know each other on-set in New York. Dabney thought Geena's audition was good enough that she was able to decamp to Hollywood with a paying job. But, L.A. wasn't Richard's kind-of-town. He was a New Yorker through-and-through and didn't truly settle. Thankfully, with no drama in detail, it became clear they were on the way to moving along with their lives apart. They resume being close to this day. Geena had thought she'd never love a place as much as NYC, but she fantasized about L.A. since she was a kid, without truly realizing it. Geena would draw what her "adult life" would be like. In L.A., for the first time, she felt this was exactly where she was supposed to be.
Any environment Geena was in as a kid, she was unfit for. But, she loved everything about California - the scenery, the weather, the homes . . . and she was permitted to drive everywhere which she truly missed. When her parents visited Geena after a movie to L.A., they had an extra bag with them containing only food that her mom prepared for her daughter. During their stay, Geena informed her dad that she was going to write an episode of Buffalo Bill which aired on February 9, 1984. The only script Geena ever wrote.
Geena was now firmly ensconced in L.A. and her resume boasted a hit movie and a beloved sitcom. She felt the stars aligning. . .but the success of the show was up in the air. There ended up being a whole year between the 2 seasons - it became a dark time for Geena. She was running out of money; so she returned to modeling. The L.A. scene was very different from New York. She was only able to secure gigs like a full-page ad in the L.A. Times Sunday people. Geena received calls from a few people on Buffalo Bill wondering if it truly was her. She was so embarrassed. How is she a house-model? The weight of this question drove Geena to depression. She soon realized she was no longer showering or getting dressed daily. She'd simply sit on the bed and stare off.
Geena's first guest starring role was on an episode of Knight Rider. She was the character of Grace Fallon. She was trepidatious when David Hasselhoff invited her to his trailer at lunchtime. He had asked Geena to scrapbook through clippings detailing his superstardom in Germany. From there, Geena was cast on a guest role in Fantasy Island. It certainly came up a number of times over the years with Geena's height. When the male actor was just a bit shorter than her, she came up with a no-fuss way of shrinking herself. . .Depending on how much shorter she needed to be, Geena could delve down deeper to match. Geena wasn't done with guest-starring work. They financially saved her and she was GRATEFUL for the work. Some of the roles were weird and fun. But, these experiences so clearly demonstrated the hierarchy of sets. Being a guest role made you low-totem-pole interloper.
Despite this horrible idea, Geena shot certain episodes sans makeup. She was cheered on with help from writers. The next morning, it seemed that NBC agreed with audiences. Geena was never to be purposefully made to look like a plain jane again. In the end, the show went along, but for Geena, not feeling like part of the team made it feel less joyful. Despite being the title character, no one thought Geena should be included in the process. Given that NBC wanted Geena to become the next Mary Tyler Moore, she figured she could talk things through smoothly with the then head of the network, Brandon Tartikoff, with a lunch. She didn't beat around the bush. Therein, Sara was nixed. It wasn't a horrible experience. They had a lot of fun on-set. Geena loved everyone on the crew. They finished their final episodes and had a great wrap party. So, that was Sara in a nutshell. Geena wasn't her character. She never was and never would be.
Back in Wareham, to the locals Geena's star seemed to have dimmed drastically. She soon became the fodder for church gossip. As for her parents, The Fly didn't signal a rise in stature. Knowing they were going to be watching. Geena eagerly awaited their call. Silence. In the end, Geena couldn't take it and called her brother. Dan loved it. As far as her parents go, they didn't care about certain parts; which they hemmhawed over. Geena was getting a little peeved about their reaction. After a long silence. . .her mom whispered about the sexual nature. Geena always fell in line with her characters. She never wanted to stop being them; so she wanted to do sequels to most of her work - except Thelma & Louise. . .As we know why.
Always be on the lookout for books that would make a great film.
One author Geena always loved was Ann Taylor. So, when The Accidental Tourist book came out, Geena picked it up and adored it. She called her agent to ask how to buy the rights.
Fresh off the success of his latest film, Tim Burton was a hot new director. Beetlejuice was his next big project. Geena was cast as Barbara Maitland. A complete opposite fate from The Fly II; dying was essential to the character. This was a movie/story that Geena GOT & UNDERSTOOD. That was why director, Tim hired her. Geena GOT the story. She realized that she didn't really want to play the typical female roles she was used to seeing. She wanted roles that brought a challenge. That's why she chose unusual films like The Fly & Beeltejuice. They presented challenges and unusual things to do.
It was only as time went on that Geena realized there was a unifying theme to what she was drawn to: Women taking charge of their destinies. Geena wanted to act out characters who were bold and self-possessed, probably because she felt herself being so far removed from their qualities. These roles would work in the opposite direction as well. They taught her how to configure her own fate in her life off-screen.
In the 80s, Geena found herself in what is described as "offbeat" films, but to her they were opportunities to try being more confident & assertive. Geena saw herself as somewhat eccentric, which could explain the offbeat choices, she tried to bring reality to the extraordinary. It's often been Geena's job to make the audience believe in an alternate reality. Geena had gotten quite good at picking the parts she wanted to play - and of course you can only pick what you're offered - but Geena was having a ball with these odd characters. The reason why Geena was suggested for these particular roles due to the colorfulness she put into them. She was just great at choosing colorful parts. Geena found that making the female supporting character(s) more interesting was not a top priority for many filmmakers. They were mainly characters with no plot to the story. She often wondered if the idea of making female characters more dimensional is just something male writers and directors don't seem as necessary.
Geena & Jeff celebrated one another. They brought it out of one another. They were together for 2 1/2 years when they decided to go for a joint Vegas weekend with Ed Bagley, Jr. and his then wife to join on Halloween 1987. Ed & Ingrid presumed they were joining them to be witnesses for Geena & Jeff's nuptials . . .which was the furthest from their own minds. Jeff insisted since it was on the table. . .Geena froze. She knew she wanted to marry him, but still . . . Vegas? She was teary-eyed and Jeff tried to make her feel better. They called one of those goofy all-night chapels, which sent a limo to pick them up at 3AM. Afterward, the first hint of light was edging Las Vegas Blvd; it was November 1, 1987 when Jeff & Geena were married.
Geena received word that the Ann Taylor novel that she loved so much; The Accidental Tourist was being directed to a film adaption. By this point, Geena knew how to fight for a part. But the bigger risk was not to tell him how much she wanted to play the part. So she did, on a night when Jeff & Geena were over for dinner. Geena brought it up. When she shared how passionate she was about this project, the director seemed surprised.
Lawrence was unsure of releasing the role to Geena due to her upbringing on Cape Cod. So, she lobbied for the part. So, Geena planned to alter her appearance for the role. That intrigued him. She ended up being 1-in-4 women asking for a screen test for the role; which she'd never done before. Geena was a basket of nerves. She never wanted so much in life. Geena knew she had the preparation to get to the emotional place required for the role. After finishing Tootsie, Geena took acting classes where she was taught to use her emotions. This all clicked for her the day of the screen test. She was in just the right amount of emotion to do the screen test correctly. But, Geena was in a disastrous situation. Losing the feeling instantly and frantically trying to get it back. . .but it wasn't coming - and then Geena had an AH HA moment: She was ready. She went out and nailed the audition, and the call from Kasden said she had the part that would change her life.
For The Accidental Tourist, Geena made thousands of notes on the discussion of her character, Muriel Pritchett, that her script was covered with them. She was never to act out of the role. Geena was to be prepared to become her character. The director cared about deep preparation to finally inhabit Muriel. Geena was in awe of Kathleen Turner, who played the main character's ex-wife. Her resume by this point was ridiculous. Knowing her work up to this point, Kathleen was clearly a self-possessed person and incredibly glamorous for words. Geena invited her out for a drink to see if she had any advice. Geena'd never invited a superstar out for a drink before, but Kathleen was game. Kathleen showed up in full movie star mode. As they settled themselves, Kathleen ordered a shot of bourbon, lit a cigarette and in their conversation, Kathleen proved herself to be the total bad-ass that she is.
Working on this film was one of those signal moments in Geena's career in which a role she was playing was leading Geena to personal growth in her off-screen life. Someone's take on the world is theirs; that didn't mean she had to mold herself into it. That was an astonishing moment for her. Geena spent her entire life walking on eggshells, subjugating her own wishes to keep the peace. Geena was far too interested in pleasing other people.
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| Larry Kasdan |
Before you know it, it's Wednesday, March 9, 1989. You wake up early, and Geena's skin broke out in hives! She frantically called her publicist who suggested an Epsom Salt bath; but Geena was too hyper to sit and soak, so she just went her skin and shook Epsom Salt on herself. Eventually, Geena calmed herself to ready herself. But, there was still time Jeff & Geena had to be there. The car arrived at 2P; so Geena knew it took HOURS to get there. So, she figured to eat something prior to departure. Accordingly, Geena covered herself in a big sheet and scarfed down a huge plate of pasta and watched TV while she ate.
And with that, Geena's nerves went away. With the other nominations, Geena felt the other nominations being so good, there was no way she'd win.
The morning after the Oscar ceremony, the school staff where Geena's mom was an assistant had a surprise ceremony held in honor of her mother. On the back of the Oscar win, Geena became a superstar in Wareham. She was asked to be the parade marshal for the town's 250th anniversary year - in 1989. Although Geena had won an Oscar, she still had plenty of challenges that forced her to realize she truly hadn't been her authentic self. Life has a way of reminding you that the universe doesn't offer a straight line to fulfillment; there are setbacks, and it's how you grow from them that increases your ability to kick ass! Geena has had the association prior to the #MeToo Movement as a test to see if she was easy to work with. She had just won the Oscar and others thought Geena'd be difficult in post.
Back in 1987, through friendships, and a word of mouth was something that profoundly changed Geena's life, career and even her own view of the world. All from mentioning a script called Thelma & Louise. Every actress in town was after that script. Geena's agent got her a copy. It was the BEST script she ever read. It was smart, funny & dark. It was a story about women written by women. TWO strong female leads. The backstory to the movie was almost as compelling as the script itself. The author, Callie Khouri and good friend, Pam Tillis, were mugged one night. Before that, Pam was also mugged at gunpoint while being escorted to her car. This incident for the story became the catalyst for the origin story. The idea for the story came to Callie while driving to work out of nowhere. The director, Ridley Scott, saw the film as an epic odyssey. Ridley understood the film was a major statement of female empowerment. Geena read the script and asked Callie if this truly does happen to women?
The roles of these characters were already cast by the time Geena read it: Holly Hunter and Frances McDormand were Callie's original thought process of the script. After the rights were sold to production, Jodie Foster and Michelle Pfieffer became the next pairing. Timing didn't work for either actress due to projects in the long run. Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep were also in talks to play these characters, but Mrryl thought one of these characters should survive, on top of that. . . there were scheduling conflicts on both sides. Geena had her agent call Ridley's office 52x to confirm her availability.
Geena knew an important script when she read one and wasn't above pressing her case tirelessly. During that year, she prepped and was insanely fixated on it. Her acting coach convinced her that she was more aptly suited for the more jaded, more mature character, Louise. Director Ridley Scott knew of Geena's longtime session with the film due to her many phone calls and agreed to a meeting. Geena laid out her stored-up, passionate arguments for why she absolutely had to have this role, playing Louise. Ridley listened intently. He asked her opinion of playing Thelma. Geena had to think quickly. In her argument, Geena listened to reasons why she should play Louise. Ridley looked at Geena and just didn't seem right. Then, she inevitably made shit up in her argument for why she absolutely HAD TO play Thelma.
Once Susan was cast, Ridley asked the ladies to meet him to hammer out the details. Geena wanted to extract her own philosophy: The single point of life is to make sure no one has reasons to find you troublesome. Geena tried multiple techniques to get his attention. This was where she was at as she was preparing for a role in what would become of the greatest feminist films of the last 30+ years. This was not where Susan Sarandon at. As they went through the script on the first day, Geena was taken aback agape. Her jaw hit the floor. Susan went through each scene with confidence and ease. Ridley was completely unfazed. Geena had no idea what she was walking into. Ridley engaged with Susan on every point, and when she pitched a whole new scene she thought was necessary, Rodley agreed.
With roles assigned to actors, all that was left to cast was the role of J.D., the drifter. Billy Baldwin had been originally cast but dropped out to pursue making Backdraft. Ridley and the casting director wanted Geena to read with 4 candidates whom were up for the role at their auditions. One-by-one, they came into the room where Ridley, the casting director and Geena waited. Geena read with the first 3 and they were talented and handsome and perfect for the role. Geena had no preference. She would have been happy either way. Finally, the last auditioner walked in. Someone mentioned to Geena the name of a student of his whom she thought would be perfect for the role, and now here he was at the auditions. From the second Geena laid eyes on him, she knew there was something special about him. Besides being stunningly gorgeous, this guy was insanely talented. After launching into the first audition, Geena realized she hadn't memorized the scenes intended.
On a day when they were filming driving across, they broke for lunch. Ridley suggested they do a topless scene from the car. Unable to say anything at all, even the simplest, Geena stammered in her answer, She ran off to find Susan, who was already eating. She told her of Ridley's request, Susan looked up from her lunch and thought. . ."Oh, for Heaven's sake". With that, Susan simply dropped her silverware onto her plate, stood up, and walked to Ridley's direction. Susan took a stance in defense of Geena; then going back to lunch. Every day was like that - a kind of reprogramming for Geena. Just to see Susan moving through the world was like learning a new language. Susan was just herself all the time. Susan was perfectly fantastic to work with. Susan was free to speak up and her mind. The normalcy of it was enlightening.
Aside from daily bad-ass tutoring from Susan, they had tremendous fun together making that film. They took various lessons which would better benefit them in the film. When it comes to the scene of taking shots, they asked the props guy to put a taste of booze in each shot they drank, to feel more realistic. After shooting the scene. . . .Susan & Geena were drunk. They giggled and realized they probably had 1/3 of a shot each; which sobered them up P.D.Q. For the scene in which Geena's character was really hammered, Susan taught her a super technique to acting drunk: Spin yourself around enough to make yourself dizzy; when you stop, you'll sway and falter in the way you do if you're drunk . . .the more you spin, the "drunker" you'll seem.
Speaking of getting drunk. during the scene when Thelma starts to hysterically laugh about the murder; until Louise cuts her off. . . Thelma, that's not funny. Geena wasn't sure she could laugh spontaneously; even if she could. So, she decided to secretly get drunk, hoping it would help. The props guys put some beers and a bottle of vodka in Geena's trailer, for which she went HARD into it. When they got in the car to shoot the scene, Geena leaned over to tell Susan, but all she could do was laugh so hard she couldn't stop. Her trick worked! The only problem was that once that scene was shot, Geena had to put her ass to bed for the rest of the day. Fortunately, Ridley didn't care, the scene was/still is one of the most powerful of the film.
Sometime during the course of the making of the film, Jeff Goldblum and Geena's relationship decided to end it, but it was something she terribly regretted. Geena felt she should have given more time. Her time with Jeff was happiness. It truly was a magical time in her life. Before the film came out, if people who recognized Geena a lot wanted her to share her stories. Stories that changed their lives all around. Ever since then, Geena's made her acting choices with the women of the audience in mind, what would they think of her? If you set out to create a "role model" the character should have a few flaws.
The empowerment of this film brought Geena to the realization a very powerful way how rarely women are given the chance to feel that way in film. Men can come out of almost every movie having identified with the led character or one of the important male characters and feeling empowered. Although Thelma & Louise kill themselves, they retain control control of their lives to the bitter end; they never give up being in charge of their own fate, once they experience freedom. Their charges were their choice. Deciding their own fate. This made Geena want more parts where her character decides her own fate/destiny. The director, Callie Khori, always had the best answers explaining the film to the press. Proving that Thelma & Louise were role models. BAD ASS role models.
When it came to learning and growing from the roles she's played, you can imagine what an extraordinary double-header it was making Thelma & Louise and A League Of Their Own back-to-back. It was life changing enough to be in one film that struck a nerve, but to have her very next film become a cultural phenomenon caused a tremendous shift in her life. In particular days gone by, you don't think of the lasting impression films had. 30+ years ago, Geena never thought how long movies she was in would live on, just about the same numbers of young ladies came to tell Geena the impact her films have made for Generations. Every time someone tells Geena that one of her films inspired them/their future, Geena took it in gratitude.
Six weeks before the shoot (and during the actual filming), Geena was lucky enough to be paired with some big-time baseball coaches and soaking up their expertise. Geena's body began to reflect her character's experience. The experienced coaches thought Geena had real untapped athletic ability. That was the best compliment she could have ever gotten. This gave Geena the confidence to pull off playing the character, Dottie Hinson. . . Geena pulled it off very well. A few years after League came out, Geena was invited to play in an MLB exhibition game - a REAL game with REAL players in MLB. Geena thought they were insane to think she could possibly hit a professional pitch, no way was Geena going to ruin the reputation she now had of having truly outsized skills.
The kind townspeople in Evansville, IN came out in droves to play the fans in sweltering stands, despite heat and humidity. Sometimes, Tom Hanks & Rosie O'Donnell took it upon themselves to entertain them; Roise would do stand-up or get everyone singing and Tom would occupy the crowd; while hiding in the dugout. Tom would bring his 11-yr-old son, Colin. Colin figured out how to make a helmet out of a watermelon for the Roman Guard. After hair/makeup during the many weeks they shot baseball stuff, they'd hang out in their uniforms. This is where they truly bonded, which was Penny's goal . . .everyone together and equal.
Penny clearly knew what she was doing. They ended up going months over schedule. At one point, Geena had T-Shirts printed for the cast that said "Free The Peaches", which Penny rolled her eyes on. But, what Penny mastered in editing became something truly lasting for millions of women everywhere. One night, Penny had the idea to film the cast just playing a real baseball game - just playing and seeing if anything special happened. Filming that, they used up ALL THE FILM THEY HAD! When Geena told Penny she'd like to come to the dailies, Penny declined as a way to make fun of how they play.
Geena initially accepted the role with the provision to change the ending scene to make Dustin's character who was the HERO! There was a meeting prior to accepting the role. Dustin completely had Geena's back. Everyone left with agreed upon scenes to be rewritten. Geena didn't know to ask her agents to ask for it in her contract(s). By the time the shooting arrived, no rewrite had shown up. Geena would occasionally bring up the rewrite, but days/weeks passed to no avail. She had to directly speak with the director and he pacified to prolong change. Finally, the night before. . .
Geena called the producer in a panic for the new script. The next day. . .
Morning came. No rewrite. But, they couldn't find a rewrite that would work. Geena was livid. She would've turned it down if the ending hadn't changed.
If she were a man. . .would this have happened?
Geena was usually averaging herself 1 film a year. She WANTED to work. (She wouldn't be the first Davis to publicly lobby for work.) But, she did find something else to obsess over.
Learning Geena had A.D.D., it completely rocked her world. Everything in her life began to make sense. This diagnosis created a tremendous sense of relief in Geena. She now understood the torture she put herself through to not be able to accomplish so much. The revelation came with a deep sadness, for not being diagnosed earlier. (Just as no one knew that Geena's brother, Dan, had dyslexia). Her therapist compared people with her type of A.D.D. to lions. But, unlike a lion, Geena was training 4hrs/day, 6 days/week and shooting more than 4,500 arrows a month. She finished 29TH out of 300 at the National Championships in July 1999. That elevated her to the Olympic trials semi-finals. If a human being could do it and succeed, she could do it. Little did she know, a huge, unexpected thrill was coming her way. Geena was invited to participate in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She earned her way up onto the Jumbtron. She had turned herself into an actual athlete with her "real life" port. Geena made peace with her ADD diagnosis.
In the beginning, Geena didn't expect it to take over her life. She checked with her mother's friends to see if they'd realized Geena's discovery. Not one of them noticed. She points out that if we're to achieve true equality, one should outweigh the other. So, Geena decided to bring it up with people in her industry. Their response was to name a film with 1-to-2 female characters to silence questions. Insinuating that gender inequality was a thing of the past. No one took Geena seriously. They thought they had done it right. She wondered HOW could they not notice the huge gender imbalance. Now, she realized she needed the numbers. This took her life in an entirely new direction, which Geena never would have anticipated.
Geena became a middle-aged data geek by sponsoring the largest research project ever undertaken on the representation of female characters in kids entertainment - which took 2 years to complete an extensive testing. Due to outcome from that testing, that's why Geena chose to focus on what kids see first. Don't create a problem that needs to be solved later. Geena's plan was to ask the maker's of said entertainment, and share with them in a very private, collegial way. She had everything primed for the possibility of opening eyes could bring about unified change. Reactions were better than hoped. The great thing was that Geena's plan was working. Her data was the KEY to making change.
Geena's theory and mindset to invoke change is: one catagory of gross inequality in American culture where the under-representation of women can be fixed overnight: On-screen. In the time it takes to create a new television show or movie, they/we can change the future through what people see. If you can see it; you can be it. She had long told her agents that she never wanted to do an hourlong TV show. It's generally thought of as the toughest lifestyle in Hollywood for actors; so her plan was to stay far away. Or so she thought . . . One day, when Geena was 49, her agent informed her of the TV show. She was genuinely appreciative.
Despite multiple attempts for survival, Commander In Chief was cancelled. Geena kept her composure together. She took the deepest breath possible, went off the stage, gave a speech and walked off. She was too devastated to think about telling others that night.She loved that character. She loved that show. The audience loved it. But, more importantly, they brought representation to a new high for women. Then, it was all taken away in an instant. There was no way to think something better would come along. This was was to be that something better. It was everything to Geena. The pain of losing it, after pinning all of her hopes/dreams on it was completely unbearable. The loss felt like something tangible. The cancellation of the show - in other words, the brevity of her administration - seen her carry that absence for years.
