Biography
As a child, Geena dreamed of being an actress. While in high
school, she felt left out and had low self esteem because at 6
feet, she was the tallest girl in school. After high school, Geena
entered New England College in New Hampshire and then transferred
the next year to Boston University where she majored in drama. In
1979, she graduated and moved to New York to start her career. Her
career consisted of sales clerk and waitress. She worked at Ann
Taylor, where she eventually rose to Saturday window mannequin
while trying to get a job with a modeling agency. Eventually signed
by the Zoli Agency at the advanced age of 23, she wound up as a
model in the Victoria Secret's Catalogue. Ever vigilant, 'Sydney
Pollack' (qv) was looking for new talent in the catalogue when he
spotted Geena and cast her in _Tootsie (1982)_ (qv). With good
reviews, Geena moved to Los Angeles where she was cast as Wendy in
the short lived, but critically acclaimed Television Series
_"Buffalo Bill" (1983)_ (qv). Her next appearance on Television was
in her own show _"Sara" (1985)_ (qv) which was also good, but soon
canceled. She then returned to the big screen in the below average
_Transylvania 6-5000 (1985)_ (qv) followed by the successful 'Chevy
Chase' (qv) movie _Fletch (1985)_ (qv). From there on, she was on a
roll with future husband 'Jeff Goldblum' (qv) in the horror remake
of _Fly, The (1986)_ (qv). More successful were 'Tim Burton' (qv)'s
dark comedy _Beetlejuice (1988)_ (qv) and _Accidental Tourist, The
(1988)_ (qv). For the last film, she was the surprise winner of the
Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. More fun movies followed with
the flying saucer in the pool _Earth Girls Are Easy (1989)_ (qv)
and everyone loves a clown _Quick Change (1990)_ (qv) with 'Bill
Murray' (qv). The very successful _Thelma & Louise (1991)_ (qv),
directed by 'Ridley Scott' (qv), again garnered nominations for the
Academy Award and Golden Globe. _League of Their Own, A (1992)_
(qv) with 'Tom Hanks' (qv) and directed by 'Penny Marshall' (qv),
was the turning point as her next film _Hero (1992)_ (qv) was only
average. Then she married director 'Renny Harlin' (qv) and they set
up a production and development company called "The Forge". Their
first film was _Speechless (1994)_ (qv) which flopped at the box
office. Undeterred, Renny decided to film the big budget _Cutthroat
Island (1995)_ (qv) starring pirate Geena, which became a HUGE
FLOP. Carrying on, Geena is now starring in the thriller, _Long
Kiss Goodnight, The (1996)_ (qv).
Biography courtesy of the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com).
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