Life Off the Screen: Advocacy, Scholarship, and Legacy
Beyond her acting achievements, Davis has made significant contributions as an activist and advocate for gender equality in media.
The institute has partnered with academic institutions and international organizations, including the United Nations, to conduct research showing gender disparities in children’s media and other entertainment sectors — work that has helped shift industry conversations and practices regarding representation.
Davis has also served as UN special envoy for women and girls in information and communications technology, further extending her influence into global advocacy on behalf of women in media and technology.
Personal Life and Motherhood
Davis’s personal life has included multiple marriages and joyful family milestones. She was married four times:
Richard Emmolo (1981–84)
Jeff Goldblum (1987–90), whom she met on the set of Transylvania 6‑5000.
Renny Harlin (1993–98)
Reza Jarrahy (2001–18) — with whom she welcomed her children: daughter Alizeh (born 2002) and twin sons Kaiis and Kian (born 2004).
Becoming a mother later in life brought its own challenges and rewards. While Davis has not publicly detailed whether she used IVF or other fertility treatments, welcoming children in her mid‑40s was a transformative experience that reshaped her priorities and life outlook.
She has been candid about protecting her children from the pressures of show business, emphasizing that their well‑being and self‑development come before any expectation of entering the entertainment industry.
