In embodiments of a transparent display active backlight, a light guide is operable as a transparent panel, and a light source generates light that the light guide reflects within the light guide. An electrowetted panel of the active backlight has electrowetted cells that are each operable to direct the reflected light from the light guide to illuminate a display panel of a display device. Each of the electrowetted cells are further operable for transparency when activated, and each of the electrowetted cells can be individually controlled.