Marta Kauffman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marta Fran Kauffman (1956-09-21)September 21, 1956 (age 69) |
| Alma mater | Brandeis University |
| Occupation(s) | TV producer, writer |
| Known for | Co-creator ofFriends |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Marta Fran Kauffman (born September 21, 1956) is an American television writer and producer. She is best known for co-creating theNBC sitcomFriends with her longtime friend,David Crane; Crane and Kauffman similarly were in a friend group with four other people.[1] Crane and Kauffman were also executive producers of the show, along withKevin S. Bright; and producedVeronica's Closet andJesse. From 2005 to 2006 she was an executive producer onRelated. Both writers were the creators of theHBO seriesDream On. Without Crane, she co-created theNetflix seriesGrace and Frankie.
Born in thePhiladelphia suburbs, Kauffman was raised in a conservativeJewish household.[2][3] Kauffman attended Marple Newtown High School, located in theMarple Newtown School District near Philadelphia, where she was a thespian and student director of the school play "Our Town" in 1974. Kauffman attendedBrandeis University and received a BA in theater in 1978. During her time there, she was a sister ofSigma Delta Tau sorority. Kauffman also studied acting atThe Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater inNew York City. She then moved toSherman Oaks, a suburb ofLos Angeles.
Okay Goodnight production company was headed by partners Kauffman, Robbie Rowe Tollin, and Hannah KS Canter.Fox 21 Television Studios signed Okay Goodnight to a multi-year first-look agreement deal in January 2020, starting withThe Dreamers novel adaptation; The Littlefield Company is also in the deal.[1]
Kauffman married Michael Skloff, who composed theFriends theme song, and lived in Los Angeles.[3] The couple have three children together.[3] Kauffman is a registeredDemocrat.[4][5]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Everything's Relative | Writer | 1 episode |
| 1990–1996 | Dream On | Creator, writer (1990–1996), producer (1990 14 episodes), co-executive producer (1991–1992 – 40 episodes), creative consultant | TV series |
| 1991 | Sunday Dinner | Writer | 1 episode |
| 1992–1993 | The Powers That Be | Creator, writer | TV series |
| 1993 | Family Album | Co-creator, writer, executive producer (6 episodes) | TV series |
| 1994 | Couples | Writer, associate producer | TV movie |
| 1994–2004 | Friends | Creator, writer, executive producer, extra | Casting director – uncredited |
| 1997–2000 | Veronica's Closet | Creator, writer, executive producer (66 episodes) | TV series |
| 1998–2000 | Jesse | Executive producer (34 episodes) | TV series |
| 2005–2006 | Related | Executive producer, writer | TV series |
| 2007 | Gifted | Executive producer | TV movie special |
| 2008 | Blessed Is the Match: The Life and Death of Hannah Senesh | Executive producer | Documentary |
| 2010–2015 | Independent Lenses | Executive producer | TV series documentary |
| 2011 | Five | Creator, executive producer | TV movie |
| 2012 | Hava Nagila: The Movie | Producer | Documentary |
| 2012 | Georgia | Writer, director (3 episodes) | TV series |
| 2013 | Call Me Crazy: A Five Film | Creator, executive producer | |
| 2014 | Mimi and Dona | Executive producer | Documentary |
| 2015–2022 | Grace and Frankie | Co-creator, writer, executive producer, director | TV series; alongside Howard J. Morris |
| 2018 | Seeing Allred | Producer | Documentary |
| 2018 | Beetlejuice The Musical. The Musical. The Musical. | Producer | Musical |
| 2021 | Friends: The Reunion | Producer | TV movie special |
| Year | Award | Category | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Comedy Series –Friends (TV Series) | Winner |
| 2003, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1995 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Comedy Series –Friends (TV Series) | Nominee |
| 1993 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series –Dream On (TV Series) | Nominee |
| 1994, 1993, 1991 | CableACE Award | Comedy Series | Nominee |
| 1993 | CableACE Award | Writing a Comedy Series –Dream On (TV Series) | Winner |
| 1992 | CableACE Award | Comedy Series –Dream On (TV Series) | Winner |
| 2004 | Gold Derby Awards – TV Award | Episode of the Year –Friends (TV Series) | Nominee |
| 2002 | Online Film & Television Association – Television Award | Best Writing in a Comedy Series –Friends (TV Series) | Winner |
| 2020 | PGA Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award in Television | Winner |
| 2004 | TV Quick Awards, UK | Best Comedy Show –Friends (TV Series) | Winner |
| 2012 | Women's Image Network Awards | Outstanding Show Produced by a Women –Five (Movie) | Winner |
