Martin Cohan | |
|---|---|
| Born | Martin Paul Cohan (1932-07-04)July 4, 1932 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | May 19, 2010(2010-05-19) (aged 77) Pacific Palisades, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Mount Sinai Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Occupation | Television producer, screenwriter |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Stanford University |
| Notable works | Who's the Boss? |
| Relatives | Rhoda Gemignani (sister) |
Martin Paul Cohan[1] (July 4, 1932 – May 19, 2010), credited asMarty Cohan, was an Americantelevision producer andscreenwriter. He co-created thesitcomWho's the Boss?, which aired on theAmerican Broadcasting Company (ABC) from 1984 to 1992, with business partnerBlake Hunter.[2] Cohan is also credited with creatingSilver Spoons, which ran on the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) from 1982 to 1987 and launched the career of actorRicky Schroder.[3]
Cohan was born inSan Francisco, California, on July 4, 1932. He graduated fromLowell High School before attendingStanford University as a pre-law major. He worked several jobs to put himself through school, suffering injuries that required back surgery. After the surgery, he changed his major to drama. He received abachelor's degree intheater arts in 1955.[1][2]
Cohan began working as astage manager and assistant director at ABC after his graduation from Stanford University.[2][3] He worked in film and documentaries during this stage in his career, including the 1970 film,Catch-22, directed byMike Nichols. Cohan created a documentary calledThe Children of Paris before taking a position in a documentary firm owned byDavid L. Wolper. Cohan's work as a writer and researcher for the documentariesHollywood and the Stars in 1963 andLet My People Go: The Story of Israel in 1965 also led to a job working inUniversal Television's documentary department.[3]
During the 1970s, Cohan transitioned to writing for sitcoms, includingAll in the Family andThe Odd Couple.[3] In 1971, he achieved professional recognition as an assistant director onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show. He was awarded the best comedy episode award from theWriters Guild of America for his screenwriting on the show in 1972.[2] Cohan was also the recipient of anNAACP award for furthering interracial understanding during the 1970s.[3] After leaving The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cohan directed, produced, and wrote forThe Bob Newhart Show and was co-producer ofThe Ted Knight Show.[2]
Martin Cohan was the co-producer/co-executive producer from 1979 to 1985 onDiff'rent Strokes. In the early 1980s, he co-createdWho's the Boss? with business partner Blake Hunter.[2][3] The sitcom, starringTony Danza,Judith Light,Alyssa Milano,Danny Pintauro andKatherine Helmond, ran from 1984 to 1992. Cohan's sister, actressRhoda Gemignani, had a recurring role as Mrs. Rossini on the show.[1] Cohan and Hunter also worked as creative consultants onThe Upper Hand, the British version ofWho's the Boss?, that debuted in 1990 and aired for seven seasons on theITV network in theUnited Kingdom.[2]
Cohan also penned scripts for episodes of numerous other television shows, includingSilver Spoons andDiff'rent Strokes.
Martin Cohan died at his home inPacific Palisades, California, of large-cell lymphoma on May 19, 2010, at the age of 77.[2] He was survived by his wife, Dawn, a son, a daughter, two stepchildren, a step-grandson, and a sister.[3] His memorial service was held at Mt. Sinai's Chapel Tenach in Forest Lawn.[3]
Cohan's longtime business partner, Blake Hunter, was quoted inVariety as saying: "Marty is the brother I wish I had, the talent I stood in awe of, and the friend I can never replace."[3]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
