Jump to content

Marta Kauffman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Marta Kauffman
Born
Marta Fran Kauffman

(1956-09-21) September 21, 1956 (age 68)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materBrandeis University
Occupation(s)TV producer, writer
Known forCo-creator of Friends
Spouse
Michael Skloff
​
(m. 1984)​
Children3

Marta Fran Kauffman (born 21 September 1956) is an American television writer and producer. She is best known as the co-creator of the NBC sitcom Friends with her longtime friend, David Crane; Crane and Kauffman similarly were in a friend group with four other people.[1] Both Kauffman and Crane were also executive producers of the show, along with Kevin Bright. Kauffman and Crane produced Veronica's Closet and Jesse. From 2005 to 2006 she was an executive producer on Related. Both writers were the creators of the HBO series Dream On. Without Crane, she co-created the Netflix series Grace and Frankie.

Early life and education

[edit]

Born in the Philadelphia suburbs, Kauffman was raised in a conservative Jewish household.[2][3] Kauffman attended Marple Newtown High School, located in the Marple Newtown School District near Philadelphia, where she was a thespian and student director of the school play "Our Town" in 1974. Kauffman attended Brandeis University and received a BA in theater in 1978. During her time there, she was a sister of Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Kauffman also studied acting at The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater in New York City. She then moved to Sherman Oaks, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Career

[edit]

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 with The Dreamers novel adaptation; The Littlefield Company is also in the deal.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

Kauffman married Michael Skloff, who composed the Friends theme song, and lived in Los Angeles.[3] The couple have three children together.[3] Kauffman is a registered Democrat.[4][5]

Filmography

[edit]
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

Awards and nominations

[edit]
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

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Low, Elaine (January 23, 2020). "Marta Kauffman's Okay Goodnight, Fox 21 TV Studios Ink First-Look Deal". Variety. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "21 Jewish Facts About 'Friends' You Should Know". May 26, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Jewish Journal: "For Kauffman, Making 'Match' Was a Blessing" by Danielle Berrin Archived November 26, 2015, at the Wayback Machine January 16, 2009
  4. ^ Friedlander, Whitney (August 3, 2017). "Inside Marta Kauffman's 'Grace and Frankie' Office". Variety. Archived from the original on May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Daunt, Tina (August 29, 2013). "Democrats Expand Obama's Hancock Park Fundraiser". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marta_Kauffman&oldid=1241032693"