Marta Fran Kauffman(born September 21, 1956) is an American television writer and producer. She is best known for co-creating theNBCsitcomFriendswith 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 ClosetandJesse.From 2005 to 2006 she was an executive producer onRelated.Both writers were the creators of theHBOseriesDream On.Without Crane, she co-created theNetflixseriesGrace and Frankie.
Marta Kauffman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marta Fran Kauffman September 21, 1956 |
| Alma mater | Brandeis University |
| Occupation(s) | TV producer, writer |
| Known for | Co-creator ofFriends |
| Spouse |
Michael Skloff (m.1984) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
editBorn in thePhiladelphiasuburbs, Kauffman was raised in a conservativeJewishhousehold.[2][3]Kauffman attended Marple Newtown High School, located in theMarple Newtown School Districtnear Philadelphia, where she was a thespian and student director of the school play "Our Town" in 1974. Kauffman attendedBrandeis Universityand received a BA in theater in 1978. During her time there, she was a sister ofSigma Delta Tausorority. Kauffman also studied acting atThe Neighborhood Playhouse School of the TheaterinNew York City.She then moved toSherman Oaks,a suburb ofLos Angeles.
Career
editOkay Goodnight production company was headed by partners Kauffman, Robbie Rowe Tollin, and Hannah KS Canter.Fox 21 Television Studiossigned Okay Goodnight to a multi-year first-look agreement deal in January 2020, starting withThe Dreamersnovel adaptation; The Littlefield Company is also in the deal.[1]
Personal life
editKauffman married Michael Skloff, who composed theFriendstheme song, and lived in Los Angeles.[3]The couple have three children together.[3]Kauffman is a registeredDemocrat.[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- ^abLow, Elaine (January 23, 2020)."Marta Kauffman's Okay Goodnight, Fox 21 TV Studios Ink First-Look Deal".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on January 12, 2021.RetrievedApril 24,2020.
- ^"21 Jewish Facts About 'Friends' You Should Know".May 26, 2021.
- ^abcJewish Journal: "For Kauffman, Making 'Match' Was a Blessing" by Danielle BerrinArchivedNovember 26, 2015, at theWayback MachineJanuary 16, 2009
- ^Friedlander, Whitney (August 3, 2017)."Inside Marta Kauffman's 'Grace and Frankie' Office".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on May 23, 2018.RetrievedMay 22,2018.
- ^Daunt, Tina (August 29, 2013)."Democrats Expand Obama's Hancock Park Fundraiser".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on July 20, 2018.RetrievedMay 22,2018.
