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.
Marta Kauffman | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marta Fran Kauffman September 21, 1956 |
| Alma mater | Brandeis University |
| Occupation(s) | TV producer, writer |
| Known for | Co-creator of Friends |
| Spouse |
Michael Skloff (m. 1984) |
| Children | 3 |
Early life and education
editBorn 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
editOkay 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
editKauffman 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- ^ 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.
- ^ "21 Jewish Facts About 'Friends' You Should Know". May 26, 2021.
- ^ 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
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
