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Jenji Kohan Biography

Birth Name:Jenji Leslie Kohan

Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, United States

Profession Writer, Producer, Actress, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Received her first Emmy nomation in 2009 for Outstanding Comedy Series, recognizing the success of "Weeds․"
  • Attended Beverly Hills High School, where such high-profile celebrities as Nicholas Cage, Jamie Lee Curtis and Rob Reiner also attended at different times, among dozens of other actors and filmmakers
  • As of July 2013, she is married to author Christopher Noxon, whose first book "Rejuvenile" was reportedly featured on screen in many "Weeds" episodes
  • Father Buz Kohan was an award-winning writer and producer, most often revered for producing TV specials such as 1970's "Bing Crosby's Christmas Show․"
  • Brother David Kohan is known as the creator and executive producer of hit series such as "Will & Grace" and "Good Morning, Miami․"
  • Quote: "I find that when there’s an hour-long drama and I haven’t laughed at all, it’s a lie․ There’s nowhere in life that humor doesn’t work its way in․ It’s natural․ I want it to be naturalistic․ I like to juxtapose humor against drama․ I think it reflects reality․"
  • Quote: "I don’t set out to write female lead shows, necessarily․ I like deeply flawed characters․ When they come to me, or when I’m introduced to them, I follow the stories and the people, rather than setting out to do a female lead thing․"
  • Quote: "[On collaborating with Netflix for 2013's "Orange is the New Black) "It was a dream․ They pay full budget․ They’re nice․ They’re smart․ They’re supportive․ They’re enthusiastic․""
  • Most prominently known as the creator/showrunner for the Showtime comedy-drama "Weeds․"
  • Is reportedly a close friend of "Mad Men" creator/showrunner Matthew Weiner

Awards

  • 1996CableACE-Variety Special or Series: winner
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: winner
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program: nominated
  • 1997WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: winner
  • 2007PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
  • 2009PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2009WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2010PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
  • 2014Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Year: nominated
  • 2014Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Episode of the Year: winner
  • 2014OFTA Television Award-Best Writing in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Screenplay Competition-Best Television Comedy: nominated
  • 2014WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
  • 2014WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: nominated
  • 2015Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Episode of the Year: nominated
  • 2015INOCA TV-Best Writing for a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: winner
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2015Screenplay Competition-Best Television Comedy: nominated
  • 2015WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2017USC Scripter Award-Television: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2018WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
  • 2019PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
  • 2019WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2019WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: nominated
  • 2020WGA Award (TV)-Episodic Comedy: nominated