Etan Cohen facts for kids

Etan Cohen (born March 14, 1974) is a talented writer and director for movies. He was born in Israel and later became an American citizen. You might know his work from popular Hollywood films like Tropic Thunder, Men in Black 3, and The Bad Guys. He has also directed some movies himself.

Early Life and Education

Etan Cohen was born in Israel. When he was young, his family moved to Sharon, Massachusetts in the United States. He went to the Maimonides School and then studied at Harvard College. While at Harvard, he wrote for a funny student magazine called the Harvard Lampoon.

Career in Film and TV

Etan Cohen started his career in television. His very first scripts were for the animated show Beavis and Butt-head in the mid-1990s. He also worked on other shows created by Mike Judge, like King of the Hill.

In the late 1990s, Etan Cohen wrote for other animated series such as Recess. Later, he wrote an episode for American Dad!.

Big Movie Projects

Etan Cohen has written many scripts for well-known movies:

• In 2006, he co-wrote the movie Idiocracy.
• In 2008, he helped write the action-comedy Tropic Thunder with Ben Stiller and Justin Theroux.
• Also in 2008, he co-wrote the animated film Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. This movie was even nominated for an Annie Award for its writing.
• He wrote the script for Men in Black 3, which came out in 2012.

Directing Films

Etan Cohen also started directing movies.

• His first movie as a director was Get Hard in 2015, which he also helped write.
• In 2018, he wrote and directed the film Holmes & Watson.

Recent Work

Etan Cohen continues to write for movies. In 2022, he wrote The Bad Guys, an animated movie about a group of animal criminals trying to be good. He also contributed to the screenplay for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish in the same year. Looking ahead, he is credited as a writer for Brothers (2024) and The Bad Guys 2 (2025).

Personal Life

Etan Cohen is a religious person. He follows Jewish traditions, like keeping kosher food rules and not working on the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). He and his wife send their children to a Jewish school.

Awards and Recognitions

Etan Cohen has received some awards for his writing:

• In 2005, he won an Annie Award for his writing on the TV show King of the Hill.
• In 2007, his short film My Wife Is Retarded won an award at the US Comedy Arts Festival.
• He was nominated for an Annie Award in 2009 for his writing on Madagascar 2.
• In 2019, he received a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director for Holmes & Watson.

Key Films Written or Directed

• Idiocracy (2006) - Writer
• Tropic Thunder (2008) - Writer
• Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) - Writer
• Men in Black 3 (2012) - Writer
• Get Hard (2015) - Director and Writer
• Holmes & Watson (2018) - Director and Writer
• The Bad Guys (2022) - Writer

Key Television Shows Written For

• Beavis and Butt-head (1995–1997)
• Recess (1999)
• King of the Hill (2001–2005)
• American Dad! (2006)

See also

In Spanish: Etan Cohen para niños