John Kohn

John Kohn
Born 1925
New York City
Died (aged 76)
Sherman Oaks, California
Nationality United States
Occupation Movie producer and writer
film executive
Spouse(s) Barbara Jaffe
Children Peter Kohn
Susan Kohn Levine
Family Sam Jaffe (father-in-law)
Amanda Pays (former daughter-in-law)

John Kohn (1925 – May 4, 2002) was an American writer and producer who also served as head of production for EMI (1979-1983).[1]

Biography

Kohn was born to a Jewish family, the son of a New York rabbi.[1] During World War II, he flew 36 missions as a tail gunner in the U.S. Air Force.[1] After his service, he graduated with a B.A. from UCLA. After school, he worked as radio writer and then as a television staff writer where he worked on Bachelor Father, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Ann Sothern Show, My Little Margie, and Dobie Gillis.[1] In 1959, he moved to London where he produced his first film, Reach for Glory and then co-wrote with Stanley Mann an adaptation of The Collector directed by William Wyler; he and Mann were nominated for a best screenplay Oscar.[1] From 1979 to 1983, Kohn served as head of production for EMI where he oversaw the production of The Jazz Singer and Tender Mercies.[1] He also independently produced Racing with the Moon and Shanghai Surprise.[1]

Personal life

In 1953, he married Barbara Jaffe, the daughter of agent-producer Sam Jaffe; they had two children, director Peter Kohn (who is married and divorced from actress Amanda Pays) and Susan Kohn Levine.[2] He died on March 4, 2002 of cancer at his home in Sherman Oaks, California.[2]

Select Credits

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "J. Kohn, 76; Movie Producer, Writer for Film and Television". Los Angeles Times, May 11, 2002
  2. 1 2 Variety: "John Kohn - Oscar-nominated writer-producer and production executive" May 8, 2002


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