Emory Isaac Cohen (born March 13, 1990) is an American actor. He made his feature film debut in Afterschool (2008). He is best known for his roles as AJ Cross in Derek Cianfrance's film The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), Tony Fiorello in John Crowley's film Brooklyn (2015), and Homer in the Netflix series The OA (2016).
Early life Cohen was born in Manhattan, New York, New York, the only child of Donna (née Ackerman), a director of a preschool, and Noel Cohen, a music teacher. He is Jewish and is a fourth generation New Yorker whose ancestors immigrated from Russia. Cohen made his stage debut as Mr. Peachum in a school production of The Threepenny Opera at the Robert F. Wagner Jr. Secondary School for Arts and Technology, under the direction of Alma Whitney and Oskar Sarasky.
He graduated from Elisabeth Irwin High School in 2008 and received a full scholarship to study acting at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He trained at UArts for two years before dropping out to study acting in New York.
Career Cohen made his feature film debut in Afterschool in 2008, opposite Ezra Miller. The film premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics. His next role was in the 2010 drama film The Hungry Ghosts. In 2012, he co-starred in Derek Cianfrance's crime drama film The Place Beyond the Pines opposite Bradley Cooper and Dane DeHaan. The film received generally positive reviews and was a box office success.
He had a recurring role during the first season of Smash, playing Leo, the son of Debra Messing's character, and starred as Wendell Pierce's lover in the independent film Four.
In 2014, he appeared in the drama The Gambler playing a tennis player and in the independent film Beneath the Harvest Sky. In 2015, he portrayed Tony, the love interest of Eilis, played by Saoirse Ronan, in Brooklyn. Rex Reed praised his "wonderful, warm and deeply touching performance". In Variety, Kristopher Tapley wrote that Brooklyn offered "another reminder that Emory Cohen is one of the most exciting actors of his generation."
Cohen had a leading role in the 2015 independent film Stealing Cars, opposite Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy. He received positive reviews for his role as Billy Wyatt. In 2016, he starred in the Netflix series The OA.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 Afterschool Trevor New York, I Love You Prom Date Uncredited Tess and Nana Juiceman Short film 2009 The Hungry Ghosts Matthew 2012 Four June The Place Beyond the Pines Avery "AJ" Cross Jr. Nor'easter Danny Strout 2013 All Is Bright Lou Beneath the Harvest Sky Casper 2014 The Gambler Dexter 2015 Brooklyn Anthony "Tony" Fiorello Stealing Cars Billy Wyatt 2016 Detour Johnny Ray Vincent N Roxxy JC The Duel Isaac Brant 2017 Hot Summer Nights Dex War Machine Willy Dunne Shot Caller Howie 2018 Lords of Chaos Kristian "Varg" Vikernes 2019 The Wolf Hour Billy Sweetheart Lucas Griffin Killerman Bobby “Skunk” Santos 2020 Flashback Sebastian 2021 The Birthday Cake Leo Blue Bayou Denny 2022 Big Gold Brick Samuel Liston/Santa (voice) 2023 American Outlaws Dylan Dougherty The Bikeriders Cockroach 2024 Rebel Ridge Officer Steve Lann2025 Roofman Otis Marty Supreme Ira Mizler 2027 Filming
Television Year Title Role Notes 2012–2013 Smash Leo Houston 15 episodes 2016, 2019 The OA Homer Roberts 13 episodes 2019 The Loudest Voice Joe Lindsley 3 episodes 2023 Florida Man Moss Yankov 7 episodes2025Only Murders in the BuildingYoung LesterEpisode: "After You"
Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult2012 Los Angeles Film FestivalBest Ensemble Performance in a Narrative CompetitionFour2015Hamptons International Film FestivalBreakthrough Performer2015Detroit Film Critics SocietyBreakthrough PerformanceBrooklyn2015San Diego Film Critics Society Breakthrough ArtistBrooklyn 2015New York Film Critics OnlineBreakthrough PerformerBrooklyn2016International Cinephile SocietyBest Supporting ActorBrooklyn
References
External links