Marta Fran Kauffman (born September 21, 1956) is an American television writer and producer. She is best known for co-creating the NBC sitcom Friends with her longtime friend, David Crane; Crane and Kauffman similarly were in a friend group with four other people. Crane and Kauffman were also executive producers of the show, along with Kevin S. Bright; and 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.
Early life and education Born in the Philadelphia suburbs, Kauffman was raised in a conservative Jewish household.Jewish Journal: "For Kauffman, Making 'Match' Was a Blessing" by Danielle Berrin January 16, 2009 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 Okay 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.
Filmography 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 consultantTV series 1991 Sunday Dinner Writer 1 episode 1992–1993 The Powers That Be Creator, writerTV 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, writerTV series2007 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 Documentary2012GeorgiaWriter, director (3 episodes)TV series 2013 Call Me Crazy: A Five Film Creator, executive producer 2014Mimi and DonaExecutive producerDocumentary 2015–2022Grace and Frankie Co-creator, writer, executive producer, director TV series; alongside Howard J. Morris2018Seeing AllredProducerDocumentary2018Beetlejuice The Musical. The Musical. The Musical.ProducerMusical 2021 Friends: The Reunion Producer TV movie special
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryStanding2002Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Comedy Series – Friends (TV Series)Winner2003, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1995Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Comedy Series – Friends (TV Series)Nominee1993Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series – Dream On (TV Series)Nominee1994, 1993, 1991CableACE AwardComedy SeriesNominee1993CableACE AwardWriting a Comedy Series – Dream On (TV Series)Winner1992CableACE AwardComedy Series – Dream On (TV Series)Winner2004Gold Derby Awards – TV AwardEpisode of the Year – Friends (TV Series)Nominee2002Online Film & Television Association – Television AwardBest Writing in a Comedy Series – Friends (TV Series)Winner2020PGA AwardsLifetime Achievement Award in TelevisionWinner2004TV Quick Awards, UKBest Comedy Show – Friends (TV Series)Winner2012Women's Image Network AwardsOutstanding Show Produced by a Women – Five (Movie)Winner
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