my biography
Scott Cohen has become very recognizable from his many character portrayals in television, theater, and film. A very versatile actor, Mr. Cohen has garnered rave reviews for his varied, wide range of performances.
Most recently he can be heard as the narrator for the History Channel’s ANCIENT EMPIRES and seen on CBS’s hit series EAST NEW YORK and in the upcoming HBO MAX series THE GIRLS ON THE BUS, MAX’s THE PENGUIN with Colin Farrell and Jeff Ryan’s new film, MOOCH. He starred in Joanna Arnow’s feature THE FEELING THAT THE TIME FOR DOING SOMETHING HAS PASSED, which was in competition at Cannes 2023 and has completed the festival circuit at Deauville, Toronto, New York, and AFI, picked up by Magnolia Films for a release in 2024. Mr. Cohen recently completed filming Yuri Zeltser’s new film CIRCUMCISION, where he plays multiple roles in the film. His work has included the series THE FIX, BILLIONS, THE AMERICANS, which garnered him a SAG Award nomination, THE SINNER, THE BOLD TYPE, THE RESIDENT, THE EQUALIZER, POWER, and THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL along with the Sundance Jury Prize winner AS YOU ARE, directed by Miles Joris Peyrafitte. Mr. Cohen has also starred in the NBC series, ALLEGIANCE, opposite Hope Davis. Cohen executive produced Ramin Serry’s web series FILM U, a comedy of errors based on a dysfunctional university film school. In other series television, he starred in the USA NETWORK hit, NECESSARY ROUGHNESS, where he played “Nico”, the mysterious fixer, as well as THE CARRIE DIARIES, SHO’s STREET TIME with Rob Morrow, the FOX sitcom THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES, opposite Parker Posey, and the Law & Order spin-off, TRIAL by JURY. Cohen has a loyal following for his role as Max Medina on GILMORE GIRLS, his turn as Wolf for the now cult classic THE 10th KINGDOM and his masterful performance as troubled detective Harry Denby on NYPD BLUE. Other television credits include CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, ELEMENTARY, PERSON OF INTEREST, PAN AM, HAWAII FIVE-O, and GREY’S ANATOMY. Scott’s many made-for-television movies include Mitch Albom’s FOR ONE MORE DAY, ABC’s FATAL CONTACT, GIA, with Angelina Jolie, GOTTI, with Armand Assante, and KISS MY ACT, opposite Camryn Manheim. Some of Cohen’s film projects include JACK OF THE RED HEARTS with Anna Sophia Robb, as well as Tim Blake Nelson’s ANESTHESIA, Manu Boyer’s TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, Lola Kirke’s LAKE CITY, Josh Mond’s JAMES WHITE, and Hilary Brougher’s SOUTH MOUNTAIN with Talia Balsam. He starred opposite Natalie Portman in Don Roos' THE OTHER WOMAN. He also appeared in the Robert DeNiro film, EVERYBODY’S FINE, in Nicole Holofcener’s project PLEASE GIVE, and Ed Zwick’s film LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS, stars in the indie drama IRON CROSS with the late Roy Scheider and played alongside Mel Gibson and Peter Stormare in the action-packed, GET THE GRINGO. Cohen starred in the hit film and critical favorite KISSING JESSICA STEIN opposite Jennifer Westfeldt and appeared in JACOB’S LADDER, A BROTHER’S KISS, THE MAMBO KINGS, PRIVATE PARTS, BROTHER’S SHADOW with Judd Hirsch and KNOTS with John Stamos.
On stage, Cohen starred in the Broadway comedy LOSING LOUIE, David Ives’ THE OTHER WOMAN, and A NERVOUS SMILE opposite Amy Brenneman. He starred in Warren Leight’s GLIMMER, GLIMMER, SHINE at Manhattan Theatre Club. Cohen’s prolific stage work also counts numerous appearances at the Williamstown Theater Festival, including THE BIG KNIFE and LA RONDE, both directed by Joanne Woodward. Cohen was also seen in Anastasia Traina’s IN AUDELA and at Playwrights Horizons he starred in the production of Nicky Silver’s play THREE CHANGES alongside Dylan McDermott and Maura Tierney and appeared in the American premiere of Caryl Churchill's DRUNK ENOUGH TO SAY I LOVE YOU with Sam West directed by James McDonald at the Public Theater.
Along with his acting projects, Cohen is producing Anastasia Traina’s play SEAGULLS ON SULLIVAN STREET with the Director’s Company and Naked Angels in NYC. He is also producing for television THREADS and SILK CITY, with award-winning documentarian Marc Levin, THE 10th KINGDOM II with screenwriter Simon Moore, and producer Madeline Tucker, a docudrama about the music industry, entitled SCOUTS, A YEAR on ICE about the New York Rangers 1969-70 season with Stacy Cochran and a series called THE WIDOWER penned by Anastasia Traina. Cohen has delved into the directing world by taking on USA Network’s NECESSARY ROUGHNESS web series, THE NICO FILES.
Mr. Cohen has studied with Robert X. Modica, Marcia Haufrecht, Eulele Noble, Myra Rostova, Susan Batson, James Kerr, Kristin Linklater and is a lifetime member of the Actor’s Studio. He teaches acting at Hunter College, SVA, and has led workshops and panels across the country in acting and writing.
Cohen also serves on the Film Columbia Advisory Board, sits on the Board of The New York International Children’s Film Festival, is on the advisory board of the Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative, and is on the jury at the Berkshire International Film Festival. Cohen resides in upstate New York.