Emmy Award-winning television writer and producer Jenji Kohan earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series as a supervising producer for the HBO sketch comedy series Tracey Takes On… from 1996 to 1999. Prior to this pivotal role, Kohan gained foundational experience writing for acclaimed television shows including The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Mad About You, and Friends, establishing her versatile talent in comedy and drama within the industry. Kohan cemented her status as a leading television creator with the acclaimed Showtime dark comedy-drama Weeds, which she created and served as showrunner for eight successful seasons, running from 2005 to 2012.
Her next seminal project, Orange Is the New Black, debuted in 2013 as a Netflix original series, which she created and executive produced until 2019. Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir, this groundbreaking series garnered multiple prestigious awards and nominations, further solidifying her reputation for crafting critically and commercially successful narratives. Following the significant success of Orange Is the New Black, Kohan deepened her collaboration with Netflix, signing an exclusive multi-year overall deal in 2017. Under this expansive agreement, she executive produced several notable series, including the Emmy-winning GLOW (2017-2019) and Teenage Bounty Hunters (2020).
Her profound influence on the television landscape was formally recognized in 2014 when Time magazine named her one of the ‘100 Most Influential People in the World,’ acknowledging her widespread impact on contemporary storytelling. Kohan continues to shape the television landscape through her production company, Tilted Productions, actively developing new projects. Her forthcoming work includes executive producing The Decameron, a Netflix original series slated for release in 2024. Expanding her creative footprint beyond traditional production, Kohan also owns the historic Hayworth Theatre in Los Angeles, which she intends to revitalize as a vibrant venue for live performances, reflecting her enduring commitment to the arts.