Marta Kauffman

Marta Kauffman is a television creator, writer, and producer renowned for creating the iconic TV shows "Friends" and "Grace and Frankie." She co-founded Okay Goodnight Productions and is known for her influential role in television. Her work on "Friends," in partnership with David Crane, made it a cornerstone of NBC’s offerings, running for 10 seasons and garnering 63 Emmy nominations, winning Outstanding Comedy Series in 2002. "Friends: The Reunion" also became a ratings juggernaut. Additionally, Kauffman and Crane's HBO series "Dream On" received CableAce Awards and further Emmy nominations.

Kauffman’s expertise and contribution to the industry have been recognized with numerous awards. The Producers Guild of America honored her with the Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television. She also received the 2016 Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for lifetime achievement in television writing by the Writers Guild of America, West. Further acknowledging her talents, Kauffman earned the 2016 Outstanding Television Writer award at the 23rd annual Austin Film Festival & Screenwriters Conference and the Kieser Humanitas Award. Reflecting her impact on academia and the arts, Kauffman was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Brandeis University.

Her additional contributions to television include shows like "Georgia," "Five," "Veronica's Closet," "The Powers That Be," "Call Me Crazy: A Five Film," and the documentary "Seeing Allred." Beyond her screen accomplishments, Kauffman has committed to service and leadership, demonstrated by her roles on the Boards of Trustees for institutions such as CalArts, Oakwood School, The Lung Cancer Foundation of America, Big Sunday, and IKAR. Kauffman’s personal life is filled with joy from her three children, two grandchildren, two dogs, and a toothless cat, all of whom add to her dynamic life.