Larry Cohen, the writer – director – producer who made his mark in television and feature films, has died at the age of 77.
I first became aware of Mr. Cohen when he wrote and directed the low-budget horror cult classic It’s Alive. After that I saw Cohen’s name pop-up from time to time but it wasn’t until Cohen’s adaption of Mickey Spillane’s I, the Jury that I really began to take notice.
Cohen’s I, the Jury, directed by Richard T. Heffron starred Armand Assante as Mike Hammer. That film really hit a sweet-spot for me. As I learned more about the people behind the making of the film I discovered that Cohen had created two television series that I loved as a kid: Branded and The Invaders!
Cohen broke into the business writing for television creating scripts for The Fugitive, The Rat Patrol, Custer (3 shows I loved as a kid) and many other series. He went on to create Branded and The Invaders. Cohen’s tv work led to theatrical films where he wrote and directed Black Caesar, Hell Up in Harlem, Q and others.
Had Cohen just been known for Branded or The Invaders or I, the Jury, his impact on my youth would have warranted a mention here, but to think that he did those and so much more…
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Larry Cohen’s family, friends and fans.
