Emory Cohen is an American actor who has steadily risen to fame with his applaudable performances on screen. Known for his depth and natural talent, Cohen has taken on a variety of roles throughout his career. Most recently, he has gained attention for his role in the action-thriller Rebel Ridge (2024), a Netflix hit currently making buzz.
But what has shaped Cohen’s journey to success, and what lies ahead for this talented actor?
Emory Cohen biography
Emory Isaac Cohen was born on March 13, 1990, in New York City, USA. He is of Jewish descent with Russian roots. His family has been in New York for four generations, with his ancestors originally emigrating from Russia. Raised as the only child of Donna Cohen, a preschool director, and Noel Cohen, a music teacher, Cohen grew up in a creative and supportive environment that encouraged his love for the arts.
From a young age, Cohen showed an interest in acting and he made his stage debut in a school production of The Threepenny Opera. This early experience helped shape his passion for performance. He attended Elisabeth Irwin High School, where he continued to study acting and graduated in 2008. He then received a full scholarship to study at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. However, after two years, Cohen decided to drop out and return to New York to focus on his acting career.
Physically, Cohen stands at 5′ 7½” (1.71 metres) and has a strong yet approachable presence. His height, along with his striking features, adds to his on-screen charisma. He has maintained a healthy build throughout his career, weighing around 70 kg (154 lbs). As a Pisces, Cohen is often described as empathetic, intuitive and creative—traits that may influence both his personal life and acting style.
ALSO READ: Mia Threapleton: Kate Winslet’ daughter who’s climbing the ladder in Hollywood
Emory Cohen career
Cohen’s career took off with a promising start when he made his feature film debut in Afterschool (2008). The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, gave Cohen his first taste of the critical spotlight, setting the stage for what would become a diverse and evolving career.
In 2012, he landed a role in Derek Cianfrance’s crime drama, The Place Beyond the Pines. Playing AJ Cross, the troubled son of Bradley Cooper’s character, Cohen showcased his ability to take on emotionally complex roles. His portrayal was praised for its rawness and depth. The film was a box office success and established Cohen as a rising star.
His next major breakthrough came in 2015 with Brooklyn, where he played Tony Fiorello, the charming and warm-hearted Italian-American love interest of Saoirse Ronan’s character, Eilis. Cohen’s performance in Brooklyn was widely praised, with critics highlighting his ability to bring tenderness and sincerity to the role. The chemistry between Cohen and Ronan gave the film its emotional core, and many saw his portrayal of Tony as the heart of the story. His work in Brooklyn earned him significant recognition, with critics like Rex Reed calling it “wonderful, warm, and deeply touching”.
Cohen continued to explore a range of roles in both independent films and mainstream projects. In 2016, he took on a leading role in the Netflix series, The OA, playing Homer Roberts, a complex character in a show that blended mystery, science fiction, and spiritual elements. His performance added layers of intensity and emotion to the series, and The OA gained a dedicated following, further boosting his profile.
Throughout his career, Cohen has demonstrated versatility, moving from indie films like Beneath the Harvest Sky (2014), where he played a troubled teen involved in the illegal drug trade, to larger productions such as War Machine (2017) alongside Brad Pitt. His ability to seamlessly shift between different genres and roles has earned him a reputation as a dynamic actor, unafraid to take risks.
Some of his other notable roles include Stealing Cars (2015), where he played a defiant teen in a juvenile detention centre and Shot Caller (2017), where he appeared as Howie in a gritty prison drama. He also starred in The Bikeriders (2023), solidifying his place in the world of independent cinema, while continuing to push boundaries with his choices.
Emory Cohen movies
Here is an outline of Cohen’s filmography over the years:
- Rebel Ridge (2024) as Officer Steve Lann
- The Bikeriders (2023) as Cockroach
- Florida Man (2023) TV Mini-Series, as Moss Yankov (7 episodes)
- American Outlaws (2023) as Dylan Dougherty
- Big Gold Brick (2022) as Samuel Liston, Santa Voice
- Blue Bayou (2021) as Denny
- The Birthday Cake (2021) as Leo
- Flashback (2020) as Sebastian
- Killerman (2019) as Skunk
- The Loudest Voice (2019) TV Mini-Series, as Joe Lindsley (2 episodes)
- The OA (2016–2019) TV Series, as Homer Roberts (14 episodes)
- Sweetheart (2019) as Lucas
- The Wolf Hour (2019) as Billy
- Lords of Chaos (2018) as Kristian “Varg” Vikernes
- Shot Caller (2017) as Howie
- War Machine (2017) as Willy Dunne
- Hot Summer Nights (2017) as Dex
- The Duel (2016) as Isaac Brant
- Vincent N Roxxy (2016) as JC
- Detour (2016) as Johnny Ray
- Stealing Cars (2015) as Billy Wyatt
- Brooklyn (2015) as Tony
- The Gambler (2014) as Dexter
- Beneath the Harvest Sky (2013) as Casper
- Smash (2012–2013) TV Series, as Leo Houston (15 episodes)
- All Is Bright (2013) as Lou (who buys a tree)
- Nor’easter (2012) as Danny Strout
- The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) as AJ
- Four (2012) as June
- The Hungry Ghosts (2009) as Matthew
- New York, I Love You (2008) as Prom Date (segment “Brett Ratner”) (uncredited)
- Tess and Nana (2008) Short film, as Juiceman
- Afterschool (2008) as Trevor
ALSO READ: Jessica Hahn: Actress whose life’s been marked by scandal, redemption
Emory Cohen’s net worth
According to several online sources, Cohen has an estimated net worth that ranges between $1.2 million and $15 million as of 2024,
Emory Cohen family
Cohen was born to parents Noel Cohen and Donna Cohen in New York City. His father, Noel, worked in the music industry, and his mother, Donna, had a career in early childhood education. They are quite private about his family life, and there is limited publicly available information regarding his relatives or personal family matters. What is known is that Cohen was born to a Jewish family in New York City.
Emory Cohen age
Cohen was born on March 7, 1990. So, he is 34 years old as of 2024.
Emory Cohen now
In recent years, Emory Cohen has continued to build on his reputation as a versatile actor, taking on a variety of roles in both film and television. His latest project, is Rebel Ridge (2024), an action-thriller where acting for which his acting has been applauded. Released on Netflix in September 2024, Rebel Ridge quickly shot to the top of the streaming platform’s movie list, reaching the No. 1 spot by mid-September. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Cohen starred alongside Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, and AnnaSophia Robb.
Despite the buzz surrounding his latest work, Cohen has remained relatively low-key on social media. He does not maintain an active personal presence on major platforms like Instagram or Twitter. However, fan pages dedicated to him still thrive, with one notable account amassing 8,529 followers as of September 2024.
ALSO READ: Mari Yamamoto: How passion for storytelling fueled a multifaceted career