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Ethan Coen Biography

Birth Name:Ethan Jesse Coen

Birth Place:Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Profession Writer, Producer, Director, Editor, Soundtrack, Actor

Fast Facts

For forging a creative partnership unique in the history of film-making, shared the Dan David Prize, a million-dollar award presented to those who have made an outstanding contribution to humanity, with his brother, Joel
Was made a Commander of the Order of the Arts and Letters in France in 2013
Became the brother-in-law to actress Frances McDormand in 1994
Earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Princeton University in 1979
Before becoming a filmmaker, he worked as a statistician for Macy's Department Store
Quote: "The movie people let us play in the corner of the sandbox and leave us alone․ We're happy here․"
He and his brother Joel Coen form the Coen brothers, who jointly write, direct and produce their own films
Many of his films include botched crimes
Used the excuse that he's lost one of his arms during a hunting accident to try to avoid the penalties for a missed deadline at Princeton
Appeared as a native wielding a spear in his and his brother's childhood remake of "The Naked Prey․"
Used to receive sole credit for producing and none for directing, but with the release of "The Ladykillers" in 2004, officially began sharing the directing and producing credits with his brother

Awards

1984Special Jury Award-Best Feature: nominated
1986Edgar-Best Motion Picture: nominated
1986Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: nominated
1986Independent Spirit Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1988NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1991ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
1991Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1991Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1991CFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1992CFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1992Girona Film Critics Award-Best Picture: winner
1992Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Director (Regista del Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
1996Best Foreign Film Award-: winner
1996ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: winner
1996ACCA-Best Motion Picture: winner
1996LAFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
1997Oscar-Best Film Editing: nominated
1997Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
1997Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: winner
1997Eddie-Best Edited Feature Film: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Editing: nominated
1997CFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
1997Critics Choice Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1997César-Best Foreign Film (Meilleur film étranger): nominated
1997DFWFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
1997Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: winner
1997Independent Spirit Award-Best Screenplay: winner
1997FFCC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
1997Girona Film Critics Award-Best Picture: winner
1997Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
1997ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: winner
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Film Editing: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Comedy/Musical Picture: winner
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: winner
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Picture: nominated
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Motion Picture, Drama: winner
1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Film Editing: nominated
1997WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: winner
1998ACCA-Best Motion Picture: nominated
1998ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2000ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2000Sierra Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2001Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: nominated
2001Eddie-Best Edited Feature Film - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2001BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
2001ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: nominated
2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
2001SEFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2002Critics Choice Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2002Edgar-Best Motion Picture: nominated
2002Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: nominated
2002ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: winner
2002OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2002OFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2002PFCS Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
2002Nebula Award-Best Script: nominated
2002WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2003Silver Condor-Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera): nominated
2003DVD Premiere Award-Best Audio Commentary, New Release: nominated
2003Robert-Best American Film (Årets amerikanske film): nominated
2004Palme d'Or-: nominated
2004Empire Award-Best Director: nominated
2005Yoga Award-Worst Foreign Director: winner
2006Un Certain Regard Award-: nominated
2007EDA Award-Best Picture: winner
2007EDA Award-Best Film Editing: nominated
2007EDA Award-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2007EDA Award-Best Director: winner
2007AFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2007ACCA-Best Film Editing: nominated
2007ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2007ACCA-Best Director: winner
2007ACCA-Best Motion Picture: winner
2007BSFC Award-Best Director: nominated
2007Palme d'Or-: nominated
2007CFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2007CFCA Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
2007DFWFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2007DFWFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2007DFCS Award-Best Director: winner
2007FFCC Award-Best Director: winner
2007Golden Schmoes-Best Director of the Year: winner
2007Golden Schmoes-Best Screenplay of the Year: nominated
2007ICP Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2007ICP Award-Best Director: nominated
2007IFCS Award-Best Director: winner
2007KCFCC Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
2007Sierra Award-Best Director: winner
2007NBR Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2007NYFCC Award-Best Director: winner
2007NYFCC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2007OFCC Award-Best Director: winner
2007PFCS Award-Best Screenplay Adapted from Another Medium: winner
2007PFCS Award-Best Achievement in Direction: winner
2007PFCS Award-Best Achievement in Editing: winner
2007SDFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2007SFFCC Award-Best Director: winner
2007Satellite Award-Best Film Editing: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
2007Satellite Award-Best Director: winner
2007SEFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2007SEFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2007SLFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2007SLFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2007TFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2007TFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2007UFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2007UFCA Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2007VVFP Award-Best Film: nominated
2007WAFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2008Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
2008Movies for Grownups Award-Best Director: nominated
2008Oscar-Best Achievement in Film Editing: nominated
2008Oscar-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: winner
2008Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: winner
2008Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: winner
2008Saturn Award-Best Writing: nominated
2008Amanda-Best Foreign Feature Film (Årets utenlandske kinofilm): nominated
2008Eddie-Best Edited Feature Film - Dramatic: nominated
2008BAFTA Film Award-Best Editing: nominated
2008BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: nominated
2008David Lean Award for Direction-Best Director: winner
2008BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2008Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2008COFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2008COFCA Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: winner
2008Chlotrudis Award-Best Director: nominated
2008Chlotrudis Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Director: winner
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Writer: nominated
2008David-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): winner
2008DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures: winner
2008DFCC-Best Director: nominated
2008Edgar-Best Motion Picture Screen Play: nominated
2008FCCA Award-Best Foreign Film - English Language: winner
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay: winner
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Film Editing: nominated
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Director: winner
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Motion Picture: winner
2008Golden Globe-Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: winner
2008Golden Globe-Best Director - Motion Picture: nominated
2008HFCS Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2008HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2008ICP Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2008ICS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2008ICS Award-Best Editing: nominated
2008INOCA-Best Film Editing: nominated
2008INOCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2008INOCA-Best Director: nominated
2008IFC Award-Best Director: winner
2008Silver Ribbon-Best Non-European Director (Regista del Miglior Film Non-Europeo): nominated
2008IOMA-Best Adapted Screenplay (Miglior sceneggiatura non originale): winner
2008IOMA-Best Director (Miglior regia): nominated
2008IOMA-Best Editing (Miglior montaggio): winner
2008IOMA-Best Picture (Miglior film): nominated
2008ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: nominated
2008ALFS Award-Director of the Year: nominated
2008NSFC Award-Best Director: nominated
2008NTFCA Award-Best Director: winner
2008OFTA Film Award-Best Picture: nominated
2008OFTA Film Award-Best Director: nominated
2008OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: winner
2008OFTA Film Award-Best Film Editing: winner
2008OFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2008OFCS Award-Best Editing: winner
2008OFCS Award-Best Director: winner
2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: winner
2008White Elephant-Best Foreign Film: nominated
2008White Elephant-Best Foreign Film: winner
2008USC Scripter Award-: winner
2008VFCC Award-Best Director: winner
2008WGA Award (Screen)-Best Adapted Screenplay: winner
2009Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
2009EDA Award-Best Writing, Original Screenplay: nominated
2009Silver Condor-Best Foreign Film, Not in the Spanish Language (Mejor Película Extranjera): nominated
2009ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2009BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
2009Bodil-Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film): nominated
2009BSFC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2009BSFC Award-Best Film Editing: nominated
2009CFCA Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2009CFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2009Cinema Brazil Grand Prize-Best Foreign-Language Film (Melhor Filme Estrangeiro): nominated
2009DFWFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2009DFWFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2009Robert-Best American Film (Årets amerikanske film): winner
2009Edgar-Best Motion Picture Screenplay: nominated
2009Empire Award-Best Director: nominated
2009Golden Eagle-Best Foreign Film: nominated
2009Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Feature: nominated
2009ICP Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2009ICP Award-Best Director: nominated
2009IOFCP Award-Best Film Editing: winner
2009IOFCP Award-Best Director: nominated
2009IOFCP Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2009Kinema Junpo Award-Best Foreign Language Film: winner
2009NBR Award-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2009Critics Award-Best Foreign Director (Melhor Diretor Estrangeiro): winner
2009SDFCS Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2009Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2009TFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2009WAFCA Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2009WGA Award (Screen)-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2010Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
2010Oscar-Best Writing, Original Screenplay: nominated
2010Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2010Eddie-Best Edited Feature Film - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2010ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2010BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
2010Top 10 Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2010CFCA Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
2010Critics Choice Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2010Robert-Best American Film (Årets amerikanske film): nominated
2010David-Best Foreign Film (Miglior Film Straniero): nominated
2010DFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2010Independent Spirit Award-Best Director: nominated
2010Robert Altman Award-: winner
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Adapted Screenplay of the Decade: nominated
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Original Screenplay: nominated
2010Golden Schmoes-Best Screenplay of the Year: nominated
2010HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2010ICS Award-Best Editing: nominated
2010ICS Award-Best Director: winner
2010ICS Award-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2010INOCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2010IOFCP Award-Best Director of the Decade: nominated
2010IOMA-Best Original Screenplay (Miglior sceneggiatura originale): nominated
2010Sierra Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2010ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: nominated
2010NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2010OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2010OFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2010OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2010PFCS Award-Best Screenplay - Adaptation: nominated
2010PFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2010SLFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2010TFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2010UFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2010UFCA Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2010WAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2010WAFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2010WGA Award (Screen)-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2011Felix-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2011Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
2011Oscar-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2011Oscar-Best Achievement in Directing: nominated
2011Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2011EDA Award-Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2011BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay (Adapted): nominated
2011BAFTA Film Award-Best Film: nominated
2011COFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2011Critics Choice Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted: nominated
2011Critics Choice Award-Best Director: nominated
2011DFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2011DFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2011DFCC-Best Director: nominated
2011ICS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2011IOMA-Best Adapted Screenplay (Miglior sceneggiatura non originale): nominated
2011ALFS Award-Director of the Year: nominated
2011ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: nominated
2011NTFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2011OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
2011OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2011OFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2011PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2011White Elephant-Best Foreign Film: nominated
2011USC Scripter Award-: nominated
2011VFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
2011VFCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2011Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2011Spur Award-Best Western Drama: winner
2011WGA Award (Screen)-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2012Felix-Best Film Editing: nominated
2012Felix-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2012Bodil-Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film): nominated
2012Girona Film Critics Award-Best Picture: nominated
2013EDA Award-Best Picture: nominated
2013EDA Award-Best Writing, Original Screenplay: nominated
2013EDA Award-Best Director: nominated
2013ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2013Palme d'Or-: nominated
2013Grand Prize of the Jury-: winner
2013CFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2013CFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2013Audience Choice Award-: nominated
2013Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Feature: winner
2013Art Cinema Award-: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Original Song: winner
2013ICP Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2013ICP Award-Best Director: nominated
2013NBR Award-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2013OFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2013OFCS Award-Best Editing: nominated
2013OFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2013PFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2013PFCS Award-Best Screenplay - Original: nominated
2013SDFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2013SDFCS Award-Best Director: nominated
2013SFFCC Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2013Screenplay Competition-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2013TFCA Award-Best Screenplay, Adapted or Original: nominated
2013TFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2013VVFP Award-Best Director: nominated
2013VVFP Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2013WAFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2014AACTA International Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated
2014Saturn Award-Best Writing: nominated
2014Eddie-Best Edited Feature Film - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2014BAFTA Film Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2014COFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2014CinEuphoria-Best Director - International Competition: nominated
2014CinEuphoria-Best Film - International Competition: nominated
2014CinEuphoria-Best Screenplay - International Competition: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2014Independent Spirit Award-Best Feature: nominated
2014GAFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2014GAFCA Award-Best Original Song: winner
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Original Screenplay: nominated
2014Gold Derby Film Award-Original Song: nominated
2014Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
2014ICS Award-Best Director: nominated
2014ICS Award-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2014INOCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2014INOCA-Best Original Song: nominated
2014INOCA-Best Director: nominated
2014ALFS Award-Screenwriter of the Year: winner
2014NSFC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2014NSFC Award-Best Director: winner
2014NCFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Picture: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2014SDFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Director: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Director: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2014Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Film Editing: nominated
2014SLFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2014VFCC Award-Best Director: nominated
2014VFCC Award-Best Screenplay: winner
2015ASECAN Award-Best Foreign Film: nominated
2015Silver Condor-Best Foreign Film, Not in the Spanish Language (Mejor Película Extranjera): nominated
2015ACCA-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2015Bodil-Best American Film (Bedste amerikanske film): nominated
2015CFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2015Critics Choice Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2015IFJA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2015PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
2015PCC Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
2015PFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2015Screenplay Competition-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2015WAFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2016Oscar-Best Writing, Original Screenplay: nominated
2016BAFTA Film Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2016GAFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2016Gold Derby Film Award-Original Screenplay: nominated
2016NCFCA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2016OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
2016PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: winner
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
2016Satellite Award-Best Screenplay, Original: nominated
2016WGA Award (Screen)-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2017Felix-Best Original Screenplay: winner
2017Felix-Best Editing: nominated
2017EDA Award-Best Writing, Original Screenplay: nominated
2017Eddie-Best Edited Feature Film - Comedy: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
2017Yoga Award-Worst Foreign Director: winner
2018International Feature Award-Best Feature: nominated
2018IFJA Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated
2018SDFCS Award-Best Editing: nominated
2018SDFCS Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2018The Best Film-The 50 best films of 2018 in the UK: nominated
2018Golden Osella-Best Screenplay: winner
2018Golden Lion-Best Film: nominated
2019Oscar-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
2019Chlotrudis Award-Best Original Screenplay: nominated
2019NCFCA Award-Best Director: nominated
2019Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2022Golden Eye-: nominated
2024PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: nominated