Cord Jefferson

Cord Jefferson Bio

Cord Jefferson is an American writer and director. After studying at the College of William & Mary, he started a career in journalism and wrote for numerous publications before becoming an editor at Gawker until 2014. Jefferson transitioned to working as a writer for television and is known for his work on notable series and his directing debut in the film American Fiction.

Early Life and Background

Cord Jefferson was born in Tucson, Arizona, U.S. He spent several years living outside the United States until his family returned to Tucson when he was about five years old. Jefferson’s family background includes a white mother and a black father, which led to challenges, including his maternal grandfather’s disapproval of his parents’ marriage. His parents divorced when he was 14 years old, after which he graduated from Canyon del Oro High School in Arizona.

Jefferson attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he pursued his undergraduate studies. After college, he lived in Los Angeles and Brooklyn, New York, and also attended New York University for business school. Jefferson’s personal life includes significant moments, such as donating a kidney to his father in 2008 and dealing with the loss of his mother to cancer in 2016.

Path to Hollywood

Jefferson began his career in journalism, writing for various publications, including Stereohyped and MollyGood. He spent two years as an editor at Gawker from 2012 to 2014, which helped him gain recognition in the media industry. His transition to television writing began in 2014 when he became a staff writer for the Starz comedy-drama series Survivor’s Remorse.

Following this, Jefferson wrote for the Comedy Central late-night series The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore from 2015 to 2016. He then worked as a story editor and consulting producer for Aziz Ansari’s Netflix comedy series Master of None and the NBC sitcom The Good Place. His contributions to these series helped establish him as a prominent writer in the television industry.

Cord Jefferson Career

Early Career (2009–2014)

During his early career, Cord Jefferson wrote for several notable publications and gained experience in journalism. His work at Gawker was particularly influential, as it allowed him to hone his writing skills and develop a unique voice. Jefferson’s early writing laid the foundation for his later success in television.

In 2014, he began his transition into television writing, which marked a significant turning point in his career. His early television projects included writing for Survivor’s Remorse and The Nightly Show, where he began to build a reputation as a talented writer.

Breakthrough (2015–present)

Cord Jefferson’s breakthrough came with his work on the HBO limited series Watchmen in 2019, where he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie for the episode titled “This Extraordinary Being.” This recognition solidified his status as a leading writer in the industry.

In 2021, Jefferson served as a writer and supervising producer for the HBO limited series Station Eleven. His directorial debut came with the satirical film American Fiction, released in 2023. The film was well-received, winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival and earning nominations for five categories at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay, which he won.

Notable Works and Milestones

Cord Jefferson is best known for his work on American Fiction, which has garnered critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. His achievements in both writing and directing highlight his versatility and talent in the entertainment industry.

Cord Jefferson Award Nominations

Cord Jefferson has received several nominations throughout his career, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie and the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for his work on American Fiction.

Cord Jefferson Awards Won

Jefferson has won notable awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series or Movie and the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for American Fiction at the 96th Academy Awards.