Rich Cohen is an American writer and journalist, born July 30, 1968, into a Jewish family in Illinois. He holds a BA from Tulane University. Cohen has established a career in journalism, contributing to publications like The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and Vanity Fair, where he is a contributing editor. He also co-created the HBO series "Vinyl" with Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger.

Cohen is the author of numerous non-fiction books. His work spans topics from Jewish gangsters in Brooklyn and anti-Nazi partisans to personal memoirs and the history of iconic brands and sports teams. Several of his books have achieved bestseller status and critical acclaim, appearing on The New York Times Best Sellers list and being recognized as Notable Books. He has also ghostwritten memoirs for notable figures. Cohen resides in Ridgefield, Connecticut, with his wife and children.

Rich Cohen began his journalism career at The New Yorker, publishing twelve stories in the "Talk of the Town" section within eighteen months. He later worked as a reporter for the New York Observer before joining the staff of Rolling Stone in 1994. Since 2007, Cohen has served as a contributing editor for Vanity Fair. In 2022, he became a columnist for The Wall Street Journal. His early admiration for journalists like A. J. Liebling, Ian Frazier, and Joseph Mitchell shaped his approach to narrative non-fiction.

Cohen's literary output covers a wide array of subjects. His early books include "Tough Jews: Fathers, Sons, and Gangster Dreams" (1998), exploring Jewish gangsters, and "The Avengers: A Jewish War Story" (2000), about anti-Nazi partisans. He has also published memoirs such as "Lake Effect" (2002) and "Sweet and Low: A Family Story" (2006), which delves into the invention of an artificial sweetener by his grandfather. Other notable works include "Israel is Real: An Obsessive Quest to Understand the Jewish Nation and its History" (2009), "The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana King" (2012), and "Monsters: The 1985 Chicago Bears and the Wild Heart of Football" (2013). He also co-wrote the memoir "When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead" with producer Jerry Weintraub.

Beyond his writing, Rich Cohen has ventured into film and television. He wrote screenplays, including "The Long Play," which Paramount Pictures announced a deal to produce with Mick Jagger and Martin Scorsese attached. Cohen also served as an advisor on the Starz series "Magic City." He is credited as a co-creator, alongside Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, and Terence Winter, of the HBO series "Vinyl."

Cohen's work has consistently garnered critical attention. His book "Tough Jews" was praised for its vivid narrative and colorful writing. "Sweet and Low" was described as a classic and a hilarious parable about the American Dream, making The New York Times' list of 100 notable books in 2006. "Israel is Real" was noted for making a complex subject riveting, while "The Fish That Ate the Whale" was called "Kiplingesque" and "masterful." His writing has been recognized in "The Best American Essays" series.