David Steven Cohen obit

Courage the Cowardly Dog Head Writer David Steven Cohen Reportedly Dies at 58

The Courage the Cowardly Dog writer was only 58, with tributes flowing in via friends and family since his passing.

 He was not on the list.

Courage the Cowardly Dog is often synonymous with Cartoon Network’s Friday nights. The cartoon of a small, pink canine trying to save his owners in the middle of nowhere from strange and spooky things has inspired a generation of children to stand up to scary things. The show became popular, praised for its surrealistic storytelling and dark atmosphere. Sadly, the person in charge of many classic episodes, David Steven Cohen, is reported to have passed away recently. Jerry Beck, animation historian, and producer, reported on Facebook on Cohen’s passing, citing cancer as the cause of death. ToonHive has also reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Cohen had passed, he was only 58 years old.

John R. Dilworth created Courage the Cowardly Dog, and the series began life as an animated short, The Chicken from Outer Space. The short was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, leading to the animated series in 1999. While Dilworth created the short and show, Cohen joined the writing crew in the first season, his first project being the third episode. He would become the head writer, writing most of the episodes in season 2 and continuing to write for the series in seasons 3 and 4. His last work in Courage the Cowardly Dog was the penultimate episode before the series ended on November 22nd, 2002.

The Impact of Courage the Cowardly Dog and Cohen’s Work

Courage the Cowardly Dog was always a semi-ironic title. While his name meant bravery, Courage was a screamer and paranoid. However, despite his cowardness, Courage would do everything he can to save the people he loves. Courage wasn’t brave because he was fearless but because he overcame his fears to do the right thing. David Steven Cohen, alongside other writers like Dilworth, understood the pathos of the series. Cohen recognized that children loved being frightened and feeling unease, creating some of the most memorable children’s television in the early 2000s.

Some of Cohen’s most iconic segments in Courage include Klub Katz, 1000 Years of Courage, Forbidden Hat of Gold, The Transplant, The Sand Whale Strikes, and Last of the Starmakers. Cohen and the other writers infused so much unease into the show, giving off an unsettling atmosphere. Courage‘s success proved that kids like feeling unease, showing there’s a market for children’s horror. Cohen was an accomplished writer who worked on series outside of Courage; he has credits on Balto, The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss, and Phil of the Future.

Our thoughts are with David Steven Cohen’s friends and loved ones during this difficult time.

Writer

Treasure Trekkers (2019)

Treasure Trekkers

7.8

TV Series

written by

2019

1 episode

 

Space Racers (2014)

Space Racers

7.6

TV Series

writer

How the Grouch Stole Solstice

2014–2017

5 episodes

 

Little People (2016)

Little People

7.1

TV Series

Writer

2016–2018

 

Peg+Cat (2013)

Peg+Cat

7.7

TV Series

Writer

2014–2015

2 episodes

 

Justin Bradley, Daniel Brochu, Eleanor Noble, Mark Rendall, Mitchell David Rothpan, Evan Smirnow, Michael Yarmush, Wyatt White, Samantha Reynolds, Cameron Ansell, Dallas Jokic, Roman Lutterotti, William Healy, Drew Adkins, and Jacob Ursomarzo in Arthur (1996)

Arthur

7.4

TV Series

written by

2009–2015

6 episodes

 

Viva Piñata (2006)

Viva Piñata

5.6

TV Series

writer

2006–2007

5 episodes

 

Craig Anton, Lise Simms, Raviv Ullman, Aly Michalka, and Amy Bruckner in Phil of the Future (2004)

Phil of the Future

6.9

TV Series

written by

2006

1 episode

 

Kenny the Shark (2003)

Kenny the Shark

6.6

TV Series

Writer (segment "Goodbye Ol' Chum")

2004

1 episode

 

Marty Grabstein in Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999)

Courage the Cowardly Dog

8.3

TV Series

head writer

staff writer

written by ...

1999–2002

52 episodes

 

Cartoon Cartoon Fridays (2000)

Cartoon Cartoon Fridays

8.7

TV Series

Writer

2000–2001

3 episodes

 

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996)

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss

6.8

TV Series

written by

1996

1 episode

 

Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda, Bob Hoskins, Phil Collins, Jack Angel, Jim Cummings, Danny Mann, and Robbie Rist in Balto (1995)

Balto

7.1

screenplay by

1995

 

Kirk (1995)

Kirk

2.8

TV Series

written by

1995

2 episodes

 

Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' Carson, Kim Coles, and John Henton in Living Single (1993)

Living Single

7.7

TV Series

writer

1993–1995

5 episodes

 

Vanessa Angel, John Asher, and Michael Manasseri in Weird Science (1994)

Weird Science

6.8

TV Series

writer

1994

1 episode

 

Charlene

A Cool Like That Christmas

6.4

TV Movie

Writer (as David Cohen)

1993

 

Corin Nemec, Abraham Benrubi, Billy Jayne, and Troy W. Slaten in Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990)

Parker Lewis Can't Lose

7.8

TV Series

written by

story by (as David Cohen)

1991–1993

7 episodes

 

Tiny Toon Adventures (1990)

Tiny Toon Adventures

7.5

TV Series

written by (segment "Working Pig", as David Cohen)

1990

1 episode

 

Paul Reubens in Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986)

Pee-wee's Playhouse

8.1

TV Series

writer (as David Cohen)

1990

2 episodes

 

The Wickedest Witch (1989)

The Wickedest Witch

7.0

TV Movie

story by

teleplay by (as David Cohen)

1989

 

Paul Fusco and Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros in ALF (1986)

ALF

7.4

TV Series

written by (as David Cohen)

1989

1 episode

 

ALF Tales (1988)

ALF Tales

6.2

TV Series

written by (as David Cohen)

1988

7 episodes

 

George C. Scott and Carlin Glynn in Mr. President (1987)

Mr. President

6.9

TV Series

written by (as David Cohen)

1987

4 episodes

 

Ellen Burstyn, Megan Mullally, Barry Sobel, Elaine Stritch, and Jesse R. Tendler in The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986)

The Ellen Burstyn Show

7.4

TV Series

written by (as David Cohen)

1987

1 episode

 

Fast Times (1986)

Fast Times

5.5

TV Series

written by (as David Cohen)

1986

1 episode

 

George Burns Comedy Week (1985)

George Burns Comedy Week

8.0

TV Series

written by (as David Cohen)

1985

1 episode

 

Producer

Strangers with Candy (1999)

Strangers with Candy

8.1

TV Series

consulting producer

1999

4 episodes

 

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss (1996)

The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss

6.8

TV Series

executive producer

1996–1997

2 episodes

 

Kirk (1995)

Kirk

2.8

TV Series

consulting producer

1995–1996

31 episodes

 

Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' Carson, Kim Coles, and John Henton in Living Single (1993)

Living Single

7.7

TV Series

co-executive producer (as David Cohen)

1993–1994

26 episodes

 

Charlene

A Cool Like That Christmas

6.4

TV Movie

executive producer (as David Cohen)

1993

 

Corin Nemec, Abraham Benrubi, Billy Jayne, and Troy W. Slaten in Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990)

Parker Lewis Can't Lose

7.8

TV Series

co-executive producer

supervising producer (as David Cohen)

1991–1993

47 episodes

 

Jahary Bennett, Claude Brooks, Trent Cameron, Penny Johnson Jerald, Darryl Sivad, and Billy Dee Willis in Homeroom (1989)

Homeroom

7.0

TV Series

producer

1989

1 episode

 

Music Department

Space Racers (2014)

Space Racers

7.6

TV Series

lyricist: theme music

lyrics by

2014–2017

6 episodes

 

John Ritter, Jenna Elfman, Kel Mitchell, Wilmer Valderrama, Wayne Brady, Grey Griffin, Jess Harnell, and Cree Summer in Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)

Clifford's Really Big Movie

5.4

songs written by

2004

 

Script and Continuity Department

George C. Scott and Carlin Glynn in Mr. President (1987)

Mr. President

6.9

TV Series

executive script consultant

1987

2 episodes

 

Additional Crew

Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' Carson, Kim Coles, and John Henton in Living Single (1993)

Living Single

7.7

TV Series

executive consultant

1994–1995

22 episodes

 

Paul Fusco and Mihaly 'Michu' Meszaros in ALF (1986)

ALF

7.4

TV Series

executive story consultant

1988–1989

26 episodes

 

ALF Tales (1988)

ALF Tales

6.2

TV Series

story editor (as David Cohen)

1988

13 episodes

 

Ellen Burstyn, Megan Mullally, Barry Sobel, Elaine Stritch, and Jesse R. Tendler in The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986)

The Ellen Burstyn Show

7.4

TV Series

story editor (as David S. Cohn)

1986–1987

 

Soundtrack

John Ritter, Jenna Elfman, Kel Mitchell, Wilmer Valderrama, Wayne Brady, Grey Griffin, Jess Harnell, and Cree Summer in Clifford's Really Big Movie (2004)

Clifford's Really Big Movie

5.4

writer: "Until I Go", "Party Time", "I'm Not Scared Anymore", "You and Me", "Big Time", "Larry's Amazing Animals", "Until I Go (Reprise)"

2004

 

Marty Grabstein in Courage the Cowardly Dog (1999)

Courage the Cowardly Dog

8.3

TV Series

writer: "The Banana Song"

2000

1 episode

 

Corin Nemec, Abraham Benrubi, Billy Jayne, and Troy W. Slaten in Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990)

Parker Lewis Can't Lose

7.8

TV Series

lyrics: "Heartburn of Love"

lyrics: "Brain Dead"

1991–1992

2 episodes