Jeffrey Jay Cohen (born June 22, 1965) is an American actor who has appeared in film and on television. Cohen's first feature film was in the 1985 film ''Paradise Motel''. It was not until 1985, he would get his big role in the film ''

Back to the Future ''Back to the Future'' is a 1985 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis and written by Zemeckis and Bob Gale. It stars Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Crispin Glover, and Thomas F. Wilson. Set in 1985 ...

'' as Skinhead, a member of

Biff Tannen Biff Tannen is a fictional character in the ''Back to the Future'' trilogy. Thomas F. Wilson plays Biff in all three films as well as the Universal Studios ride, and voiced the character in the animated series. Aidan Cutler played him in the or ...

's gang. In 1989, he reprised his role in ''

Back to the Future Part II ''Back to the Future Part II'' is a 1989 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Bob Gale; both wrote the story. It is a sequel to the 1985 film ''Back to the Future'' and the second installment in the Back ...

'', a year later, he appeared in '' Back to the Future Part III'' as a member of Needles' gang. According to the DVD commentary, he was originally up for the role of Biff but did not appear physically intimidating when standing against the 6' 0½"

Eric Stoltz Eric Cameron Stoltz (born September 30, 1961) is an American actor, director and producer. He played Rocky Dennis in the biographical drama film ''Mask'' (1985), which earned him the nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting ...

who was originally cast as

Marty McFly Marty McFly is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Back to the Future (franchise), ''Back to the Future'' franchise. He is a high school student living in the fictional town of Hill Valley (Back to the Future), Hill Valley, California ...

. Writer and producer

Bob Gale Michael Robert Gale (born May 25, 1951) is an American screenwriter, comic book writer, film producer and director. He is best known for co-writing the science fiction comedy film ''Back to the Future'' with his writing partner Robert Zemecki ...

noted that, had the much shorter

Michael J. Fox Michael Andrew Fox (born June 9, 1961), known professionally as Michael J. Fox, is a Canadian and American actor and activist. Beginning his career as a child actor in the 1970s, he rose to prominence portraying Alex P. Keaton on the NBC sitcom ...

been cast as Marty from the beginning as they had hoped, Cohen probably would have played Biff. Cohen's other film roles include the 1985 film ''

Secret Admirer A secret admirer is an individual who feels adoration, fondness or love for another person without disclosing their identity to that person, and who might send gifts or love letters to their Puppy love, crush. Grade school The goal of a secret a ...

''. He starred in the 1986 drama film '' Fire with Fire''. Cohen's other big role was in the 1987 action film ''

The Principal ''The Principal'' is a 1987 action comedy film starring Jim Belushi, Louis Gossett Jr. and Rae Dawn Chong. Written by Frank Deese and directed by Christopher Cain, it was filmed in Oakland, California, and at Northgate High School in near ...

'' as White Zac. He also appeared in the 1988 horror film ''

976-EVIL ''976-EVIL'' is a 1988 American supernatural horror film directed by actor Robert Englund in his directorial debut, and co-written by Brian Helgeland. It stars Stephen Geoffreys, Patrick O'Bryan, Jim Metzler, Maria Rubell, and Sandy Dennis. T ...

''. Cohen's most recent film was in the 2000 film ''

Almost Famous ''Almost Famous'' is a 2000 American comedy drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe, starring Billy Crudup, Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Patrick Fugit, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It tells the story of a teenage journalist, played b ...

''. Cohen has appeared in television series, including '' V: The Series'', ''

Baywatch ''Baywatch'' is an American Drama (film and television), drama television series about lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles County, California, and Hawaii, starring David Hasselhoff. It was created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz ...

'', ''

Amazing Stories ''Amazing Stories'' is an American science fiction magazine launched in April 1926 by Hugo Gernsback's Experimenter Publishing. It was the first magazine devoted solely to science fiction. Science fiction stories had made regular appearance ...

'' (The Mission), '' Pacific Blue'' and ''

Providence Providence often refers to: * Providentia, the divine personification of foresight in ancient Roman religion * Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes in some religions * Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island in the ...

''.

Selected filmography

* 1985: ''Paradise Motel'' as "Shooter" Spinelli * 1985: ''

'' as Barry * 1985: ''

'' as Joey "Skinhead" * 1986: '' Fire with Fire'' as Myron, The Mapmaker * 1987: ''

'' as Zac "White Zac" * 1987: ''Daddy'' as Dewey * 1988: ''

'' as Marcus * 1989: ''

'' as Joey "Skinhead" * 1990: '' Back to the Future Part III'' as Needles' Gang Member * 1994: ''Object of Obsession'' as Homeless Man * 1998: '' The Night Caller'' as Bicyclist * 2000: ''

'' as Scully, The Roadie

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cohen, J. J. 1965 births American male film actors American male television actors Living people Place of birth missing (living people)