Howard R. Cohen, a multifaceted creative force, was born on August 12, 1942, in the state of Illinois.
His educational background was rooted in design, having trained at the renowned Chicago Institute of Design.
In 1966, Cohen co-founded the alternative humor magazine Aadvark, which served as a platform for his innovative and quirky sense of humor.
His professional journey continued as he worked as a party joke editor for the iconic Playboy magazine.
In the 1970s, Cohen became a member of the esteemed Chicago comedy group, the Conception Corporation, alongside notable comedians Murphy Dunne, Ira Miller, and Jeff Begun.
During his tenure with the Conception Corporation, the group released three albums and produced the groundbreaking experimental video production, Void Where Prohibited by Law (1971),which was showcased in both Chicago, Illinois, and Los Angeles, California, in 1971.
Cohen's passion for filmmaking led him to write and/or direct a series of low-budget movies, primarily under the guidance of the legendary Roger Corman.
Throughout his career, Cohen was celebrated for his extensive knowledge of movie and music trivia, which ultimately culminated in the publication of his book, "Test Your Movie IQ," in 1989.
Tragically, Cohen's life was cut short when he passed away at the age of 56 due to a heart attack on April 3, 1999, in Los Angeles, California.