Obituary
HOWARD COHEN
May 1, 1944 - April 19, 2024
It is with tremendous sorrow that I announce the passing of a true Renaissance man, Howard Cohen, who left us at the age of 79 due to a heart attack. He was a man who did it all, seen it all, and certainly did it his way. He was a tasteful blend of intellectual, creative, and personality traits that always made him the most interesting man in the room. Howard is survived by his wife, Dianna. His love and adoration for her knew no bounds. He never missed a day telling her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. She brought a key element to his life, peace. Howard loved to have fun, laugh, and make memories. Howard was caring and generous, had class and panache, was a great wingman, and was a real pal. He was always there for his friends when needed. Howard had a knack for ensuring the kind of service he desired, often utilizing what he called "the green ticket".
He displayed great generosity towards organizations dedicated to assisting less fortunate members of society. The man was like a key master because he could open any door. There was never a "No" with Howard Cohen. Like a true genius, he could intuitively improvise his way through any situation. He possessed a unique ability to think beyond conventional boundaries. Howard enjoyed playing tennis and loved to swim. He was multifaceted, a master negotiator, a fascinating storyteller, and wasted no time getting things done. He was loved and appreciated, while also being feared and respected. Howard Gary Cohen was born in Manhattan, NY, on May 1, 1944. Shortly after his birth, his parents, Dorothy and Jack Cohen, moved to Miami Beach, FL, where Howard spent his formative years and developed his character. Howard received a baseball scholarship to play 3B at the University of Miami and would later play minor-league ball for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was #3 in your program but #1 in your heart. He was surrounded by some of the era's most powerful and influential people. As a child, he would dine at Jimmy Hoffa's house and sit on his lap. After years of proving his worth being streetwise, savvy, and an overall wise guy, Howard relocated to Las Vegas, NV.
He began dealing Blackjack, but it wasn't long before he became an executive at Caesar's Palace. Howard had extensive knowledge of the gaming industry. He met high rollers from all over the world and utilized his great networking skills to engage in several side projects that led him to new and interesting places. Howard owned a racehorse named Boofa Shoes. He raced her at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Los Alamitos, where she finished dead last in every race. During his pal Frank Sinatra's performance in Miami, Howard arranged for his mother and her friends to attend. Sinatra surprised them by singing a song directly to her booth, concluding with birthday wishes from Howard. Howard had a creative mind that ultimately led him to Hollywood, Howard was proudly signed by CAA, where he had instant success. Howard became an accomplished television Executive producer and maintained close relationships with cable and broadcast networks. In 2000, he sold the show "Cuck Zito's Street Justice" to the USA network.
His next show, "Las Vegas Law" for Court TV, starring his friend and best man Bucky Buchanan. During this time, Howard founded Outside the Box Entertainment and co-founded iO Film, a feature film post-production company that was on the cutting edge of film digital color correcting and mastering. The company became the go-to facility for Hollywood's independent films. It cemented its reputation when the movie Crash, which iO Film mastered, won three Academy Awards, including for Best Picture and Best Editing. Soon after, Howard led the company to its new 26,000 square foot location in the heart of Hollywood, just off Sunset Boulevard. They contributed to other films such as Monster, Saved, Black Christmas, The Messengers, and The Celestine Prophecy, just to name a few. Through his work, Howard left an indelible mark on the industry, earning the respect and admiration of peers and audiences alike. After his Hollywood career concluded, Howard returned to Las Vegas, where he continued to be an active member of the community. He devoted the rest of his life to loving and supporting his wife, Dianna, ensuring she had everything she needed, personally and professionally.
Howard took great pride in being a devoted husband, always being there for her. Sadly, Howard Cohen passed away the morning after their 34th anniversary, with his beloved wife by his side.
- Justin Brandwein
Gallery (Upload a photo of you & Howard at the bottom)
Videos
Memory wall
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him and it’s my loss but I will always remember him and lovely Lady Di; I wish you peace.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.
From an Irish headstone
Family tree
Favorites
RSVP: A Gathering to Honor Howard's Memory
