Theo Kogan

Theo Kogan
Kogan live in 2005 with Theo & the Skyscrapers
Kogan live in 2005 with Theo & the Skyscrapers
Background information
BornDecember 1969
Quito, Ecuador[1]
GenresRiot grrrl, hardcore punk, electronic
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, actress, model
Years active1987–present[2]
LabelsGo Kart, Dark Daddy, Blast First, Safe House

Theo Kogan is an American singer, songwriter, model, and actress,[3] best known as the vocalist of the all-girl punk band Lunachicks.[4] She also sang in the dance/electronic band Theo & the Skyscrapers.[5] She also had her own cosmetics line, Armour Beauty, and now works as a professional makeup artist for the TV, advertising, fashion and cosmetics industries.[3][4] She is married to Sean Pierce, the guitarist of Theo & the Skyscrapers and the Toilet Böys.[6]

Early life

Kogan was born by C-section to Jewish American parents in Quito, Ecuador, in December 1969. Her itinerant family moved to Brooklyn, New York City, when she was six months old. She grew up around musical family members: her aunt was in the National Symphony and her uncle played tympani in jazz bands. Her father conducted symphonies and created computer programs, teaching music to children. Her mother was a secretary who became art director at Diversion magazine before becoming a therapist. Her ancestry includes Jewish immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Romania several generations before her.[1]

Growing up, she was inspired by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones as well as female musicians such as Debbie Harry, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Joan Jett, Chrissie Hynde and Pat Benatar. Kogan attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School where she formed the Lunachicks.[1]

Career

Kogan has had roles in movies such as Zoolander, Rock Star, In the Cut,[7] Bringing Out the Dead,[8] and High Times' Potluck.[9] She has also appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,[5] Third Watch and The Jon Stewart Show.[10] She has done voice over work for Live Freaky! Die Freaky![6] Kogan can also be seen in Screen Test, a Broadway musical directed by Rob Roth which her band Theo and the Skyscrapers composed the music for.[11]

Kogan has modelled in ad campaigns for Calvin Klein,[4] Rimmel, and Kenneth Cole.[4]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 Terror Firmer Theodora Also music supervisor
1999 Bringing Out the Dead Prostitute
2000 Hair Burners Florencia Josephine Manetti
2001 Zoolander Cool Tattoo Girl
2002 Tadpole Woman in Bar
2002 The New Generation Moby
2002 High Times' Potluck Jade
2003 In the Cut Baby Doll Bartender
2004 Rock Star Heaven Scent
2006 Live Freaky! Die Freaky! Hadie
2009 Falling Awake Bartender

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2001 Third Watch Female Teen Episode: "The Relay"
2003 Law & Order: SVU Club Girl Episode: "Grief"

References

  1. ^ a b c Lunachicks; Jeanne Fury (2021). Fallopian Rhapsody: The Story of the Lunachicks. Hachette Books. pp. 34–35. ISBN 978-0306874482.
  2. ^ Foad, Lisa (June 22, 2006). "Pride stage: Theo And The Skyscrapers". Xtra!.
  3. ^ a b Alexander, Jenn (October 2007). "Theo and the Skyscrapers". Prick Magazine.
  4. ^ a b c d Eby, Margaret (2012). Rock and Roll Baby Names: Over 2,000 Music-Inspired Names, from Alison to Ziggy. Gotham. ISBN 978-1592406951.
  5. ^ a b Guitar World Staff (April 6, 2009). "GW GIRLS: Theo Kogan". guitarworld.com. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Pelegano, Justin Quinn (February 16, 2006). "Theo Kogan". Trigger Magazine.
  7. ^ McHugh, Kathleen Anne (2007). Jane Campion (Contemporary Film Directors). University of Illinois Press. p. 167. ISBN 978-0252074479.
  8. ^ Thompson, David (2004). Scorsese on Scorsese: Revised Edition. Faber & Faber. p. 300. ISBN 0571220029.
  9. ^ Edison, Mike (2009). I Have Fun Everywhere I Go: Savage Tales of Pot, Porn, Punk Rock, Pro Wrestling, Talking Apes, Evil Bosses, Dirty Blues, American Heroes, and the Most Notorious Magazines in the World. Faber & Faber. p. 265. ISBN 978-0865479036.
  10. ^ "Theo Kogan". IMDb.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  11. ^ New York Times (January 11, 2008). "Spare Times". The New York Times.