Josh Heald

Josh Heald
Born (1977-12-12) December 12, 1977 (age 47)
Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania
Occupation(s)Screenwriter, director, producer
Known forCobra Kai
Hot Tub Time Machine

Josh Heald (born December 12, 1977) is an American screenwriter, director, and producer best known for his work on Cobra Kai and Hot Tub Time Machine.

Early life

Heald was born in Red Bank, New Jersey to a Jewish family.[1] He was raised in Middletown Township, New Jersey and attended Middletown High School South, where he played the trombone and was a drum major in the school's marching band.[2]

Heald was studying finance at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, with Jon Hurwitz who lived in the same dorm with him during freshman year. [3] As Hurwitz's high school friend Hayden Schlossberg (who was in college at The University of Chicago) frequently came to visit, Heald also got to know him as well.[3]

Career

During his time at Wharton, Heald was the editor-in-chief of 34th Street magazine, and he briefly considered a career in journalism. Ultimately, he accepted a position in finance,[3] but was laid off during the Dot-com bust in 2001. He then joined Hurwitz and Schlossberg in Los Angeles, where he worked as a screenwriter.[3][4]

Heald currently works on Cobra Kai, a continuation of The Karate Kid franchise with Hurwitz & Schlossberg. The trio serve as executive producers, show runners, writers, and directors on the series.[5] More recently they all signed a deal with Sony Pictures Television.[6]

Filmography

Year Title Director Writer Producer Actor
2008 Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay No No No Yes
2010 Hot Tub Time Machine No Yes No Yes
2015 Hot Tub Time Machine 2 No Yes No Yes
2018−present Cobra Kai Yes Yes Yes No
2021 Plan B No No Yes No
2023 Obliterated Yes Yes Yes No

See also

References

  1. ^ "Josh Heald". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  2. ^ Kuperinsky, Amy. "‘Cobra Kai’ season 4 on Netflix: Battle for the soul of Valley rages on for N.J. creators and cast", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 31, 2021, updated January 6, 2022. Accessed November 17, 2022. "'We always wanted to have more female characters on our show that weren’t just there to be involved in family dynamics or in love triangles,' says Heald, 44, a Red Bank native.... Heald (co-writer of Hot Tub Time Machine), who met Hurwitz when they were students at the University of Pennsylvania, proudly remembers being an 'alpha' marching band drum major at Middletown High School South."
  3. ^ a b c d "Wax On, Wax Off (Interview)". The Creative Influencer Podcast, PFIEFFER Law. April 24, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Heald, Josh (November 2004). "WRITERS ON WRITING: Staying Hungry - From Wannabe To Working Writer". Script Magazine. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Heald, Josh (May 1, 2018). "The Inside Story of How 'Fuller House' Inspired 'Karate Kid' Sequel 'Cobra Kai' (Guest Column)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 9, 2021). "'Cobra Kai' Creators Re-Up Overall Deal With Sony Pictures TV For Their Counterbalance Entertainment, Set Comedy 'The Prince' With Writer Zora Bikangaga". Deadline. Retrieved September 11, 2021.