David Stephen Cohen, the Emmy-nominated producer and writer who contributed to the success of “Courage the Cowardly Dog,” has passed away at 58.
Cartoon Network shared the news of Cohen’s death on Instagram.
The caption, which featured a picture of Cohen, stated, “The things we do for love. Thank you, David, for your work on the strangely beautiful world of Courage, lovingly adding to our childhood trauma while teaching poignant life lessons. How you’ve brought to life a scared but courageous little dog reminds us that we can do anything, even if we’re afraid. Rest well.”
Cartoon Network also wrote a comment to the post which reads, “There’s no such thing as perfect, you’re beautiful as you are, Courage. With all of your imperfections, you can do anything you want to do!”
People took to social media to express their sadness over the passing of the late writer.
RIP David Steven Cohen (1967-2025) 😔
Rest easy…my friend…. I had a lot of good laughs because of your creative writing. pic.twitter.com/lqyp2ZlzB3— Deadpool (@DammitWade) March 18, 2025
Rest in peace David Stephen Cohen 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/fesFhCSl0P
— Nagirdnal 🇺🇸 1️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ (@Nagirdnal) March 19, 2025
I’ve just learnt of the sad passing of David Steven Cohen who was one of the writers on Balto and better known for Courage the Cowardly Dog. I had the pleasure to chat with @CohenDS directly and he was a very genuine and lovely person… pic.twitter.com/sPNxacmZYU
— Balto's Vault (@BaltosVault) March 17, 2025
Just found out we lost david Steven cohen…
Rip to the man behind the voice of goodest boy of fiction. Say hi to Thea white and Lionel Wilson for us pic.twitter.com/yfuTGWYRul— SkylorTurner (@skylor_world) March 20, 2025
Thank you for making our childhood awesome.
David Steven Cohen, the head writer of ‘Courage the Cowardly Dog’ has sadly passed away. pic.twitter.com/e6WfP0Zipg
— Solopeerless©️☯️ 🟠 NFTARMY (@xladestarr) March 19, 2025
Rest in Paradise David Steven Cohen you were a foundational core to me having such a wild imagination a fundamental part of my childhood and one of my favourite inspirations in my creative endeavours, may you be remembered forever 🕊️
"The things I do for love!"
💜 pic.twitter.com/dEHCxtgocw— 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒕 (@Microwave_Thief) March 19, 2025
Oh no! One of my favorite shows to watch growing up. A straight panic machine. Such a unique show. RIP, David Stephen Cohen. Truly a legendary Cartoon Network masterpiece. https://t.co/HdaAssUNCE
— Carrington Gupte (@CarringtonGupte) March 17, 2025
Although his most well-known work is Courage the Cowardly Dog, Cohen began his career as a writer for television programs in the 1980s, including “Mr. President, “Pee-wee’s Playhouse,” “ALF,” “ALF Tales,” “Fast Times,” and “The Ellen Burstyn Show.” Rue McClanahan, a beloved character from The Golden Girls, starred in the 1989 television film “The Wickedest Witch,” which he also wrote.
Aside from that, he also wrote “A Cool Like That Christmas,” an animated television film in 1993 in addition to the 1995 film “Balto.”
Cohen’s contributions to the writing teams for “The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss” and “Arthur” earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
Along with winning an award for Outstanding Writing in a Preschool Animated Program for “Peg+Cat,” he was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy for his work on “Arthur.”
“The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss” earned Cohen a WGA Award, and he was later nominated for “Phil of the Future.”
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