Theo Kogan

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 timpani 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]

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 modeled in ad campaigns for Calvin Klein,^[4] Rimmel, and Kenneth Cole.^[4]