MovieChat Forums > Taika Waititi Discussion > Taika COHEN... wtf?

Taika COHEN... wtf?


Whats up with the last name?
Where did Cohen come from?

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It's his mom's last name. He uses both:

"Waititi is Taika's Maori father's surname, while Cohen is his Jewish mother's last name. A multi-talented guy, Taika uses his father's name for his work as a photographer and musician. He uses "Cohen" for his work as an actor, writer and film director. He says he does this to "avoid being typecast as a Maori artist, as opposed to a Maori in the arts.""

http://www.interfaithfamily.com/arts_and_entertainment/popular_culture /Interfaith_Celebrities_Kyra_Sedgwick_Baseballs_Braun-y_Interfaith_Roo kie_and_a_Jewish_Maori_Director.shtml

Seems like he's been using Waititi more often lately.

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Is he going to be Pie Face? Tom Kalmaku?

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Trivia:
He is of Maori and European-Jewish descent.

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.
Looking at his credits via IMDB, he hasn't used "Cohen" since 2007, presumably because he is now well enough known that the Maori surname doesn't limit his opportunities.
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