Zinzi Coogler
Zinzi Coogler | |
|---|---|
| Born | Zinzi Evans April 18, 1985 Oakland, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Film producer |
| Known for | Producer of Sinners |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Zishan and Maria Evans |
Zinzi Coogler (née Evans; born April 18, 1985) is an American film producer. She served as an executive producer on Judas and the Black Messiah (2021) and Creed III (2023). In 2026, she received the Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for producing Sinners (2025), along with her husband Ryan Coogler and producing partner Sev Ohanian.[1][2][3]
Background
Born Zinzi Evans on April 18, 1985 in Oakland, California, where she was also raised. She is one of seven children of Zishan and Maria Evans. She attended San Lorenzo High School in San Lorenzo a census-designated place (CDP) located in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area in Alameda County, California.[4][5]
Later, at California State University, Fresno, she was an outstanding cross country runner.[1][2]
Personal life
Evans first met Ryan Coogler while she was in high school; she became more interested in moviegoing while dating him. In an email sent to Marie Claire, Ryan Coogler noted her skills in breaking down films, telling them "I was in awe of her capacity for understanding the story and communicating ways it could improve since then."[2] She later married Coogler in 2016, with whom she has three children.[6] She would go on to produce her husband's 2025 film Sinners, for which she received a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards for Best Picture.[1]
Selected filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Judas and the Black Messiah | Executive producer |
| Space Jam: A New Legacy | Executive producer | |
| 2023 | Stephen Curry: Underrated | Executive producer |
| Creed III | Executive producer | |
| 2025 | Sinners | Producer |
References
- ^ a b c Rasilla, Azucena (January 22, 2026). "Ryan and Zinzi Coogler have made Oscars history". Oaklandside. Oakland, California. Retrieved January 23, 2026.
- ^ a b c LeGardye, Quinci (January 7, 2026). "Zinzi Coogler Doesn't Need the Credit. But She's Earned It". Marie Claire. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (2026-01-12). "Ryan Coogler Admits at Golden Globes to Not Knowing if People "Would Show Up" to See 'Sinners'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
- ^ Ghosh, Shreya (April 27, 2025). "Who is Ryan Coogler's wife Zinzi Evans? All about the director's family amid historic Sinners Rights deal". Soapp Central. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ Tudtud, Christell Fatima M. (November 14, 2022). "Zinzi Evans Is a Sign Language Interpreter - Facts about Ryan Coogler's Wife". AmoMama. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
- ^ Specter, Emma (April 21, 2025). "I Want What They Have: Ryan and Zinzi Coogler". Vogue. Retrieved January 31, 2026.