Quick Facts
Biography
Betty Cohen (born 1950) is an American businesswoman and television executive who is best known as the original president of Cartoon Network (founded by Ted Turner) from 1992 to 2001, and as the CEO of Lifetime Entertainment Services from 2005 to 2007.
Early life
Cohen grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. She was involved in theater in high school and wrote her senior paper on the Children's Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop). She attended Stanford University, where she majored in communications.
Career
Cohen became president of Cartoon Network from 1992 to 2001. Under her leadership, the network became a global phenomenon with asset value of nearly $3 billion. Cohen stepped down from her post on June 18, 2001, stating "I was afraid I would die the queen of cartoons." She was succeeded by Jim Samples.
Under Cohen's watch, network brands such as Toonami, the Cartoon Cartoons, Cartoon Cartoon Fridays, and Cartoon Orbit were introduced, as well as original series such as Space Ghost Coast to Coast, What a Cartoon!, Dexter's Laboratory, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. Dexter's Laboratory, in particular, was one of her favorite animated shows.
From 2005 to 2007, Cohen served as CEO and president of Lifetime Entertainment Services.