History of Sacha Baron Cohen in Timeline
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen is an English actor, comedian, and performance artist celebrated for creating and portraying satirical characters such as Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Brüno Gehard, and Admiral General Aladeen. He has received numerous awards, including two BAFTA TV Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a SAG Award. Additionally, he's been nominated for three Academy Awards and six Primetime Emmy Awards, recognizing his contributions to film and television.
1932: Father's Birth
In 1932, Sacha Baron Cohen's father, Gerald "Jerry" Baron Cohen, was born in London into a Belarusian Ashkenazi Jewish family. He was an editor-turned-clothing store owner.
1936: Maternal Grandmother Fled Nazis
In 1936, Sacha Baron Cohen's maternal grandmother, Liesel (née Levi), fled the Nazis. She had lived in Haifa and trained as a ballet dancer in Germany.
1939: Mother's Birth
In 1939, Sacha Baron Cohen's mother, Daniella (née Weiser), was born in British Mandatory Palestine. She is a photographer.
October 1971: Sacha Noam Baron Cohen Born
In October 1971, Sacha Noam Baron Cohen was born in Hammersmith, London, into a British Ashkenazi Jewish family.
1993: Graduation from Cambridge
In 1993, Sacha Baron Cohen graduated from Christ's College, Cambridge with upper-second-class honors, having studied history with a focus on antisemitism.
1996: Borat Character Development on F2F
From 1996 to 1997, the character Borat Sagdiyev, originally known as Alexi Krickler, was developed for short skits on F2F, a Granada Talk TV program presented by Sacha Baron Cohen.
1996: F2F Programme and McCain Microchips Commercial
In 1996, Sacha Baron Cohen began presenting the youth chat programme 'F2F' and appeared in a McCain Microchips commercial.
1997: Borat Character Development on F2F
From 1996 to 1997, the character Borat Sagdiyev, originally known as Alexi Krickler, was developed for short skits on F2F, a Granada Talk TV program presented by Sacha Baron Cohen.
September 1998: Ali G Debut on The 11 O'Clock Show
In September 1998, Sacha Baron Cohen's character Ali G first appeared on the British television show 'The 11 O'Clock Show' on Channel 4.
1998: The 11 O'Clock Show Debut
In 1998, Sacha Baron Cohen began his television career on the late-night series 'The 11 O'Clock Show'.
1999: Awards and Recognition as Ali G
In 1999, Sacha Baron Cohen was named comedian of the year by GQ and won Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards for his character Ali G.
1999: Best Newcomer Comedy Awards
In 1999, Sacha Baron Cohen won Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards.
2000: Da Ali G Show Begins and Music Video Appearance
In 2000, 'Da Ali G Show' began and Ali G, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, appeared in Madonna's "Music" video as a limousine driver.
2000: Da Ali G Show Debut
In 2000, Sacha Baron Cohen created and starred in 'Da Ali G Show', a satirical sketch comedy.
2000: The Jolly Boys' Last Stand and Super Greg
In 2000, Sacha Baron Cohen made his first feature film appearance in 'The Jolly Boys' Last Stand' and played Super Greg in a series of TV advertisements for Lee Jeans.
2000: Controversy with Neil Hamilton
In 2000, as Ali G, Sacha Baron Cohen allegedly offered cannabis to politician Neil Hamilton, who accepted and smoked it, causing minor controversy.
November 2001: MTV Europe Music Awards Hosting as Ali G
In November 2001, Sacha Baron Cohen, as Ali G, presented the MTV Europe Music Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.
2001: Ranked in Top 100 TV Characters
In 2001, Ali G was ranked eighth on Channel 4's list of the 100 Greatest TV Characters.
2001: First met Isla Fisher
In 2001, Sacha Baron Cohen first met Australian actress Isla Fisher at a party in Sydney, marking the beginning of their relationship.
2001: Comic Relief Interview
In 2001, Sacha Baron Cohen, as Ali G, interviewed David and Victoria Beckham for the UK charity telethon Comic Relief.
2002: Ali G Indahouse Film Release
In 2002, Ali G was the main character in 'Ali G Indahouse', a feature film where he is elected to the British Parliament.
2003: Da Ali G Show in the United States
In 2003, Sacha Baron Cohen's television show 'Da Ali G Show' was exported to the United States with new episodes set there, for HBO.
2004: Da Ali G Show Ended
In 2004, 'Da Ali G Show', starring Sacha Baron Cohen, concluded its run.
2004: Engaged to Isla Fisher
In 2004, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher became engaged, solidifying their commitment to each other.
2004: Talk Show Circuit
In 2004, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared on Late Show with David Letterman, The Opie and Anthony Show, The Howard Stern Show, and others to promote the forthcoming season of his show on HBO.
November 2005: MTV Europe Music Awards Hosting as Borat
In November 2005, Sacha Baron Cohen, as Borat, presented the MTV Europe Music Awards in Lisbon, Portugal.
2005: Madagascar Film Series
In 2005, Sacha Baron Cohen began voicing King Julien XIII in the 'Madagascar' film series.
2005: Kazakhstan Government's Reaction to Borat
In 2005, the government of Kazakhstan threatened Sacha Baron Cohen with legal action following the MTV Europe Music Awards and removed the Borat website for alleged violation of the law. However, the Kazakh government later altered their stance, recognizing the press coverage generated by the controversy.
November 2006: Borat Film Release
In November 2006, 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' was released in the United Kingdom and the United States. The film is a mockumentary which includes interviews with various Americans that poke fun at American culture, as well as sexism, racism, homophobia, antisemitism and jingoism.
November 2006: Rolling Stone Interview
In November 2006, Rolling Stone published an interview with Sacha Baron Cohen, which the magazine labelled as "his only interview as himself".
November 2006: Sports Illustrated Column
Sports Illustrated's 6 November 2006 issue contained a column called "Skater vs. Instigator", illustrating parallels between Sacha Baron Cohen and figure skater Sasha Cohen.
December 2006: British Comedy Awards Acceptance
In December 2006, Sacha Baron Cohen accepted an award at the British Comedy Awards out of character, joking about Borat's absence due to a Holocaust denial conference.
December 2006: Lawsuit Over Borat Film
In December 2006, two University of South Carolina students sued the filmmakers of Borat, alleging they were duped into signing release forms. A Los Angeles judge denied their restraining order.
2006: MTV Movie Awards Appearance
At the 2006 MTV Movie Awards, Borat introduced Gnarls Barkley's performance of "Crazy" and made a comment about Jessica Simpson.
2006: Borat UK Premiere
At the 2006 UK premiere of Borat at Leicester Square, Sacha Baron Cohen arrived in a cart pulled by a mule and made controversial announcements.
2006: Talladega Nights Release
In 2006, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared as Jean Girard in the film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
January 2007: Golden Globe and Academy Award Nomination
In January 2007, Sacha Baron Cohen won a Golden Globe for Best Actor for his role in 'Borat' and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
January 2007: Fresh Air Interview
On 4 January 2007, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared in an interview out of character with Terry Gross on NPR's Fresh Air.
February 2007: Dismissal of Borat Lawsuit
In February 2007, the lawsuit filed by the University of South Carolina students against the filmmakers of Borat was dismissed.
December 2007: Retirement of Borat Character
In December 2007, Sacha Baron Cohen announced he was retiring the character of Borat, stating that the public had become too familiar with the character.
2007: Sweeney Todd Appearance
In 2007, Sacha Baron Cohen acted in the drama film 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'.
2007: Birth of first daughter
In 2007, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher welcomed the birth of their first daughter, expanding their family.
2007: Time 100 List Feature
In 2007, Sacha Baron Cohen was featured in the Time 100 list.
September 2008: Brüno Fashion Show Stunt
On 26 September 2008, Sacha Baron Cohen, as Brüno, disrupted the Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada fashion show in Milan by walking onto the runway in a velcro suit.
2008: Academy Membership
In 2008, Sacha Baron Cohen became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Actors Branch.
May 2009: MTV Movie Awards Stunt
In May 2009, Sacha Baron Cohen, as Brüno, performed a staged aerial stunt at the MTV Movie Awards involving Eminem.
May 2009: Lawsuit over Brüno Bingo Incident
On 22 May 2009, a charity worker sued Sacha Baron Cohen over an incident shot for Brüno at a charity bingo tournament, claiming it left her disabled. She later retracted her statement.
July 2009: Brüno Film Release
In July 2009, the film based on Sacha Baron Cohen's character Brüno was released after Universal Pictures won the film rights for a reported $42.5 million.
July 2009: Baron Cohen's appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman
On July 7, 2009, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, where he made comments that led to Ayman Abu Aita including David Letterman in a defamation lawsuit. Cohen claimed Abu Aita was a "terrorist".
November 2009: Dismissal of Brüno Lawsuit
In late November 2009, the lawsuit filed by a charity worker over the Brüno bingo incident was dismissed on Anti-SLAPP grounds.
2009: Bruno Release
In 2009, Sacha Baron Cohen wrote, produced, and starred in the comedy film 'Brüno'.
March 2010: Married Isla Fisher
On March 15, 2010, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher were married in a Jewish ceremony held in Milan and Paris.
April 2010: Ayman Abu Aita files lawsuit against Baron Cohen
In April 2010, Ayman Abu Aita, a Palestinian Christian grocer, filed a lawsuit against Sacha Baron Cohen for defamation. The lawsuit stemmed from Abu Aita's portrayal in the film "Brüno" as a member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a claim Abu Aita denied, stating he was a non-violent activist.
September 2010: Freddie Mercury Biopic Casting
In September 2010, it was confirmed that Sacha Baron Cohen was set to play Freddie Mercury in the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic.
2010: Birth of second daughter
In 2010, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher welcomed the birth of their second daughter.
September 2011: Appeal Upheld in Brüno Lawsuit Dismissal
On 12 September 2011, the dismissal of the lawsuit filed by a charity worker over the Brüno bingo incident was appealed and upheld.
2011: Hugo Appearance
In 2011, Sacha Baron Cohen acted in the drama film 'Hugo'.
February 2012: Academy Awards Controversy
In February 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen, in character as Admiral General Aladeen, claimed he was banned from the 84th Academy Awards, a claim the Academy denied while stating he wasn't welcome to use the red carpet for a promotional stunt. He eventually appeared with uniformed bodyguards and an urn purportedly containing Kim Jong-il's ashes.
May 2012: Howard Stern Show Appearance
In May 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen admitted on The Howard Stern Show that the ashes he spilled on Ryan Seacrest at the Academy Awards were actually flour.
September 2012: Defamation claim settled out of court
In September 2012, the defamation claim filed by Ayman Abu Aita against Sacha Baron Cohen was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. The initial lawsuit was filed in April 2010 following the release of the movie "Brüno".
2012: Outstanding Achievement Award
In 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen accepted the Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Comedy Awards as Ali G.
2012: First-Look Deal with Paramount Pictures
In 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen and his production company, Four By Two Films, signed a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures.
2012: Les Misérables Film Appearance
In 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen portrayed Thénardier in the film version of the musical Les Misérables.
2012: The Dictator and Les Miserables Appearances
In 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen wrote, produced, and starred in 'The Dictator' and acted in 'Les Misérables'.
2012: The Dictator Film Release
In 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen's film 'The Dictator' was released. He played Admiral General Aladeen, a dictator from the fictional Republic of Wadiya.
2012: Madagascar Film Series Ends
In 2012, Sacha Baron Cohen's voice acting role as King Julien XIII in the 'Madagascar' film series concluded.
July 2013: Departure from Bohemian Rhapsody Biopic
In July 2013, Sacha Baron Cohen dropped out of the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, due to creative differences.
2013: Anchorman 2 Appearance
In 2013, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared as a BBC News Anchor in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues.
2013: BAFTA Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award
In 2013, Sacha Baron Cohen received the BAFTA Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy.
2014: Paramount Pictures Deal Renewal
In 2014, Sacha Baron Cohen's first-look deal with Paramount Pictures was renewed for three years and a two-film commitment.
December 2015: Donation to Save the Children and IRC
On 28 December 2015, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher donated £335,000 ($500,000) to Save the Children for vaccinating children in northern Syria and the same amount to the International Rescue Committee for Syrian refugees.
2015: Birth of son
In 2015, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher had their son, adding to their growing family.
2016: Grimsby Release
In 2016, Sacha Baron Cohen wrote, produced, and starred in the comedy film 'Grimsby'.
2016: Father's Death
In 2016, Sacha Baron Cohen's father, Gerald "Jerry" Baron Cohen, passed away.
May 2018: Jason Spencer's Primary Loss
In May 2018, Jason Spencer, a Republican state representative from Georgia, lost his primary election to Steven Sainz after an episode of Who is America? aired showing Spencer engaging in controversial behavior.
July 2018: Jason Spencer Resigns
In July 2018, Jason Spencer resigned from his position as a state representative after controversy surrounding his appearance on Sacha Baron Cohen's show.
2018: Roy Moore sues Baron Cohen
In 2018, Roy Moore, a former Senate candidate of Alabama, sued Sacha Baron Cohen for $95 million. The lawsuit was related to a mock interview in "Who is America?" and allegations of paedophilia.
2018: Who Is America? Release
In 2018, Sacha Baron Cohen created and starred in the Showtime satirical mockumentary series 'Who Is America?', earning a Golden Globe nomination.
2018: The Times' Best Comedians List
In 2018, The Times named Sacha Baron Cohen among the 30 best living comedians.
2018: Borat's Return on Jimmy Kimmel Live
In 2018, the Borat character was brought back for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
2019: The Spy Release
In 2019, Sacha Baron Cohen portrayed Eli Cohen in the Netflix limited series 'The Spy', receiving a Golden Globe nomination.
2019: Anti-Defamation League Award
In 2019, Sacha Baron Cohen received the Anti-Defamation League's International Leadership Award and gave a speech criticizing internet companies for their handling of hate speech.
June 2020: Baron Cohen crashes right-wing protest
In June 2020, Sacha Baron Cohen, disguised in heavy make-up, crashed the right-wing "March for Our Rights 3" protest in Olympia, Washington, singing a song attacking liberals and various public figures. The crowd realized it was a prank, and Cohen had to flee in a private ambulance. The incident was part of filming for Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.
September 2020: The Trial of the Chicago 7 Release
In September 2020, The Trial of the Chicago 7, in which Sacha Baron Cohen portrayed Abbie Hoffman, was released to positive reviews.
2020: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm
In 2020, Sacha Baron Cohen released 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm', for which he won another Golden Globe Award.
2020: Borat Subsequent Moviefilm and Trial of the Chicago 7
In 2020, Sacha Baron Cohen starred in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm', earning a Golden Globe, and was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in 'The Trial of the Chicago 7'.
2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Efforts
In 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher partnered with Marc Benioff to send PPE to National Health Service workers in the UK.
July 2021: Lawsuit dismissed
On July 13, 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit filed by Roy Moore against Sacha Baron Cohen. The dismissal was based on a consent agreement Moore had signed barring his claims, although Moore filed notice of his intent to appeal the decision.
2021: Luca Voice Role
In 2021, Sacha Baron Cohen voiced Uncle Ugo in the film 'Luca'.
July 2022: Baron Cohen defeats the lawsuit
On July 8, 2022, Sacha Baron Cohen defeated the lawsuit filed against him by Roy Moore, which originated in 2018 following Cohen's mock interview with Moore in "Who Is America?".
2022: Kennedy Center Honors Performance
In 2022, Sacha Baron Cohen performed a standup routine as Borat at the Kennedy Center Honors for the induction of U2.
August 2023: March on Washington Anniversary Speech
In August 2023, Sacha Baron Cohen spoke alongside Martin Luther King III and Al Sharpton at the 60th Anniversary of the March on Washington.
October 2023: Call Out of WGA Leaders
In October 2023, Sacha Baron Cohen was among the members of the Writers Guild of America that called out its guild leaders for not speaking in support of Israel during the Gaza war.
November 2023: Challenge to TikTok Executives
In November 2023, Sacha Baron Cohen was among creators and celebrities who challenged TikTok executives on content moderation and safety of Jewish users during the Gaza war.
2023: Filed for divorce
At the end of 2023, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher filed for divorce, marking the end of their marriage.
2023: Open Letter on Hostages
In 2023, Sacha Baron Cohen signed an open letter to President Biden calling for the release of all hostages taken by Hamas.
April 2024: Divorce announcement
On April 5, 2024, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher jointly revealed that they had filed for divorce at the end of 2023.
October 2024: Donation for Sudan Crisis
In October 2024, Sacha Baron Cohen donated $500,000 to Save the Children and the International Rescue Committee to support their work in tackling a displacement crisis and famine in Sudan.
November 2024: Disclaimer Miniseries Run
From October to November 2024, Sacha Baron Cohen appeared in the Apple TV+ miniseries Disclaimer, portraying the husband of the lead character.
2024: Disclaimer Appearance
In 2024, Sacha Baron Cohen acted in the Apple TV+ limited series 'Disclaimer'.
June 2025: Divorce finalized
On June 13, 2025, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher announced that they had finalised their divorce, officially ending their marriage.
July 2025: Ironheart Guest Appearance
In July 2025, Sacha Baron Cohen made a guest appearance in the Disney+ miniseries Ironheart, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Mephisto.
2025: Ironheart Appearance
In 2025, Sacha Baron Cohen is set to star as Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with the miniseries 'Ironheart'.
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