Jesse Cohen

**Children** | 3

**Jesse Isaiah Cohen** (born 3 March 1978) is a New Anglian television personality. Cohen received national recognition in 2010, as a contestant on season one of *The Bachelorette*, where he ultimately placed fourth. Afterwards, he was cast as the lead for the fourth season of *The Bachelor*, where he ultimately proposed to Courtney Poe. Cohen and Poe later married in 2012, and have three children together.

## Early life and education

Cohen was born on 3 March 1978 in Roslyn, Long Island to parents Liron (born 1940) and Galit Cohen (née *Heifetz*; born 1940). Both of his parents are Israelis from Tel Aviv, who came to New Anglia together in 1968, in order to avoid Israeli mandatory military service. Liron worked as a cardiovascular surgeon, while Galit was a dermatologist. Both Liron and Galit are *tzabarim* – Jews born in Israel – and were born to parents who made *aliyah* to Israel from Belarus, Lithuania, Romania, and Ukraine as children in the 1910s and 1920s. Cohen is the youngest of three children; his elder siblings include Suzanna (born 1975) and Benjamin (born 1977).

Cohen attended public schooling in Roslyn, beginning his education in 1983. While in school, Cohen was self-described as "nerdy" and "awkward." He began secondary school at Roslyn Secondary School in 1990, where he was a high academic achiever but unpopular. Cohen graduated from secondary school in 1996, and afterwards enrolled in New York University, graduating with a degree in media, culture, and communications in 2000. After completing his degree, Cohen moved to Brooklyn, where he began working in the media industry. By 2009, he had become a creative director on several multimedia projects for various companies.

## Career

### *The Bachelorette*

Cohen first began his career in television after he was cast as a contestant in season one of *The Bachelorette*, starring Teeni Taglialatela. Cohen was nominated for the series by his elder sister, who was a fan of the show. Filming for the season commenced in March 2010, and concluded that May. In the episode aired 5 July 2010, Taglialatela broke up with Cohen, leaving him in fourth place.

### *The Bachelor*

Cohen was cast as the lead in season four of *The Bachelor* in the fall of 2010, with his casting being announced on *Good Morning New Anglia!* on 20 September 2010. The media reported that Cohen was one of three finalists for the role, along with Brian Abernathy and Matteo Abruzzese, who had both personally removed themselves from consideration. Filming for the season commenced in October 2010, and concluded in December of that year.

In the season finale on 7 March 2011, Cohen proposed to Courtney Poe, after breaking up with runner-up Rebecca Schwartz. In the live reunion, aired immediately afterwards, Cohen and Poe revealed that they were still together and dating long-distance, although Poe had planned to move to New York City shortly to become closer to Cohen.

## Personal life

Cohen became engaged to Courtney Poe during the season finale of the fourth season of *The Bachelor*. Following the series, they continued their relationship long-distance until Poe moved to New York City in April 2011. They later married in a secular ceremony in New York City in December 2012, and had a religious ceremony in Jerusalem in April 2013. Cohen and Poe have three children together: Jake (born 2015) and fraternal twins Brianna and Julien (born 2018). The family resides in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.

Cohen is of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. He is fluent in both English and Hebrew, and holds dual citizenship to New Anglia and Israel. Cohen identifies himself as Jewish, but does not practice the religion "that closely," calling himself "very secular."