Edward Cohen, Gaffer, Honorably Withdraws

Longtime Gaffer and Electrician, Edward Cohen, has honorably withdrawn from Local 490. He has filed to receive his pension but is still eligible to work.

Also known to many as “Eddie”, his 45 year career began in New York City in 1979 working in a rental house called “Film Trucks”. A year later he took the electrician test and became a member of NABET Local 15. In 1990, that Local was absorbed into New York’s IATSE Local 52. He did many films in New York and was the best boy on Crocodile Dundee 1 & 2. His Local 52 card is still active.

His first film job in Minnesota was gaffing the PBS film “Rachel River” in 1986. He has also worked in commercials and on stage productions. Eddie joined Local 490 in 1998. The rest of his MN filmography is below;

1999 PARTY, LIKE IT’S 1999 Prince/Paisley Park (Gaffer)

2005 FACTOTUM Feature Film  (Gaffer)
2006 A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION (Gaffer) (DVD Interviews)
2008 OLDER THAN AMERICA Feature Film (Gaffer)
2009 NOBODY Feature Film (Gaffer)
2009 A SERIOUS MAN Feature Film (Electrician)

2011 THIN ICE Feature Film (Gaffer)
2017 HOUSE OF TOMORROW Feature Film  (Gaffer)
2019 GEORGIA ROCK Feature Film  (Gaffer)

2022 CANUSA STREET TV Pilot   (Gaffer)
2022 BODY LANGUAGE Feature Film   (Gaffer)
2023 CRAIG FERGUSON HBO Special (Gaffer)

Eddie appeared in front of the camera for a MN commercial for Arctic Cat ATVs, playing an Amish farmer.

In 2009, Eddie was elected as Treasurer of Local 490. He was credited by many as the officer that kept the Local afloat in the lean years. One of his many accomplishments as Treasurer was working with then President Mark Wojahn to eliminate the Local’s five-figure debt. The Local’s existence today, is partially a result of many years of his dutiful work. He was proud to leave the treasury in the black when he departed the office in 2020.

Eddie retirement plans are to continue work selectively on Film and Video projects, grow his wine sommelier business, www.drinkwineandlearn.com and to spend time with his family and friends in MN & around the globe. If that’s not enough, go see Eddie play his rhythm guitar and harmonica in the band the Strolling Clones at Driftwood Char Bar and other area venues.

Eddie plays with the Stolling Clones at the IATSE 2016 All Crew Party at Acme stage