Jeff Cooney literally grew up in television. He began his career in front of the camera in commercials as the face of Fanta Orange Soda. He also starred as the iconic Cream of Wheat boy for many years running. The experience stayed with him long after the commercials were done, and affected his decision to take a more creative role behind the camera later in life.

After college, Jeff began shooting videos for legendary fashion designers Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, and Donna Karan giving him a foundation many aspiring directors could only dream about. For the next 20 years Jeff directed hundreds of commercials all over the globe for such clients as Coca-Cola, Avon, UPS, Visa, General Motors, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and Mitsubishi. He credits his athletic background when it comes to his growth as a director.

A Division I wide receiver in college, his unique point of view of athletics both as a player and an artist makes Jeff one of today’s premier directors of sports celebrities. He has worked with the likes of Shaquille O’Neil, Mia Hamm, John McEnroe, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Peyton Manning.

Along the way, Jeff Executive Produced independent feature films Skins (2002) and Falling Water (2008). His documentary film “Play it Smart” was a winner at the Chicago Film Festival in 2004.

With his brother Chris Cooney in association with OddLot Entertainment, Jeff is currently developing a Biopic on the life of Albert Einstein based on Walter Isaacson’s book; Einstein; His Life and Universe. He’s also directing a documentary feature film entitled “The Game Before the War” about Army’s historic win in 1964 over Roger Staubach and Navy and thus the end of an age of innocence.

On the Television side, Jeff is set to Executive Produce 2 pilots “Growing Up Broadway”; a one-hour doc/reality show for the Oprah Winfrey Network and “Retreat”; a half-hour comedy from the writing team of Nancy Hower and John Lehr (10 Items or Less) for NBC.

Jeff graduated from Holy Cross College with a BA in English. He continues to be actively involved with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and sits on the Boards of Destination College and the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.