Five seasons in, the Cobra Kai gang has finally come together as a true family. As a result, it’s possible that the team chose to pay tribute to the late Jeff Kay by naming the third episode, “Playing With Fire,” after him.
The words “In memoriam, Jeff Kay, 1965-2021” appear on the screen as the screen goes black.
On October 17, 2021, Jeff, an assistant director, and production manager for the fifth season of Cobra Kai, died of a heart attack.
Not only did the cast and crew of Cobra Kai pay respect to Jeff on-screen, but many others flocked to social media to express their sadness at his passing. Even though he didn’t recognize me, he spent time chatting with me about the business world. He filled me in on his background in filmmaking, his passion for golf, and the bagel shop he [formerly] owned. I wished I had known him as well as everyone else did. RIP.”
“For those of you who watched S5 ep3 of Cobra Kai and spotted an “in memory” in the end credits and wondered who was that person?
Writer/Actor Jewel Shepard Said
Jewel Shepard said As a member of the crew, you get to know a lot of interesting people. The majority of people who aspire to become ADs begin their careers as “production assistants,” putting in long hours in order to amass the thirty hours per month required to qualify for union membership. Only a handful, like Jeff Kay, were able to make it through the hundreds that tried.
“Directors establish the mood of the project, but a 1st AD is the beating heart of production. A popular AD is one who, through his boundless vitality, boundless passion, and boundless expertise, keeps his staff energized to work 15-hour days, five days a week, through pandemics, crises, etc., without breaking the bank.
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Who Is Jeff Kay?
Jeff Kay worked as an A.D., producer, and manager on set. A native of the United States, Kay got his start in the film industry in 1992 as a second assistant director on the film “Wishman.” In the midst of his life, he passed away at the young age of 56.
He then went on to work on the films Funny Bones, Born to be Wild, and Courage Under Fire throughout the course of the next few years. A Season in Purgatory, a telefilm he worked on for the first time in 1996, is considered his debut TV endeavor.
Was Jeff Kay Ever Married?
When it came to his personal life, Jeff Kay was quite discreet. The details of his personal life, including whether or not he was married or in a relationship, were not disclosed before his passing. Perhaps he once dated someone. Additionally, he has a history of living in the Beverly Hills area of California.
Jeff Kay’s Career
Wishman (1992), the picture that launched Jeff Kay’s career, had him working as a second assistant director. As far back as he could remember, directing movies was something that truly fascinated and captivated him. Within a short time, he became well-known in Hollywood for his directing prowess. Funny Bones, Born to be Wild, Courage Under Fire, and more were all films on which he worked.
A Season in Purgatory, a TV movie from 1996, was actually his first time working in the medium. In addition, from 1996 to 1998, he worked as the show’s second assistant director on the TV series Profiler.
With practice, he honed his craft and eventually had roles in films and TV shows including Birds of Prey, Entourage, Numb3rs, Drop Dead Diva, Rizzoli & Isles, Training Day, Champaign, IL, American Housewife, and more.
More importantly, in 2010, Jeff Kay produced two episodes of the television miniseries Marry Me. Since he has been acting for almost 20 years, he has earned the reputation of being a legend in the film industry.
Since his untimely death from a heart attack in October 2021, several musicians have used social media to pay respect to Jeff Kay.
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Death of Jeff Kay
Apparently, in October of 2021, Kay died “suddenly.” After that, people from all across the entertainment business began expressing their condolences. My friend Jeff Kay, the veteran AD on @AmericanWifeABC, passed away today,” Diedrich Bader said about Kay on Twitter. He was a bright spot in the world who brought happiness wherever he went. His absence has left the world a darker place, but those lucky enough to have known him are better off for it. RIP.”
Two things about TV production:
— Nicolas Falacci (@NickFalacci) October 17, 2021
1) The crew is family. You work so hard, so long, you become extremely close.
2) The 1st AD runs the set and is in charge of everything. No 1st AD … no show.
Jeff Kay was one of the best 1st ADs in the biz.
Jeff Kay was family. #RIPJeffKay pic.twitter.com/P09ISbakSU
Meg Donnelly, who worked with Kay on “American Wife,” tweeted a video of him addressing the cast and crew, writing, “Our dear Jeff Kay, who is speaking in this video— was the 1 AD & part of our beautiful ‘American Housewife’ family…” and was taken from us unexpectedly… After such a tragic loss, our family is in grief. His infectious enthusiasm never failed to make us all crack up.