7 Shocking Facts About Judith Love Cohen: Jack Black's Mom Who Saved Apollo 13

As of December 2025, the incredible legacy of Jack Black’s mother, Judith Love Cohen, continues to inspire a new generation, proving that her life was far more extraordinary than simply being the parent of a Hollywood rock-star actor. She wasn't just a loving mother; she was a groundbreaking aerospace engineer who worked on some of the most critical space missions in history, including the Hubble Space Telescope and, most famously, the Abort-Guidance System that played a crucial role in bringing the Apollo 13 astronauts home safely. This deep dive reveals the seven most compelling facts about the woman Jack Black proudly calls his "bad-ass" mom.

Her professional and personal life was a testament to shattering glass ceilings and balancing a demanding career with motherhood. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Judith Love Cohen dedicated her life to science, a field where women were severely underrepresented during her time. Her contributions to space exploration are permanently etched in history, a fact that often surprises fans who only know her son as the zany frontman of Tenacious D. Her story is one of intellect, tenacity, and a quiet heroism that deserves its own spotlight.

Judith Love Cohen: A Complete Biography and Profile

Judith Love Cohen was a trailblazing figure whose life spanned decades of monumental change in both technology and gender roles. She was a woman of formidable intellect and drive, whose work directly impacted the success and safety of several major US space programs. Her biography highlights a career marked by significant engineering achievements and a later passion for authorship.

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• Full Name: Judith Love Cohen
• Born: August 16, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York
• Died: July 25, 2016 (Aged 82), from cancer
• Nationality: American
• Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Brooklyn College; M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California (USC)
• Spouses: Thomas William Black (divorced 1979), David A. Katz
• Children: Neil Siegel (computer scientist and engineer), Jack Black (actor and musician), and two other children from a previous marriage.
• Career: Aerospace Engineer, Systems Engineer, Author
• Notable Projects: Abort-Guidance System (AGS) for the Lunar Module (Apollo 13), Minuteman Missile, Hubble Space Telescope science ground station, Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)

The Apollo 13 Mission: A Life Saved While Giving Birth

One of the most enduring and incredible stories of Judith Love Cohen's life revolves around her work on the Apollo 13 mission—and the day she gave birth to Jack Black.

Designing the Abort-Guidance System (AGS)

Judith Love Cohen was a key electrical engineer on the Minuteman missile program and later played a critical role in the Apollo space program. Her most famous contribution was her work on the Lunar Module's Abort-Guidance System (AGS). This system was a vital backup for the primary navigation system.

When an oxygen tank exploded on the Apollo 13 spacecraft in 1970, the AGS became the only viable way for the astronauts to navigate back to Earth. Her engineering work on this system is directly credited with helping to save the lives of the three Apollo 13 astronauts.

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Working Through Labor

The story of her dedication is legendary: she went to work on the day she was in labor with her son, Jack Black. She brought a printout of a problem she was working on to the hospital. After solving the problem and calling her office with the solution, she reportedly tore off the sheet of paper, wrote "I love you," and handed it to her new baby boy, Thomas Jacob Black (Jack Black).

This remarkable act of commitment highlights her deep passion for her work and her ability to balance the immense pressures of a high-stakes engineering career with the profound experience of motherhood. It is a story that perfectly encapsulates the pioneering spirit of women in STEM during that era.

From Satellite Engineer to Children’s Author

After a long and successful career in aerospace, Judith Love Cohen didn't slow down; she simply pivoted her focus toward a new passion: inspiring the next generation of female engineers.

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A Career Spanning Decades of Innovation

Judith Love Cohen's engineering career was extensive, spanning from 1952 to 1990. She worked on several crucial projects, including the ground systems for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) and running the systems engineering for the science ground facility of the Hubble Space Telescope.

She and Jack Black's father, Thomas William Black, were both satellite engineers and worked together at TRW (now Northrop Grumman) for a time. Their shared professional background laid a foundation of intellect and curiosity in the Black family home in Hermosa Beach, California.

Founding a Publishing House for Girls in STEM

Upon retiring from engineering, Cohen and her third husband, David A. Katz, co-founded a publishing company called One More Chapter. Their mission was to create a series of children's books called "You Can Be a Woman Engineer," "You Can Be a Woman Architect," and "You Can Be a Woman Chemist." These books were designed to encourage young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), a field she knew firsthand was challenging for women to enter.

Her work as an author was a direct extension of her life as an engineer, aiming to break down gender stereotypes and show that women could excel in technical fields.

The Family Life and Lasting Influence on Jack Black

Judith Love Cohen's family life was complex, but her influence on her famous son, Jack Black, is undeniable.

Divorce and Family Dynamics

Judith and Thomas William Black divorced in 1979 when Jack was ten years old. The separation was a difficult time for young Jack, who has spoken publicly about the emotional impact of his parents' divorce, even though he knew they loved him.

Despite the divorce, Jack Black has consistently expressed immense pride in his mother's professional achievements. He has often referred to her as a "bad-ass aerospace engineer" and a true feminist.

A Legacy of Intellect and Creativity

Jack Black is not the only successful child of Judith Love Cohen. Her eldest son, Neil Siegel, is a highly respected computer scientist and engineer, continuing the family's legacy in technology. The blend of his mother's intellect and his father's (Thomas Black's) influence contributed to Jack Black's unique combination of high-energy comedy and musical talent.

Judith Love Cohen passed away in 2016 after a battle with cancer. Her passing was a loss to the scientific community and to her family, but her legacy lives on through her engineering achievements, her books, and the public pride expressed by her famous son. Jack Black's public tributes, including a recent Instagram post where he wrote, "I miss you mama!" keep her memory fresh in the minds of his millions of fans worldwide.