Jack Black’s late mother, Judith Love Cohen, was an accomplished aerospace engineer whose work was instrumental in saving the Apollo 13 astronauts during the mission’s critical moments in April 1970.
Born on August 28, 1969, in Santa Monica, California, the School of Rock star grew up in a family of engineers. His mother, Judith, and father, Thomas William Black, were both deeply involved in the field of engineering. Remarkably, Judith worked on solving a crucial issue for the Apollo 13 mission on the very day she went into labor with Jack.
A Facebook post that went viral in 2021, later verified by USA Today, recounted Judith’s dedication: “Judith Love Cohen helped create the Abort-Guidance System which rescued the Apollo 13 astronauts. She took a printout of a problem she was working on to the hospital, solved it, and then gave birth to Jack Black.”
Judith’s contributions to the space program were highlighted by her eldest son, Neil Siegel, a USC engineering professor, in a memorial following her passing at age 82 on July 25, 2016. Siegel shared how his mother brought her work to the hospital when Jack was born and called her boss later that day to report she had solved the problem—before casually mentioning the birth of her son.
Judith considered her work on the Apollo program the pinnacle of her career. The Abort-Guidance System she helped develop ensured the safe return of the Apollo 13 astronauts. She was present at the TRW facility in Redondo Beach when the astronauts visited to express their gratitude.
Beyond her engineering achievements, Judith led a rich and varied life. She had danced with the New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet Company and authored numerous children’s books. She also worked for TRW, a company known for its contributions to aerospace technology.
Jack Black has often paid tribute to his mother’s legacy. In 2019, he shared a photo of Judith as an engineer with the caption: “Judith Love Cohen…Aerospace engineer…Author of children’s books…Loving mother of four…Miss you, mom.” In another post, he expressed, “It’s true…my mom was an aerospace engineer…and also a loving mother…I miss you, mama!”
While Judith’s professional accomplishments were groundbreaking, her personal life also shaped Jack’s journey. Black’s parents divorced in 1979 when he was just 10 years old, an experience he described as deeply impactful in a 2011 interview with The Guardian.
Judith Love Cohen’s extraordinary life blended scientific brilliance, artistic talent, and dedication to her family, leaving a legacy that continues to inspire.
Source: Daily Mail