Director Ryan Coogler's Wife Zinzi Coogler Shares Their Journey

The Cooglers have been married since 2016 and co-founded production company Proximity Media

Mar. 15, 2026 at 8:30pm

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Ryan Coogler, director of the hit film "Sinners," and his wife Zinzi Coogler have been married since 2016 after meeting in high school. Zinzi is a producer who has worked on several of Ryan's projects, and the two co-founded the production company Proximity Media. The couple has kept their family life private but have become more public in their professional partnership, with Zinzi producing "Sinners" and Ryan crediting her as a key reason for the film's success.

Why it matters

The Cooglers' relationship and creative collaboration provide an inspiring example of a Hollywood power couple who have built a successful partnership both personally and professionally. Their story highlights the importance of supporting one's partner's dreams and the benefits that can come from working together, even when starting out with limited resources.

The details

Zinzi Coogler was born in Oakland, California and is of Filipino and American descent. Before entering the film industry, she worked as an ASL interpreter at a deaf advocacy non-profit. The couple met when they were teenagers and began dating in college. When Ryan was first starting out as a screenwriter, Zinzi invested $300 to buy him screenwriting software, an early show of support for his career. The Cooglers co-founded their production company Proximity Media, which has produced several of Ryan's acclaimed films.

  • Ryan and Zinzi met when they were 13 or 14 years old.
  • The couple went on their first date to see "Bring It On" in theaters.
  • Ryan and Zinzi got married on May 1, 2016.
  • The Cooglers had their first child together sometime in 2019.
  • The couple's third child was born in 2025.

The players

Ryan Coogler

An American film director, producer, and screenwriter best known for directing the critically acclaimed film "Sinners."

Zinzi Coogler

Ryan Coogler's wife, who is a producer and co-founder of their production company Proximity Media. She previously worked as an ASL interpreter.

Proximity Media

A multimedia production company co-founded by Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian.

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What they’re saying

“Zinzi is my favorite person in the world. You know, I've been around her a long time, and still somehow it feels like it's not long enough.”

— Ryan Coogler

“That's why we're so passionate about the stories we tell, because kindness is so important, and maybe if we have a deeper understanding of each other, that kindness wouldn't come so difficult. I hope that would be an influence to our kids, regardless of what comes about.”

— Zinzi Coogler

“Gifting was one of my love languages because I loved to give something that would give joy to someone. I knew nothing about screenwriting, but it was something that he had a real interest in. It was very expensive for us at the time, but if that would give him that joy, then it was my pleasure to be able to do that.”

— Zinzi Coogler

What’s next

The Cooglers are expected to continue collaborating on future film and television projects through their production company Proximity Media.

The takeaway

The Cooglers' story demonstrates the power of a supportive partnership, both in life and in creative pursuits. Their journey from high school sweethearts to successful Hollywood collaborators is an inspiring example of how two people can lift each other up and achieve great things together.