Marshall Coben: Skateboarding Legend, CBS Executive, and Jane Leeves’ Husband
Marshall Coben balances two distinct legacies: as a member of the legendary Zephyr skateboarding team that changed the sport in the 1970s, and as a television executive at CBS Studios. While his marriage to actress Jane Leeves often draws public attention, Coben’s contributions to both skateboarding culture and the entertainment industry stand on their own merit.
Table Of Content
Coben maintains a low public profile, avoiding social media platforms entirely. Standing between 5 feet 9 inches and 5 feet 11 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes, he prefers working behind the camera to public appearances. His approach to fame contrasts sharply with his wife’s higher-profile career, yet this balance appears to work well for their family.
Early Life and Skateboarding Roots
Born on August 28, 1962, in Seattle, Washington, Coben moved to Topanga, California, during childhood. The coastal environment shaped his early years, particularly after he picked up skateboarding at age 11. Topanga’s surf and skate culture provided the perfect training ground, where Coben attended school alongside future skateboarding icons from the Z-Boys, including Jim Muir, Bob Biniak, and Jay Adams.
The Zephyr Team Era
Coben joined the Zephyr Competition Team, known as the Z-Boys, during the final phase of their reign in the mid-1970s. The Z-Boys, sponsored by Jeff Ho Surfboards and Zephyr Productions, had already transformed skateboarding by bringing surfing’s aggressive, low-riding style to concrete. Jeff Ho personally welcomed Coben to the team by handing him a broken board and a used Zephyr shirt—a modest beginning that marked his entry into skateboarding’s big leagues.
The team practiced on Bay Street, perfecting freestyle moves and Bert slides. The original Z-Boys had already made their mark at the 1975 Del Mar Nationals, the first major skateboarding competition since the 1960s. By the time Coben joined, the team was beginning to dissolve as members signed with rival companies offering better sponsorships. The Zephyr Competition Team had ceased to exist by the end of 1976, but Coben carried forward their influence.
Riding for Tunnel
After his time with Zephyr, Coben joined Tunnel, a brand recognized for producing high-quality skateboard wheels. He had watched teammates Bob Biniak and Wenzl Ruml showcase their Tunnel Rocks wheels, which sparked his interest. With help from Mitch, one of Tunnel’s founders, Coben secured sponsorship and began riding for the company in 1977.
His signature setup featured a 26-inch blue deck with a kicktail and red Tunnel Rocks wheels. This configuration became synonymous with his skating style and helped establish his reputation in the skateboarding community. Coben earned recognition as a high jump champion and was known for technical skills, including nose wheelies.
Competition Success and Canyon Skating
Coben won the boys’ division at the first and only Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Skateboard Contest. Between heats, legendary skater Shogo Kubo coached him, contributing to his victory. Beyond formal competitions, Coben pioneered canyon skating in Malibu—riding down dirt tracks barefoot, a unique style that few skaters mastered.
During a contest in Ventura, Coben and friends grew bored with the formal event and found a dirt hill nearby. He performed an impressive barefoot nose wheelie in the dirt, a moment captured in his signature board graphic. This image appeared briefly in the skateboarding film “Go For It!”, cementing his place in skateboarding history.
Transition to Television Production
Coben shifted his focus from skateboarding to the entertainment industry. He began as a post-production assistant on “Father Dowling Mysteries” (also known as “Father Dowling Investigates”), a crime drama that aired from January 20, 1989, to May 21, 1991. This entry-level position provided valuable experience in television production.
In 2013, Coben returned to his skateboarding roots by appearing as an interviewee in the documentary “Signal Hill Speed Run,” which chronicled the first skateboard race. The following year, he worked as a producer on “Simpler Times” (2014), a short film. These projects demonstrated his ability to work both in front of and behind the camera.
CBS Studios Executive
Coben advanced to an executive position at CBS Studios (formerly CBS Paramount Television). In this role, he oversees various aspects of television production, including project development, budget management, and strategic programming decisions. His responsibilities involve coordinating with writers, directors, and actors to bring television projects from concept to completion.
While specific shows under his purview remain private, his position requires him to evaluate scripts, greenlight new projects, renew successful series, and make difficult decisions about underperforming programs. This behind-the-scenes work significantly influences what viewers see on television.
Marriage to Jane Leeves
Coben met English actress Jane Leeves at a Paramount Christmas party in 1995. Their first date took place at Pinot Hollywood shortly after. Leeves later described being immediately smitten, particularly by Coben’s smile. The couple married on December 21, 1996, in an intimate ceremony at a village church on a hilltop, attended by approximately 35 guests. Leeves’ mother arranged vintage cars to transport the wedding party.
Leeves gained fame portraying Daphne Moon on the NBC sitcom “Frasier” (1993-2004), earning Emmy and Golden Globe nominations for her performance. She later starred in TV Land’s “Hot in Cleveland” and FOX’s “The Resident.” Her career has made her a recognizable figure in American television.
Family Life
The couple has two children: Isabella Kathryn Coben, born January 9, 2001, and Finn William Leeves Coben, born December 19, 2003. They reside in Los Angeles, California, maintaining a private family life despite their connections to the entertainment industry. Leeves’ “Frasier” co-star Peri Gilpin is both a neighbor and close friend, and was present in the delivery room when Isabella was born.
Financial Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $3-5 million (estimates vary and are speculative) |
| Primary Income Sources | Television executive role at CBS Studios, production work |
| Career Highlights | Post-production assistant on “Father Dowling Mysteries”; producer of “Simpler Times”; CBS Studios executive |
| Spouse’s Net Worth | Jane Leeves: approximately $25 million (as of 2025) |
| Notable Contracts | Jane Leeves earned $416,666 per episode during Frasier’s final three seasons (2002-2004) |
Net worth estimates for Coben range from $3 to $5 million, primarily accumulated through his television executive and production roles. His wife Jane Leeves has an estimated net worth of $25 million as of 2025, earned through her successful acting career, particularly her role on “Frasier,” where she commanded a peak salary of over $400,000 per episode during the show’s final seasons.
Legacy in Skateboarding
While Coben’s skateboarding career was relatively brief, joining the Zephyr team during its final phase and later riding for Tunnel, his contributions remain part of skateboarding history. He was listed among the later members of the Z-Boys, a group widely regarded as the most influential skateboarding team ever assembled. His high jump skills and canyon skating techniques influenced fellow skaters during the sport’s formative years.
The Z-Boys brought a surf-influenced, aggressive style to skateboarding that replaced the gymnastic, handstand-based approach prevalent in the early 1970s. They took advantage of California’s 1976-1977 drought, when empty swimming pools became makeshift skateparks, to develop aerial and vertical techniques that form the foundation of modern skateboarding.
Coben continues his work as a television executive at CBS Studios while maintaining his family life in Los Angeles. He balances professional responsibilities with his roles as husband and father, staying largely out of the public eye despite his wife’s continued prominence in the entertainment industry.
His dual legacy—as both a skateboarding innovator and television executive—demonstrates the breadth of his talents and interests. From riding with the legendary Z-Boys to shaping television programming at one of America’s major networks, Coben has built a career defined by contributions to two very different cultural spheres.
Conclusion
Marshall Coben’s story spans two distinct worlds: the rebellious, creative energy of 1970s California skateboarding and the corporate structure of network television. As a member of the Zephyr team’s later generation, he witnessed and participated in a cultural movement that permanently changed skateboarding. His subsequent career as a CBS Studios executive demonstrates his ability to succeed in the highly competitive entertainment industry.
Though often recognized primarily as Jane Leeves’ husband, Coben has established his own professional identity through decades of behind-the-scenes work in television production. His preference for privacy, combined with steady career progression and a stable family life, reflects values that prioritize substance over publicity. Whether perfecting nose wheelies on dirt tracks or overseeing television projects, Coben has approached his varied career with dedication and skill.
