Joshua Keller Katz is an American WGA screenwriter, actor, and disabled veteran based in Los Angeles, California. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where, as a child, he appeared in local radio and television commercials and, later, in local community theater productions. As a teen, he landed a small role in Paramount Picture's Milk Money. Katz first started writing around that time as a freelance writer for the popular Cincinnati publication Everybody's News. Upon completing high school, he served in the United States Navy as a Gunner's Mate, becoming a Missile Tech and a first defense responder to NY and DC on 9/11. Following his military commitment, Katz graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in electronic media. In 2015 Joshua participated in the Veterans Writing Project, a year-long screenwriting mentorship at the WGA. Upon graduating from the course, Joshua founded the Alumni Association. He was a Program Coordinator for the program and has now come full circle as a WGAW mentor. Joshua has continued to act on-camera, including a recurring co-star role on all three seasons of Code Black on CBS. He also wrote a series of commercials for Under Armour. Joshua is the Assistant to the Executive Producers for the CBS sitcom, United States of Al, on which he is also a contributing freelance writer.
Unique traits: Real Combat Veteran, Tactical & Firearms Expert
Last Flight From Kabul Budget: $10M - $30M | Drama ⋄ Biography The true story of an Operation Enduring Freedom veteran's attempted race to rescue 5 refugees who are hunted by the Taliban during the final days of the US evacuation from Afghanistan as he worked on a primetime network sitcom that mirrored all of the events.
Shetani Budget: $10M - $30M | Thriller ⋄ Crime A Kenyan wildlife ranger hunts for poachers and battles bureaucracy, amid rumors of a large killer elephant, which locals believe is the Devil incarnate.
The Secret of Sleep Budget: $1M - $5M | Crime ⋄ Comedy An insomniac repoman places a narcoleptic woman’s life in danger when he seizes a vehicle from an unhinged drug cartel member.
United States of Al - "Hunt"
(
Television
by CBS / Nikki Lorre (Comedy)
Writer (story) Riley, upset that Freddy taught Hazel how to ride a bike while he was deployed, attempts to teach her something new to make up for it; Ariana invites Al to a fundraiser involving spin bikes.
United States of Al - "Repo"
(
Television
by CBS / Mark Cendrowski
Writer (story, uncredited) "Al and Riley take on second jobs as "repo men" to make extra money to send to Al's sister, but Riley's behavior while working becomes concerning. "
*this episode was based on my life as a repo man when I got out of the military and went back home to Ohio.
United States of Al - "Fundraiser"
(
Television
by CBS / Nikki Lorre (Comedy)
Writer (story) Riley, upset that Freddy taught Hazel how to ride a bike while he was deployed, attempts to teach her something new to make up for it; Ariana invites Al to a fundraiser involving spin bikes.
By Day's End
(
Film
(Horror and Romance)
Actor
Code Black
(
Television
(Drama)
Actor
Super-Fan Builds
(
TV Series
Miscellaneous Crew
American Crime Story
(
Television
(Biography, Crime and Drama)
Actor
Redheads Anonymous
(
Television
(Comedy)
Producer
Dark of Day
(
Film
(Short and Sci-Fi)
Actor
What Ain't Yours
(
Film
(Short and Western)
Actor
Milk Money
(
Film
(Comedy and Romance)
Actor
Soul Pursuit
Camera and Electrical Department
RespectAbility Entertainment Lab - Fellow
(2024)
ScreenCraft True Story Contest - Semi Finalist, "Last Flight From Kabul"
(2024)
Scriptation Showcase - Semi Finalist, "Last Flight From Kabul"
(2024)
Nicholl Fellowships - Quarter Finalist, "Last Flight From Kabul"
(2023)
Austin Film Festival - 2nd Rounder, "Last Flight From Kabul"
(2023)
Nicholl Fellowships - Top 10%, "Shetani"
(2020)
Nicholl Fellowships - Top 15%, "The Secret of Sleep"
(2020)
Cindependent Film Festival - WINNER, Best Feature Screenplay, "No Angel"
(2019)
Pitch Now Competition - Official Finalist, "Mocky's Revenge"
(2019)
Los Angeles Crime And Horror Film Festival - Official Finalist, "The Secret Of Sleep"
(2019)
Vail Film Festival - Official Finalist, "Shetani"
(2019)
Cindependent Film Festival - Official Finalist, "Leapers"
(2018)
Black Screenplays Matter - Official Finalist, "Shetani"
(2018)
International Screenwriters Association: Fast Track Fellowship - Top 50, "The Secret Of Sleep"
(2015)
New York Screenplay Contest: Comedy Competition - Park Avenue Award, "The Secret Of Sleep"
(2014)
New York Screenplay Contest: Drama Competition - Official Finalist, "Shetani" (retitled)
(2014)
Hollywood Screenplay Contest: Drama Competition - Official Finalist, "Shetani" (retitled)
(2014)
Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest: Comedy Competition - Bronze Award "The Secret Of Sleep"
(2013)
Writers Guild Foundation
(2015-2016)
University of Cincinnati
(2007-2009)