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A.J. CookCanadian actress
Date of Birth: 22.07.1978
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Biography of A.J. Cook
- Early Life and Education
- Early Career
- Rise to Fame
- 'Criminal Minds' and Recent Work
- Personal Life
- Cook and her husband also own a Yorkshire Terrier named Zara.
Biography of A.J. Cook
A.J. Cook, born Andrea Joy Cook, is a Canadian actress who is best known for her role as FBI Special Agent Jennifer Jareau 'J.J.' in the television series 'Criminal Minds'. She has also appeared in several Hollywood films, including 'The Virgin Suicides' with Kirsten Dunst, 'Out Cold', and 'Final Destination 2'.
Early Life and Education
A.J. Cook was born on July 22, 1978, in Oshawa, Ontario. In her early years, she suffered from severe astigmatism, which caused her to be almost blind and unable to focus her vision correctly. However, she regained her vision with the help of contact lenses. Eventually, Cook underwent surgery and had lens implants to correct her vision.
Cook grew up in Whitby, where she attended Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute (ACVI), a school known for its academic and extracurricular programs. Her father, Mike, is a teacher, and her mother, Sandra, is a psychiatrist. She has two brothers, Nathan and Paul, and a sister named Angela.
Early Career
Cook began dancing at the age of four and took lessons in jazz, tap, and ballet. She initially focused on a dance career and achieved notable success before deciding to pursue acting at the age of 16.
Her first acting role was in a McDonald's commercial in 1997. She then appeared in an episode of the television series 'Goosebumps' and two TV films, 'His Father's Shoes' and 'Elvis Meets Nixon'.
Rise to Fame
Cook's breakthrough in the film industry came in 1999 when she played Mary Lisbon, one of the five suicidal sisters, in Sofia Coppola's drama 'The Virgin Suicides'. That same year, she landed one of the main roles in the TV series 'Higher Ground', portraying the teenage girl Shelby Merrick, a student at a school for troubled children. The show only lasted for one season but featured a romance between Shelby and Scott, played by Hayden Christensen.
In 2000, Cook appeared in the TV film 'The Spiral Staircase' and went on to secure leading roles in films such as 'Out Cold', 'Ripper', 'I'm Reed Fish', and 'Final Destination 2'.
She also had recurring roles in the TV series 'Dead Like Me' as Charlotte and 'Tru Calling' as Lindsay Walker.
'Criminal Minds' and Recent Work
Starting from September 2005, Cook has been working on the long-running series 'Criminal Minds'. In June 2010, there were rumors that her character, Jennifer Jareau, would be written out of the show. However, due to the overwhelming response from fans who did not want to see her leave, Cook returned for two more seasons. In April 2011, it was announced that she would continue her role in the series for two additional seasons.
In 2012, Cook appeared in the drama film 'Least Among Saints', and in 2013, she landed the lead role in the horror film 'Wer'.
In 2014, Cook's photos were featured in the winter issue of 'Maxim' magazine.
Personal Life
On August 3, 2001, Cook married her long-time boyfriend Nathan Andersen. They have a son named Mekhai Allan Andersen, who was born on September 13, 2008. Mekhai has made appearances in his mother's series 'Criminal Minds'.
Cook and her husband also own a Yorkshire Terrier named Zara.
She is close friends with fellow actress Meghan Ory.Cook is a member of the religious organization known as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
