Nick Name : Cook
Birth : 4 October 1979, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Height : 5' 2"
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Minneapolis native Rachael Leigh Cook began her career as a model at the tender age of 10, gracing Milk-Bone(R) boxes and Target(R) ads nationwide. She also appeared in a now-famous anti-drug TV spot in which, armed with a frying pan, she bashed her way through a kitchen to show the disastrous effects of heroin. At 14, her modeling agency sent her to read for a short film (_26 Summer Street (1996)_ (qv)) and changed the course of her young life--from that moment on, Cook was hooked on acting. When she reached L.A. later that year, Cook bypassed the wannabe stage and nailed her first audition (for the part of a budding entrepreneur in _The Baby-Sitters Club (1995)_ (qv)). She returned to theaters three months later in the 'Jonathan Taylor Thomas' (qv) vehicle _Tom and Huck (1995)_ (qv), then filled her calendar with appearances in independent and made-for-TV movies. She divided her time between Minneapolis and Tinseltown, shuttling from school events to movie shoots with her mother in tow. Cook's starlet status crystallized in 1999, when she starred opposite 'Freddie Prinze Jr.' (qv) in the Pygmalion retelling _She's All That (1999)_ (qv). Her on-screen transformation from ugly duckling to ravishing beauty scored several teen-oriented awards and made Cook a hot commodity in Hollywood. She signed for a handful of plum follow-up roles, including a troubled adolescent in 'Sylvester Stallone' (qv)'s _Get Carter (2000)_ (qv), a frontier gal in _Texas Rangers (2001)_ (qv), and the caterwauling lead in the live-action version of _Josie and the Pussycats (2001)_ (qv). Cook now lives primarily in Los Angeles, but she returns home frequently to visit with friends and family. Her father, Tom (a former stand-up comic), is a social worker in the public school system, and her younger brother, Ben, is an aspiring filmmaker.
Biography written by: IMDb Editors
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- 11:14 (2003) [Cheri] <11>
- 1999 MTV Movie Awards (1999) (TV) [Herself]
- 2003 Much Music Video Music Awards (2003) (TV) [Herself]
- 26 Summer Street (1996) [The Girl] <2>
- 29 Palms (2002) [The Waitress] <12>
- All Hat (2007) [Chrissie Nugent] <5>
- American Crime (2004) (V) [Jesse St. Claire] <4>
- Antitrust (2001) [Lisa Calighan] <2>
- Antitrust: Cracking the Code (2001) (V) [Herself - 'Lisa Calighan'] <5>
- Backstage Pass (2001) (TV) [Herself] <1>
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000) (V) (voice) (as Rachel Leigh Cook) [Chelsea Cunninham] <15>
- Blonde Ambition (2007) [Haley] <3>
- Blow Dry (2001) [Christina Robertson] <4>
- Bob Funk (2009) [Ms. Thorne] <2>
- Bookies (2003) [Hunter] <4>
- Broken Kingdom (2010) [Marilyn]
- Carpool (1996) [Kayla] <6>
- Country Justice (1997) (TV) [Emma Baker] <2>
- Descent (2007) (uncredited) [Allison]
- Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (2006) (VG) (voice: English version) [Tifa Lockhart] <13>
- Fairy Tale Police (2008) [Officer Duffy] <1>
- Falling Up (2009) [Caitlin O' Shea] <4>
- Fearless (2004) (TV) [Gaia Moore] <1>
- Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) (voice: English version) [Tifa Lockhart] <25>
- Get Carter (2000) [Doreen] <3>
- Josie and the Pussycats (2001) [Josie McCoy] <1>
- Kerosene Cowboys (2010) [Karen Brooks]
- Kingdom Hearts II (2005) (VG) (voice: English version) [Tifa Lockhart] <21>
- Living Out Loud (1998) [Teenage Judith] <41>
- Matters of Life and Death (2007) [Emily Jennings] <1>
- MTV New Years Eve 2001 (2001) (TV) [Herself]
- My First Wedding (2004) [Vanessa] <1>
- Nancy Drew (2007) [Jane Brighton] <29>
- Nevermind Nirvana (2010) (TV) (rumored) [Elizabeth]
- Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '06 (2006) (TV) [Herself]
- Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '99 (1999) (TV) [Herself]
- Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2000 (2000) (TV) [Herself]
- PoliWood (2009) [Herself]
- Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II (2008) (TV) (voice) [Beru Lars/Sally Johnson/Gary's Wife]
- Ryû ga gotoku (2005) (VG) (voice: English version) [Reina] <5>
- Sally (2000) [Beth] <2>
- Scorched (2003/I) [Shmally] <2>
- She's All That (1999) [Laney Boggs] <2>
- Spike TV VGA Video Game Awards (2006) (TV) [Herself - Presenter] <2>
- Stateside (2004) [Dori Lawrence] <1>
- Strike! (1998) [Abigail 'Abby' Sawyer] <4>
- Tangled (2001) [Jenny Kelley] <1>
- Tempo (2003) [Jenny Travile] <2>
- Texas Rangers (2001) [Caroline Dukes] <2>
- The 2000 Radio Music Awards (2000) (TV) [Presenter]
- The 21 Hottest Stars Under 21 (1999) (TV) [Herself - #20]
- The 28th Annual American Music Awards (2001) (TV) [Herself]
- The 57th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2000) (TV) [Herself]
- The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2007) (TV) [Herself]
- The Baby-Sitters Club (1995) [Mary Anne Spier] <3>
- The Big Empty (2003) [Ruthie] <8>
- The Bumblebee Flies Anyway (1999) [Cassie] <10>
- The Defenders: Payback (1997) (TV) [Tracey Lane]
- The Eighteenth Angel (1998) [Lucy Stanton] <2>
- The Family Tree (2010) [Rachel]
- The Final Season (2007) [Polly Hudson] <24>
- The Hi-Line (1999) [Vera Johnson] <3>
- The House of Yes (1997) [Young 'Jackie-O'] <6>
- The Lodger (2009) [Amanda] <6>
- The Naked Man (1998) [Delores] <5>
- The Nth Degree (2010) [Kate]
- The Teen Choice Awards 1999 (1999) (TV) [Herself]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2000 (2000) (TV) [Herself]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2001 (2001) (TV) [Herself]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2002 (2002) (TV) [Herself - Presenter]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2003 (2003) (TV) [Herself]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2004 (2004) (TV) [Herself]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2005 (2005) (TV) [Herself - Atendee]
- The Teen Choice Awards 2006 (2006) (TV) [Herself]
- Tom and Huck (1995) [Becky Thatcher] <8>
- True Women (1997) (TV) [Georgia Lawshe (young)] <5>
- Vampire (2011)
- Young Hollywood Awards (2001) (TV) [Herself]
- "Batman Beyond" (1999) {Plague (#2.21)} (voice) (as Rachel Leigh Cook) [Chelsea] <9>
- "Batman Beyond" (1999) {The Last Resort (#2.16)} (voice) [Chelsea Cunningham]
- "Celebrity Adventures" (2001) {Great Barrier Reef (#1.5)} [Herself]
- "Dawson's Creek" (1998) {A Perfect Wedding (#2.18)} [Devon] <12>
- "Dawson's Creek" (1998) {His Leading Lady (#2.13)} [Devon] <11>
- "Dawson's Creek" (1998) {Psychic Friends (#2.17)} [Devon] <11>
- "E! True Hollywood Story" (1996) {Tara Reid} (archive footage) [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2001-03-09)} [Herself]
- "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) {(2001-10-12)} [Herself]
- "Ghost Whisperer" (2005) {Big Chills (#4.2)} [Grace Adams] <10>
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2000-09-06)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2000-09-07)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2000-09-08)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2001-01-29)} [Herself]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2001-01-30)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2001-01-31)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2001-02-01)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hollywood Squares" (1998) {(2001-02-02)} [Guest Appearance]
- "Hot Ticket" (2001) [Herself (2001)]
- "I Love the 80's 3-D" (2005) [Herself]
- "I Love Toys" (2006) [Herself]
- "Into the West" (2005) {Casualties of War (#1.5)} [Clara Wheeler] <9>
- "Into the West" (2005) {Hell on Wheels (#1.4)} [Clara Wheeler] <9>
- "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" (2003) {(2003-12-16)} [Herself]
- "Las Vegas" (2003) {Double Down, Triple Threat (#3.3)} [Penny Posin] <9>
- "Las Vegas" (2003) {Fake the Money and Run (#3.2)} [Penny Posin] <7>
- "Las Vegas" (2003) {The Big Ed De-cline (#3.5)} [Penny Posin] <7>
- "Las Vegas" (2003) {The Real McCoy (#3.6)} [Penny Posin] <7>
- "Las Vegas" (2003) {Whatever Happened to Seymour Magoon? (#3.4)} [Penny Posin] <8>
- "Politically Incorrect" (1994) {(1999-03-08)} [Herself]
- "Politically Incorrect" (1994) {(2000-02-15)} [Herself]
- "Politically Incorrect" (1994) {(2000-07-25)} [Herself]
- "Politically Incorrect" (1994) {(2001-02-13)} [Herself]
- "Psych" (2006) {An Evening with Mr. Yang (#3.16)} [Abigail Lytar] <8>
- "Psych" (2006) {Bollywood Homicide (#4.6)} [Abigail Lytar] <7>
- "Psych" (2006) {He Dead (#4.2)} [Abigail Lytar] <8>
- "Psych" (2006) {Mr. Yin Presents (#4.16)} [Abigail Lytar] <10>
- "Psych" (2006) {Murder?... Anyone?... Anyone?... Bueller? (#3.2)} [Abigail Lytar] <8>
- "Psych" (2006) {You Can't Handle This Episode (#4.10)} [Abigail Lytar] <8>
- "Punk'd" (2003) {(#2.5)} [Herself]
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {Due to Constraints of Time and Budget (#4.15)} (voice) [Timmy's Mom/Chelsie's Mom/Ex-Girlfriend]
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {I'm Trapped (#4.3)} (voice) [Evil-Lyn/Christmas Jones/Various]
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {Junk in the Trunk (#1.1)} (voice) [Herself]
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {Lust for Puppets (#2.18)} (voice) [Frankenstein's Fiancee] <4>
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {President Evil (#3.19)} (voice) [Rosa's Mother/Daughter/Girl]
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {Rodigitti (#2.8)} (voice) [Nurse/Robot]
- "Robot Chicken" (2005) {Shoe (#3.5)} (voice) [Evil-Lyn/Princess Zelda]
- "Rome Is Burning" (2003) {(2007-01-04)} (archive footage) [Herself]
- "The Daily Show" (1996) {(2000-02-24)} [Herself]
- "The Daily Show" (1996) {(2001-04-24)} [Herself]
- "The Early Show" (1999) {(2000-09-08)} [Herself]
- "The Early Show" (1999) {(2001-03-30)} [Herself]
- "The Early Show" (1999) {(2001-08-04)} [Herself]
- "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (2005) {(#1.88)} [Herself]
- "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" (1999) {(1999-08-16)} [Herself]
- "The Outer Limits" (1995) {Glyphic (#4.9)} [Cassie Boussard] <1>
- "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" (1996) {(2001-01-05)} [Herself]
- "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" (1996) {(2001-04-11)} [Herself]
- "The Sharon Osbourne Show" (2003) {(2003-12-22)} [Herself]
- "The Soup" (2004) {(2010-03-05)} [Herself] <4>
- "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) {(1999-02-09)} [Herself]
- "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) {(2000-12-29)} [Herself]
- "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992) {(2001-04-09)} [Herself]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Busted (#1.2)} (voice) [Lt. Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Dirty Lansbury (#1.6)} (voice) [Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Megamum Overdrive (#1.7)} (voice) [Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Mercury Falling (#1.8)} (voice) [Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {One Billion Dead Grandparents (#1.9)} (voice) [Lt. Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Pilot (#1.1)} (voice) [Lt. Jodi Yanarella/Sensor Tech]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Tip of the Iceberg (#1.3)} (voice) [Lt. Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {To Eris, Human (#1.5)} (voice) [Lt. Jodi Yanarella]
- "Titan Maximum" (2009) {Went to Party, Got Crabs (#1.4)} (voice) [Lt. Jodi Yanarella]
- "Total Request Live" (1998) {(2002-04-11)} [Herself]
- "Total Request Live" (1998) {(2005-03-14)} [Herself]
- "Up Close with Carrie Keagan" (2007) {(2007-10-09)} [Herself] <3>
- "Weekends at the DL" (2005) {(#1.3)} [Herself]
- "WOAK Live" (1988) {Rachael Leigh Cook visits WOAK (#10.16)}
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- 'Daniel Gillies (I)' (qv) (14 August 2004 - present)
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- _Josie and the Pussycats (2001)_ (qv) -> $1,500,000
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- "Minneapolis Star Tribune" (USA), 1996, Vol. January Iss. 7, pg. F6, by: Jeff Strickler
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- "Vox" (Hungary), October 2001, Iss. 54, pg. 113, by: stalex, "Színészlexikon"
- "Playboy" (USA), May 2001, Vol. 48, Iss. 5, pg. 30, by: -staff, "Babe Of The Month: Rachael Leigh Cook"
- "TV Guide" (USA), 31 March 2001, Vol. 49, Iss. 2505, pg. 20-24+26, by: Josh Rottenberg, "What's new, Pussycats?"
- "Teen People" (USA), October 2000, pg. 142, by: Nick Baratta, "Hip Squares"
- "Parade" (USA), 27 August 2000, by: James Brady, "In Step With Rachael Leigh Cook"
- "Seventeen" (USA), May 2000, pg. 126-128+134, by: Heidi Sherman, "she's all that (and more)"
- "Seventeen" (USA), December, 1999, pg. 107, by: Sarah Goldsmith, "Stars in Your Eyes"
- "FHM" (UK), August 1999, Iss. 115, pg. 39, "Fair lady"
- "Movieline" (USA), April 1999, Vol. X, Iss. 7, pg. 14, by: Dennis Hensley, "Hype: Rachel Leigh Cook"
- "Bikini" (USA), February 1999, Vol. -, Iss. 40, pg. 46, by: Bill Shafton, "Rachael Leigh Cook: All That and More"
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- "Cinema" (Hungary), September 2001, Iss. 118, pg. 13, "Az ifjúság édes madara"
- "YM" (USA), May 2001, pg. 54-57, by: Antoine Verglas, "Josis & the Pussycats: Offstage"
- "Maxim" (USA), May 2001, Iss. Special, pg. 16-17, by: Naomi Kaltman, "Maxim Hot 100 2001: #29"
- "Teen People" (USA), April 2001, pg. 208-213, by: Todd France, "Meow Mix"
- "TV Guide" (USA), 31 March 2001, Vol. 49, Iss. 2505, pg. 3+20+21+22+24, by: Andrew Southam, "Josie and the Pussycats"
- "FHM" (USA), March 2000, Vol. 1, Iss. 1, pg. 160-166, by: Naomi Kaltman, "Hot Property"
- "MAXIM" (USA), July/August, 1999, "10 Sexiest Nymphets in Hollywood"
- "Movieline" (USA), July 1999, Vol. X, Iss. 10, pg. 62, by: Charles Oakley, "Revenge Of The Starlets"
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- "Veronica" (Netherlands), 8 December 2007, Iss. 49
- "Get It" (Holland), June 2004, Vol. 122, Iss. 112
- "Get It" (Holland), June 2004, Vol. 122, Iss. 112
- "Razor" (USA), October 2002
- "FW" (Canada), Summer 2001, Iss. 26
- "Total Movie" (USA), April 2001, Iss. 4
- "TV Guide" (USA), 31 March 2001, Vol. 49, Iss. 2505
- "Entertainment Weekly" (USA), 16 February 2001, Vol. 1, Iss. 582
- "Cosmo girl!" (USA), September 2000
- "Parade" (USA), 27 August 2000
- "Seventeen" (USA), May 2000
- "FHM" (USA), March 2000, Vol. 1, Iss. 1
- "Entertainment Weekly" (USA), 12 March 1999, Iss. 476
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- Music video for Sixpence None The Richer: "Kiss Me"
- Was in an anti-drugs commercial.
- Was in a PSA that promoted adoptions, when she was a child.
- Was a Target Stores catalog print model at age 11 (approx).
- (July 2001) Appeared in New Found Glory's "Dressed To Kill" music video
- Featured as March on the 2001 FHM calendar.
- Appeared in Daniel Powter's "Love You Lately" music video.
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- (January 2006) Filming _Nancy Drew (2007)_ (qv) starring alongside 'Emma Roberts (II)' (qv).
- (July 2006) On the set of "The Final Season"
- (November 2008) With 'Kal Penn' (qv), appeared at Keene State College on November 3rd to campaign for 'Barack Obama' (qv).
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- I'm not small, I'm space-efficient.
- "I'd love to do a sequel. Even if it was 'Ernest Goes to Mars 3'- if these girls were in it, I'd do it in a minute". [Referring to _Josie and the Pussycats (2001)_ (qv) in an interview she gave to TV Guide (Issue #2505, 31 March 2001; article title "What's new, Pussycats?" by Josh Rottenberg)]
- I would love to work with 'Rosario Dawson' (qv) & 'Tara Reid' (qv) again. We were a team on the set of _Josie and the Pussycats (2001)_ (qv), our chemistry was great from the first day of filming & you don't really expect that when you work with new people. I still call them everyday, like sisters to me!
- My height was never a factor.
- When I came into the business, things changed a lot, and my life was in a real state of flux.
- Hours fly by while I'll just be in my apartment, and somehow it will be messy later. I'll clean it up and eat cereal and watch Ricki Lake and call friends I haven't talked to.
- Sometimes I'm just a disaster! Other times it seems like I'm one of the most normal people I know.
- Acting just sort of happened and I found that I loved it. It was such a challenge.
- You wouldn't recognize me from one project to the next.
- On Josie & the pussycats; I guess I've done one other movie with a group of girls (Strike), but we weren't as close.
- On Josie and the pussycats; I'm learning to play guitar. It's very difficult, but I'm determined to do it right so I don't make anybody mad.
- I always say that even if this were the worst movie in the world, I'd do it again because it was such a good time.
- Once I tried highlighting my brother's hair, but I think I mixed it wrong. It was as if someone poured kerosene on his head.
- You know, we have to take these characters who, granted, have their separate personalities but, on a lot of levels, are pretty two-dimensional and make them into people with flaws, with insecurities
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- Was a print model for 5 years before becoming an actress.
- Is a vegetarian.
- Was a student of the Laurel Springs School, a school for young actors who can't attend a more regular school due to time commitments.
- Was in a memorable anti-drug commercial where she smashes an egg with a frying pan ("this is your brain on heroin") and proceeds to trash the room with the frying pan ("this is your family, friends, career, etc."). Arguably one of the few effective anti-drug spots ever made.
- Owns her own production company called Ben's Sister Productions.
- Attended Minneapolis South High School, the same school as actor 'Josh Hartnett' (qv).
- Dated _"Boy Meets World" (1993)_ (qv) star 'Rider Strong' (qv).
- Played the younger version of 'Parker Posey' (qv)'s character in _The House of Yes (1997)_ (qv). Posey plays the villain in _Josie and the Pussycats (2001)_ (qv).
- Noisy underground British artist 'Firexit' has created two songs especially for Rachael Leigh Cook. The two songs are called 'This is for Rachael Leigh Cook' and a rare acoustic track called 'Dear Rachael'. In a interview, Gareth Gerrard (aka Firexit) was asked about the songs, he replied "Rachael is everything, I love her very much".
- Was recommended to the producers of _"Dawson's Creek" (1998)_ (qv) by _Texas Rangers (2001)_ (qv) co-star 'James Van Der Beek' (qv). She guest starred with him in 3 episodes.
- In early 2001, she met actor 'Ryan Reynolds (I)' (qv) and the two immediately hit it off. However, she had to fly to England shortly after to film _Blow Dry (2001)_ (qv). Ryan ended up suprising her, pulling out of his filming schedule and following her all the way to London. It was a success and they ended up dating for a year.
- (December 2003) Engaged to actor 'Daniel Gillies (I)' (qv).
- Her mother was a cooking instructor and is currently a weaver.
- There is a Minneapolis rock and blues band called "Budding Hollywood Starlet" that is named in honor of her and other budding Hollywood starlets.
- Ranked #26 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002).
- _She's All That (1999)_ (qv) was the second time she had worked in a film with 'Freddie Prinze Jr.' (qv), although in their first project together, _The House of Yes (1997)_ (qv), they shared no scenes together.
- Her mother is of Italian ancestry
- After reading 'R. Lee Fleming Jr''s script for _She's All That (1999)_ (qv) Rachael began to like the storyline more and more, soon after she was asked to play the role of Laney Boggs. She decided to take the lead role.
- Was considered for the role of Rogue in the X-Men movies but turned the part down due to having work with CGI costumes and effects. The role then went to 'Anna Paquin' (qv), Rachael's fellow co-star from _She's All That (1999)_ (qv).
- Her guitar teachers were Fast Freddie & Phil X.
- Owns a Sports utility vehicle.
- Had little interest in modeling by the time she was 15 and tried to focus more on school of which she became fonder.
- Has two cats at home in Minnesota named Beau and Skippy.
- Has a toothbrush collection at her parents home in Minneapolis.
- Did a school senior paper entitled "Politics, Shmolotics, and 10 other reasons I'll never be President".
- Her dream role is Kate Nolan from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".
- Her favorite color is black.
- 'Stephenie Meyer' (qv) wrote the Twilight character of 'Alice Cullen' (qv) with her in mind.
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