Andrea Joy Cook, popularly known as A.J. Cook is a well-known Canadian actress. She is best known for her role in the CBS police crime drama ‘Criminal Minds’ where she portrays a Supervisory Special Agent known as Jennifer Jareau. The show has been running since 2005 and as of 2017, it is running in its 13th season. Born in Oshawa, Ontario, in Canada, Cook was inclined towards acting from her early years.
A.J. Cook Early Life
Cook was born in Oshawa, Ontario. She spent most of her early life in nearby Whitby. Cook was declared legally blind in the second grade because of severe astigmatism but wore contacts and thick glasses to correct her vision.
She was certified legally blind at a young age due to severe astigmaatism. She was able to correct her vision with thick glasses and contacts. Later on, she needed surgery as well.She took ballet, tap, and jazz dance classes after starting to dance as a young child. Before deciding to pursue a career in acting, her original plan was to open a dance studio.
In 2007 she underwent surgery during which a lens implant corrected the impairment. She danced competitively for many years, before deciding at the age of 16 that she wanted to try acting and the rest is history.
A.J. Cook Professional Life
Cook’s first acting role was in the TV series ‘Goosebumps’, which was based on the popular Goosebumps horror storybook series by American author RL Stine. Her next appearances were in the TV movies ‘His Father’s Shoes’ and ‘Elvis Meets Nixon’.in 1999, she made her film debut in the drama film ‘The Virgin Suicides’.
She gained popularity the following year for her appearance in ‘Higher Ground’ where she was seen in one of the main roles in 2005, she played a lead role in the horror TV movie ‘Bloodsuckers’. A.J. Cook then appeared in the main role in the 2007 horror film ‘Night Skies’.
She was also seen in the psychological horror film ‘Mother’s Day’ in a minor role. Her latest appearances were in the films ‘Least Among Saints’ (2012) where she played a supporting role and ‘Wer’ (2013) in which she portrayed the main role.
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A.J. Cook Personal Life
A.J. Cook married her long-time boyfriend Nathan Anderson in 2001. They currently reside in Los Angeles, California, with their two sons, Mekhai, born in 2008, and Phoenix Sky, born in 2015. Cook, who is a Christian, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
| Full Name | Andrea Joy Cook |
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1978 |
| Father | Mike |
| Mother | Sandra |
| Husband | Nathan Andersen (M. 2001) |
| Siblings | Angela Cook, Nathan Cook, Paul Cook |
| Children | 2(Mekhai Allan Andersen, Phoenix Sky Andersen) |
A.J. Cook Education and Qualification
She attended Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute. She took acting classes at Utah Valley State College which was formerly called Utah Valley University.
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A.J. Cook Net Worth and Salary
AJ Cook has been in the entertainment business since 1997, and her involvement in over a dozen films has allowed her to accumulate substantial wealth. Her salary is approximately $100,000 per year. By 2024, Cook’s estimated net worth will be $5 million. Cook currently leads a lavish and comfortable life with her husband and their two sons. The couple has a permanent apartment of their own in Los Angeles.
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Nationality | American and Canadian |
| Profession | Actress |
| Awards | Prism Awards |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Zodiac sign | Cancer |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
| Years Active | 1997–present |
Facts-
- Cook’s first job was in a McDonald’s commercial in 1997.
- J.’s nickname is Dre.
- Her father, Mike, is a teacher and her mother, Sandra, works for a psychiatrist.
- J. Cook is right-handed.
- J. Cook splits her time between Los Angeles and Vancouver.
- September 2001, Cook married her boyfriend Nathan Andersen, whom she met at Utah Valley University.
