Nathan Cook
Encyclopedia
Nathan Cook was an American actor. His eldest brother, Edward Cook (born December 22, 1947, died 1995) was a ballet dancer and choreographer in Europe. He is survived by one sister and a younger brother.
Cook was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduation from Penn State University, he was hired as a member of the repertory company at Actors Theatre of Louisville
, in Kentucky. After moving to Los Angeles in 1975, he was known for roles on two television series. He played Milton Reese, one of the high school basketball players, on The White Shadow
(1978–1980). He also played security head Billy Griffin on Hotel
(1983–1988). Between these two he had a shorter role (1981–1982) as Detective Virgil Brooks in Hill Street Blues
. He was involved for a time with the actress Alfre Woodard
before marrying and having two children in 1984 and 1986.
He also made frequent appearances as a celebrity guest on the game shows Body Language
, Super Password
, and the $25,000 and $100,000 Pyramids
.
Cook, an accomplished jazz flute player, died in 1988 from a severe allergic reaction to penicillin
. His favorite saying was: "It's okay to fool the people, as long as you don't fool yourself."
Cook was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduation from Penn State University, he was hired as a member of the repertory company at Actors Theatre of Louisville
Actors Theatre of Louisville
Actors Theatre of Louisville is a performing arts theater located in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It was founded in 1964 by Louisville native Ewel Cornett, local producer Richard Block and actor Ken Jenkins of Scrubs fame, and was designated the "State Theater of Kentucky" in 1974. It is run as a...
, in Kentucky. After moving to Los Angeles in 1975, he was known for roles on two television series. He played Milton Reese, one of the high school basketball players, on The White Shadow
The White Shadow
The White Shadow is an American drama television series that ran on the CBS network from November 27, 1978, to March 16, 1981.-Overview:...
(1978–1980). He also played security head Billy Griffin on Hotel
Hotel (TV series)
Hotel is an American prime time drama series which aired on ABC from September 21, 1983 to May 5, 1988 in the timeslot following Dynasty....
(1983–1988). Between these two he had a shorter role (1981–1982) as Detective Virgil Brooks in Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues
Hill Street Blues is an American serial police drama that was first aired on NBC in 1981 and ran for 146 episodes on primetime into 1987. Chronicling the lives of the staff of a single police precinct in an unnamed American city, the show received critical acclaim and its production innovations ...
. He was involved for a time with the actress Alfre Woodard
Alfre Woodard
Alfre Ette Woodard is an American film, stage, and television actress. She has been nominated once for an Academy Award and Grammy Awards, 17 times for Emmy Awards , and has also won a Golden Globe and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.She is known for her role in films such as Cross Creek, Miss...
before marrying and having two children in 1984 and 1986.
He also made frequent appearances as a celebrity guest on the game shows Body Language
Body Language (game show)
Body Language is an American game show produced by Mark Goodson Productions. The show aired on CBS from June 4, 1984 until January 3, 1986, and was hosted by Tom Kennedy...
, Super Password
Password Plus and Super Password
Password Plus and Super Password are American game shows that are revivals of the game show Password. Both Password Plus and Super Password had the same format other than some subtle changes....
, and the $25,000 and $100,000 Pyramids
Pyramid (game show)
Pyramid is an American television game show which has aired several versions. The original series, The $10,000 Pyramid, debuted March 26, 1973 and spawned seven subsequent Pyramid series...
.
Cook, an accomplished jazz flute player, died in 1988 from a severe allergic reaction to penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
. His favorite saying was: "It's okay to fool the people, as long as you don't fool yourself."