Jason Cook (actor)

Jason Cook
Born	Jason John Cook September 13, 1980 (1980-09-13) (age 31) Somerdale, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1986–present

Jason John Cook (born September 13, 1980) is an American actor, screenwriter, film director and film producer best known for the soap opera television roles of Shawn-Douglas Brady on Days of our Lives from 1999 to 2006, and of Matt Hunter on General Hospital from 2008 to present.

Biography

Cook was born in Camden, New Jersey to Bill Cook (a licensed civil engineer in California) and JoAnn (a pre-school teacher); he has two sisters, Michelle and Janean, and a brother, Michael. When he was very young, his family moved to California. At an early age, Jason began studying the piano. As his musical skills improved, he got jobs performing at occasional weddings. He did not consider acting until high school, when he served as an emergency replacement in Whodunnit. A friend of Jason's mother, whose husband was an agent and manager for child actors, helped Jason get his first auditions and roles. Jason attended Westlake High School in Westlake Village, California and graduated in 1998.

Jason attended Moorpark College, a two-year junior college, in Moorpark California and completed his freshman year in the spring semester of 1999. While attending Moopark College he was active on the speech and debate teams, competing nationally.

Career

Cook portrayed Shawn-Douglas Brady on Days of our Lives from October 1999 and was very popular with fans, especially in Shawn's relationship with Belle Black. When Cook's contract with Days of our Lives expired in September 2006, he left the show. Actor Brandon Beemer was recast as Shawn and debuted in the role September 28, 2006.

While on the show, Cook turned his attention to writing and directing films, making the indie film Social Security Guard, starring his current General Hospital" co-star John Ingle. He left the show to pursue production full time on Numb To Life.

Cook's other acting credits include the film The Wizard of Loneliness, Disney's Project Time and the TV movie Club Med.

On April 23, 2008, it was announced that Cook would be returning to Daytime TV on General Hospital as new character Matt Hunter. His first appearance was on June 27, 2008.

While away from acting he continued writing, directing, and producing by shooting the film Numb To Life, a documentary exploring pharmaceutical drug abuse, as his first feature documentary by Jason Cook. The film's release is forthcoming.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Cook is also producing and directing the forthcoming show LifeCHANGE during time off from General Hospital.

Filmography

Actor

• Club Med (1986) (TV)
• The Wizard of Loneliness (1988) as Monroe
• The Amanda Show (1 episode, 1999) (TV)
• Days of Our Lives (958 episodes, 1999–2006) (TV) as Shawn-Douglas Brady
• Turbulent Skies (2010) (TV) as John Wilson
• General Hospital (190 episodes, 2008–present)(TV) as Matt Hunter
• The Son of an Afghan Farmer (2011) as Ken
• Young Again (2012) as Tyrone

Writer/Director

• The Making of Triassic Park (2004) (as writer/director/producer)
• School Spirit as Writer (2006) (as writer)
• Social Security Guard (2007) (as writer/director/producer)
• I Arise (2007) (as writer)
• Numb To Life (2007–2009) (as writer/director/producer)
• Gregg's Story (2008) (as writer)
• The Vacation Epic (2008) (as writer)
• The Boy and His Gryphon (2009) (YA novel, as writer)
• Two Buck Chuck (2010) (commercial)
• High On the Hog (2011) (music video, as director)

Awards and nominations

Jason Cook has received recognition for his work on Days of Our Lives:

• 2001, Won Soap Opera Digest Award for 'Outstanding Younger Lead Actor'
• 2003, Won Boomerang Award for Outstanding Actor
• 2005, nominated for Soap Opera Digest Award for 'Favorite Triangle'
• 2005, nominated for Soap Opera Digest Award for 'Outstanding Younger Lead Actor'
• 2005, nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards Special Fan Award for 'Irresistible Combination'

See also

• Days of our Lives
• General Hospital
• Shawn-Douglas Brady
• Matt Hunter
• Shawn and Belle
• Supercouple

References

1. ^ http://www.justice.gov/dea/concern/prescription_drug_fact_sheet.html
2. ^ http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Testimony/ucm111062.htm
3. ^ http://www.drugfree.org/Portal/DrugIssue/Research/2008_Parents_Attitude_Tracking_Study/Risk_of_teen_prescription_drug_abuse
4. ^ http://oas.samhsa.gov/nsduh/2k8nsduh/2k8Results.cfm
5. ^ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080105140107.htm

External links

• Jason Cook at the Internet Movie Database

Persondata
Name	Cook, Jason
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	September 13, 1980
Place of birth	Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Date of death
Place of death