A Minneapolis native, Rachael Leigh Cook began her career in entertainment at the age of 15 and has since gone on to showcase her diverse talents, developing and appearing in numerous projects for both television and film.
Most recently, Cook was seen in Netflix’s “He’s All That,” a gender-swapped remake of her 1999 hit romantic comedy. In 2020, Cook pitched, produced and starred in the Netflix film Love Guaranteed opposite Damon Wayans Jr. and Heather Graham, which premiered to the streaming platform’s #1 spot. She also developed and headlined the highly rated film “Cross Country Christmas” for Hallmark Channel. Next up, Rachael developed the concept for the Netflix film “A Tourist’s Guide to Love,” in which she produce and star in.
What started as a love for acting eventually led to Cook finding her passion for other parts of the industry; namely creating original concepts, collaborating with writers, developing properties and seeing them through to production. Cook owns her own company and continues to work with major networks on the development and production side in addition to acting.
Cook began her acting career in 1995, when she booked her first audition as a lead in a major film in The Baby-Sitters Club. Cook quickly went on to star in a host of other films such as, Strike!, the Sundance Grand Jury Prize nominated film The Hi-Line and Tom and Huck. Cook went on to earn her title as rom-com darling in iconic roles as Laney Boggs in She’s All That opposite Freddie Prinze Jr. (1999) and Josie McCoy in Josie and the Pussycats (2001).
Cook has also voiced and appeared in multiple television projects; notably as Kate Moretti, the female lead in fan favorite “Perception” (TNT), cult hit “Psych” (USA), “Criminal Minds” (CBS), “Liza on Demand” (YouTube), and the Steven Spielberg produced mini-series “Into The West” (TNT). She regularly lends her voice to “Robot Chicken” (Cartoon Network) and the “Final Fantasy” video game franchise. Cook has also starred in feature films Get Carter, Nancy Drew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and 11:14.
Aside from the entertainment industry, Cook has been involved in several campaignssupporting causes that are close to her heart. She is well known for her “This is Your Brain on Drugs” PSA to raise awareness of the hazardous effects of heroin, a role she reprised with a timely spin nearly 20 years later for the Drug Policy Alliance. Cook was also selected by the Obama administration as a Champion of Change for Arts Education. Cook is also a mother of two and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
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