Nathan Cook (actor)

Nathan Earl Cook (April 9, 1950 – June 11, 1988) was an American actor.

Nathan Cook
Born	Nathan Earl Cook (1950-04-09)April 9, 1950 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	June 11, 1988(1988-06-11) (aged 38) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1974–1988
Spouse	Cara Cook (1984–1988; his death)[1]
Children	2

Early life

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.

Career

After moving to Los Angeles in 1975, Cook was popularly known for roles on two television series: playing Milton Reese, a high school basketball player on The White Shadow (1978–1980), and portraying 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.

Cook made frequent appearances as a celebrity guest on the game shows Body Language, Super Password, and the $25,000 and $100,000 Pyramids. He helped a contestant win a $100,000 Pyramid Tournament of Champions in 1988.^[2]

He also appeared as a celebrity in the 1987 game show pilot for Money in the Blank.

Personal life

Cook was involved for a time with actress Alfre Woodard^{[citation needed]} before marrying his wife, Cara. Together they had two children, son Cameron Edward Cook (born September 17, 1984) and a second child, born in 1986.

Cook was an accomplished jazz flute player.

His eldest brother, Edward Cook (born December 22, 1947, died 1995) was a ballet dancer and choreographer in Europe.

Death

Cook died on June 11, 1988, from a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. His body is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1974	Abby	Tafa Hassan
1979	The Last Word	Officer Caine
1983	National Lampoon's Vacation	Man Giving Directions