Nathan Cook (actor)

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, 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.

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.

Cook was admitted to Santa Monica Hospital on June 11, 1988, where he was taken after complaining he was having trouble breathing.^[3] He died an hour later from a severe allergic reaction to penicillin.

His body is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills.