Andrea Joy Cook, known as A.J. Cook, was born on July 22, 1978, in Oshawa, Canada
Andrea Joy Cook, known professionally as A.J. Cook, was born on July 22, 1978, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. She is best known for her role as Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau on the CBS crime drama "Criminal Minds" (2005–2020, 2022–).
Cook's early life was marked by a severe astigmatism that left her legally blind in the second grade. She wore contacts and thick glasses to correct her vision until a surgical lens implant in 2007 drastically improved her eyesight. A dancer from the age of four, Cook took jazz, tap, and ballet lessons and danced competitively for many years. She decided to pursue acting at the age of 16 and began her career with a McDonald's commercial in 1997.
Her feature film debut came in 1999 with "The Virgin Suicides," where she played one of the Lisbon sisters. She then starred in the TV series "Higher Ground" (2000), playing Shelby Merrick, an adolescent girl dealing with abuse and heartache at a wilderness school for struggling teens. Cook's other notable film credits include "Out Cold" (2001), "Ripper" (2001), "Final Destination 2" (2003), and "Tru Calling" (2003–2004).
Cook's role as JJ on "Criminal Minds" became her most iconic, and she directed several episodes of the series, including episodes in Season 14 and "Criminal Minds: Evolution" on Paramount+. After the show wrapped in 2020, she took a break from acting but returned for the revival in 2022.
In her personal life, Cook married Nathan Andersen in 2001, and they have two sons, Mekhai and Phoenix. Her TV sons on "Criminal Minds" are played by her real-life sons. Cook is known for her laid-back lifestyle, enjoying time at the beach and staying active with her family.
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