Ben Cook (actor)
Benjamin Tyler Cook (born December 11, 1997)[1][2] is an American actor, singer and dancer, known for his work across stage and screen.
Benjamin Cook | |
|---|---|
Ben Cook in 2016 | |
| Born | Benjamin Tyler Cook December 11, 1997 Eden, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | Professional Performing Arts School |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2007–present |
Cook has appeared on the Broadway stage in Ragtime, Billy Elliot the Musical (for which he was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award), Tuck Everlasting, Mean Girls, West Side Story, and Illinoise. He has also performed in two Broadway national tours, Billy Elliot the Musical and Newsies the Musical, and appeared on television in episodes of 30 Rock, House of Cards, Veep, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and in the HBO film Paterno. He most recently appeared as a Jet in the 2021 film version of West Side Story and as Henry in the HBO Max horror series Pretty Little Liars (2022–present), a reboot of the original 2010s series.
Early life edit
Cook was born in Eden, North Carolina, and grew up in New York City and Lorton, Virginia.[3] He is the youngest child of Jill and Glenn Cook. His mother is the executive director of the American School Counsellor Association.[4] His father is a photographer, blogger, and publishing consultant.[5]
At the age of seven, Cook began studying dance at the Metropolitan School of the Arts in northern Virginia.[6] He attended the Professional Performing Arts School in New York City for middle school and during high school.[7]
Career edit
Musical theatre edit
Cook performed in several productions as a child in Washington, D.C., including at Ford's Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.[6] He made his Broadway debut at the age of eleven in Ragtime at the Neil Simon Theatre, understudying and performing the role of Edgar (The Little Boy).[6][8] His next Broadway role was Tall Boy in Billy Elliot the Musical at the Imperial Theatre, and played the roles of Michael, then Billy in the North American National Tour of the production. His final tour performance as "Billy" was in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 19, 2013.[9]
From the age of 16, he toured for a year and a half in the role of Race and occasionally performed the role of Crutchie as the understudy in the first national tour of Newsies the Musical.[6][10] In January 2016, after over 500 performances, Cook left that tour and joined the original Broadway cast of Tuck Everlasting. Previews began in March 2016,[11] and the show closed the same May.[12]
Cook joined the ensemble of the musical adaptation of the film Mean Girls. Its pre-Broadway tryout began in October 2017 at the National Theatre, in Washington D.C.[13][14] The show premiered on Broadway in April 2018.[8] He was set to appear in the 2020 Broadway revival of West Side Story as Riff, the leader of the Jets,[15] but he left the production after being injured in a preview performance.[16]
Film and television edit
On television, Cook appeared as young Jack on 30 Rock, in the episode "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish" (2010);[17] and as Walt in the episode of the HBO series Veep titled "The Choice" (2014).[18] He played Heather Dunbar's son in the episode "Chapter 27" of the Netflix series House of Cards (2013).[19] On Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, he played Adam Turner in the episode "Great Expectations" (2017).[20]
Cook reprised his role of Race in Newsies in the film adaptation of the musical, which received a limited release in February 2017[21][22] and later on Netflix before moving to Disney+.[23][24][25] In 2018, he appeared in the HBO film Paterno.[26]
He also appeared in the 2021 film adaptation of West Side Story as Mouthpiece, a member of the Jets.[27]
Credits edit
Theatre edit
| Theatre | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Title | Role | Theatre | Note |
| November 16, 2007 – December 30, 2007 | A Christmas Carol | Tiny Tim[28] | Ford's Theatre | Washington D.C. |
| February 28, 2008 – April 13, 2008 | Macbeth | Young Macduff[29] | Folger Shakespeare Library | |
| December 2, 2008 – December 28, 2008 | A Christmas Carol | Urchin, Ignorance, Turkey Boy | Ford's Theatre | |
| February 3, 2009 – March 8, 2009 | The Heavens Are Hung in Black | Tad Lincoln[30] | Lansburgh Theatre | |
| April 18, 2009 – May 17, 2009 | Ragtime | Understudy: Edgar (The little boy)[31] | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | |
| November 15, 2009 – January 10, 2010 | Understudy: Edgar (The little boy)[32][33] | Neil Simon Theatre | Broadway | |
| March 12, 2010 – April 4, 2010 | The Golden Age | The Page[34] | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | Washington D.C. |
| July 7, 2010 – October 14, 2011 | Billy Elliot the Musical | Tall/Posh Boy, Understudy: Michael[35] | Imperial Theatre | Broadway |
| November 3, 2011 – January 22, 2012 | Michael[36] | National Tour | National Tour | |
| June 30, 2012 – May 19, 2013 | Billy[37] | |||
| October 11, 2014 – January 31, 2016 | Newsies the Musical | Race, Understudy: Crutchie[38] | ||
| Previews began: March 31, 2016 Opened on: April 26, 2016[39][40] Closed on: May 29, 2016[41][42] | Tuck Everlasting | Ensemble, Understudy: Jesse Tuck, Hugo[1] | Broadhurst Theatre | Broadway |
| October 31, 2017– December 3, 2017 | Mean Girls | Ensemble[1] | National Theatre (Washington, D.C.) | Pre-Broadway Out of Town Run |
| Previews began: March 12, 2018 Opened on: April 8, 2018 Cook's last performance: April 8, 2019[43] | August Wilson Theatre | Broadway | ||
| Previews began: December 10, 2019 Left production on: January 5, 2020 | West Side Story | Riff | Broadway Theatre | |
| June 23, 2023– July 2, 2023 | Illinoise | Will/Player | Bard SummerScape | Regional |
| January 28, 2024– February 18, 2024 | Carl/Player | Chicago Shakespeare Theater | ||
| March 2, 2024– March 26, 2024 | Park Avenue Armory | Off-Broadway | ||
| April 24, 2024– August 10, 2024 | St. James Theatre | Broadway | ||
Film edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | West Side Story | Mouthpiece | |
| 2023 | Happiness for Beginners | Beckett |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 30 Rock | Young Jack Donaghy[44] | Episode: "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish" | NBC |
| 2013 | House of Cards | Heather Dunbar's son[45] | Episode: "Chapter 27" | Netflix |
| 2014 | Veep | Walt[46] | Episode: "The Choice" | HBO |
| 2017 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Adam Turner[47] | Episode: "Great Expectations" | NBC |
| 2018 | Paterno | Aaron Fisher | Television film | HBO |
| 2022 | The First Lady | Steven Ford | Recurring; 5 episodes | Showtime[48] |
| 2022 | Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin | Henry Nelson | Recurring; 9 episodes | HBO Max[49] |
| 2023 | FBI: Most Wanted | Luke Spottiswood | Episode: "Black Mirror" | CBS |
Awards edit
| Year | Award | Category | Role | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Helen Hayes Awards | Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production | Billy Elliot the Musical | Nominated | |
2022 | Critics' Choice Awards | Best Acting Ensemble | West Side Story | Nominated | |
2024 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Illinoise | Pending |
References edit
- ^ a b c Benjamin Cook. Performer, Playbill, 2016; retrieved July 31, 2019.
- ^ Benjamin Cook Theatre Credits, BroadwayWorld.com, 2016; retrieved February 12, 2015.
- ^ Growing Up "Normal" January 10, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, glenncook.virb.com; retrieved October 18, 2015.
- ^ About ASCA. Contact Us May 16, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, schoolcounselor.org; retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ^ About Me. A Biography in 178 Words June 26, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, glenncook.virb.com; retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Russo, Gianluca. BWW Interview: Benjamin Cook of Tuck Everlasting Talks Dance and Broadway, Broadway World, March 11, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ "Lorton's Ben Cook, 14, takes starring role in 'Billy Elliot' national touring production - Metro Arts". metropolitanarts.org. January 29, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
- ^ a b Benjamin Cook, Internet Broadway Database; retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ "Meet Billy Elliot: Ben Cook", TheSkyKid.com; retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ Disney NEWSIES official website October 8, 2015, at the Wayback Machine; retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ Tuck Everlasting Begins Broadway Previews Today Robert Viagas. Playbill. March 31, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2016
- ^ Viagas, Robert. Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Closes Today, Playbill, May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016
- ^ Mean Girls musical officially finds its cast, Marc Snetiker. Entertainment Weekly. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017
- ^ Mean Girls Musical Finds Its Plastics in Taylor Louderman and Ashley Park; Additional Casting Announced, Ryan McPhee. Playbill. July 27, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2017
- ^ "'West Side Story' Broadway Revival Cast Unveiled (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
- ^ Meyer, Dan. "Dharon E. Jones Set to Take Over as Riff in West Side Story on Broadway", Playbill, January 9, 2010
- ^ "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish", imdb.com; retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ Ben on HBO's "Veep" March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, glenncook.virb.com; retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Ben Cook on 'House of Cards'”, kids-on-tour.net Kids on Tour; retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ THE KING AND I Press Coverage, Ben Cook on Law and Order: SVU, and more! Emily Lang. Kids On Tour. October 19, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Disney Theatrical Productions Presents Disney's Newsies The Broadway Musical, Fathom Events. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ "Newsies" Movie Shooting Soon Glenn Cook: Words, Photos. August 10, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ "Horrible News: 'Beauty and the Beast' Is Leaving Netflix Next Month". Glamour. February 20, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ Carly (July 1, 2020). "The Musical Theater Fan's Guide to Disney+". D23. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ "The 14 best live-action musicals on Disney+". Mashable. May 13, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
- ^ Toby, Mekeisha Madden. "TV Review: Paterno With Al Pacino on HBO", Variety, April 6, 2018. Retrieved July 31, 2019
- ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (April 16, 2019). "Tony Nominee Mike Faist, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Maddie Ziegler, More Join Steven Spielberg's West Side Story Movie". Playbill. Retrieved April 16, 2019.
- ^ Ponick, Terry (January 9, 2012). "Ben Cook – talented young DC area performer is outstanding supporting player in Billy Elliot". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Macbeth Run Extended at Folger Theatre". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ FORD’S THEATRE REOPENS WITH A WORLD PREMIERE OF THE HEAVENS ARE HUNG IN BLACK Fords Theatre Heavens Release, January 30, 2009; retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Diamond, Robert. "RAGTIME to Be Filmed January 8 for Lincoln Center Archives". Broadwayworld.com. Retrieved May 30, 2012.
- ^ "Photo Flash: RAGTIME Plays Final Show on Broadway January 10". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Benjamin Cook". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Walter Bobbie Directs GOLDEN AGE At The Kennedy Center 3/12-4/4". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ . Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ "Meet Billy Elliot: Ben Cook". BETM. October 20, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
- ^ "Ben Cook and Noah Parets Join BILLY ELLIOT's National Tour". May 19, 2013. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
- ^ "Seize the Day!: National Tour of Disney's Newsies Launches Today". October 11, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
- ^ "Broadway Premiere of 'Tuck Everlasting' Sets Complete Cast", Broadway.com, January 15, 2016; retrieved February 9, 2016.
- ^ Tuck Everlasting Opens on Broadway Tonight Robert Viagas. Playbill. April 26, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2016
- ^ "Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Posts Closing Notice" May 26, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Robert Viagas. Playbill, May 24, 2016
- ^ Broadway Musical Tuck Everlasting Closes Today Robert Viagas. Playbill. May 29, 2016. Retrieved May 29, 2016
- ^ Cook, Ben. "@bentylercook instagram". @bentylercook instagram. Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish 30 Rock. Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Chapter 27 House of Cards. The Choice. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ The Choice Veep. The Choice. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Great Expectations Law & Order SVU. Great Expectations. IMDB. 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016
- ^ Petski, Denise (March 10, 2021). "'The First Lady': Aya Cash, Jake Picking, Ben Cook Among 8 Cast In Showtime Anthology Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (September 1, 2021). "'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin': Carson Rowland, Jordan Gonzalez Among 5 To Recur In HBO Max Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ Lehman, Daniel. "Helen Hayes Award Nominees Announced". Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 23, 2024). "Dead Outlaw Leads 2024 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations; Read the Full List". Playbill.
External links edit
- Ben Cook at the Internet Broadway Database
- Ben Cook at IMDb