A. J. Cook (b. 1978)

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Biography

Andrea Joy Cook is a Canadian actress. She is best known for her role as Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer "JJ" Jareau on the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds. Cook has also appeared in The Virgin Suicides (1999), Higher Ground (2000), Ripper (2001), Out Cold (2001), Final Destination 2 (2003), and Tru Calling (2003–2004).

Timeline

The story of A. J. Cook, told in moments.

1978 Birth

Born Andrea Joy Cook in Oshawa, Ontario. Declared legally blind in second grade due to severe astigmatism. Wore thick "Coke bottle" glasses through childhood.

Did being legally blind in second grade shape your determination? Were the thick glasses a barrier or a motivator? What did you see that others couldn't?

2005 Event

Cast as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau on Criminal Minds. She'd keep the role for 15 seasons across nearly two decades.

Did you know Criminal Minds would define your career for two decades? What is it about JJ that kept you coming back? Is fifteen seasons a blessing or a box?

2010 Event

Let go from Criminal Minds in a cost-cutting move. Fan backlash was so intense that CBS reversed the decision and brought her back the next season.

How did it feel being let go in a cost-cutting move? Was the fan backlash that brought you back surprising? Did CBS's reversal change your relationship with the show?

2022 Event

Returned for Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount+, reprising JJ once more. By then she'd played the character longer than any other role in CBS crime drama history.

Does playing one character longer than anyone in CBS crime drama history feel like an achievement? Is JJ still you or have you become her? What would you do if JJ ended tomorrow?

Artifacts (2)

Decatomidea cooki

Nearctic

28 Jan 1884 · 1

Smithsonian View

Birds of Michigan. illustrated by A. J. Cook

Cook, Albert John 1842-1916

1893 · 148 p. illus. 25 cm

Smithsonian View

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