Canadian actress A. J. Cook was born Andrea Joy Cook on the 22nd of July 1978 in Oshawa, Ontario. She was raised in Whitby by her father Mike who is a school teacher and her mother, Sandra, who is a psychiatrist. She grew up with her other siblings Angela, Nathan and Paul. She was raised as a Mormon or a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and only does roles that are not against her belief and the teachings of the Mormon Church.

As a child she took up tap dancing, ballet and jazz lessons. She had been in many dance competitions but it was not until she reached 17 years of age before she decided to try acting. The film Dirty Dancing starring Patrick Swayze inspired her to be an actress.

Her first acting job was in the 1997 commercial of Mc Donalds. Then she appeared as a guest star in Goosebumps, the television series. This was followed by two movies made for television, the In His Father’s Shoes and Elvis Meets Nixon. Her first film appearance was in the movie The Virgin Suicides, in 1999. She was also seen in High Ground. She had a recurring role in that television series.

In 2000 she appeared in the movie made for television The Spiral Staircase. Then she was next seen in Out Cold. Then she landed a role in Final Destination 2 as Kimberly Corman. This is her most notable role since. However she is gaining recognition in her role as Jennifer Jareau in the drama series Criminal Minds. She plays a public relations liaison.

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