A.J. Cook Biography: Husband, Age, Kids, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows

Andrea Joy Cook, known professionally as A.J. Cook, is a Canadian actress celebrated for her portrayal of Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer “JJ” Jareau on the CBS crime drama Criminal Minds (2005–2020, 2022–).

She has also starred in films such as The Virgin Suicides (1999), Final Destination 2 (2003), and Out Cold (2001). Her work extends to directing, with episodes of Criminal Minds and its revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, under her belt.

Cook’s compelling performances and dedication to her craft have made her a respected figure in both television and film.

Profile

• Full Name: Andrea Joy Cook
• Stage Name: A.J. Cook
• Born: July 22, 1978
• Age: 46 years old
• Birthplace: Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Actress, Director
• Height: 1.69 m
• Parents: Mike Cook, Sandra Cook
• Siblings: Nathan Cook, Paul Cook, Angela Cook
• Spouse: Nathan Andersen (m. 2001)
• Children: Mekhai Allan Andersen, Phoenix Sky Andersen
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

Andrea Joy Cook was born on July 22, 1978, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. She grew up in nearby Whitby with her parents, Mike Cook, a teacher, and Sandra Cook, who worked as a psychiatrist. She has three siblings: Nathan, Paul, and Angela.

Cook attended Anderson Collegiate Vocational Institute in Whitby and later enrolled at Utah Valley University, where she met her husband, Nathan Andersen, in a film class. Of English, Scottish, and Northern Irish descent, she was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but is no longer a practicing member.

Career

AJ Cook began her career as a competitive dancer, training in jazz, tap, and ballet from age four, which helped her overcome shyness. At 16, she shifted to acting, landing her first role in a 1997 McDonald’s commercial, followed by guest spots on Goosebumps and TV movies like In His Father’s Shoes.

Her feature film debut came in 1999 as Mary Lisbon in Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides, and that same year, she starred as Shelby Merrick in the TV series Higher Ground, earning early recognition for her emotional depth.

Cook’s career gained momentum with lead roles in horror and thriller films, including Ripper (2001), Wishmaster 3 (2001), and Final Destination 2 (2003), where she played Kimberly Corman. She also appeared in Out Cold (2001) and had a recurring role as Lindsay Walker in Tru Calling (2003–2004).

In 2005, she joined Criminal Minds as Jennifer “JJ” Jareau, a role that became her signature, though she faced a brief exit in 2010 due to reported budget cuts. Fan outcry led to her return as a regular, and she continued until the show’s end in 2020, also directing an episode in Season 14.

Recently, Cook reprised her role as JJ in Criminal Minds: Evolution on Paramount, directing episode 1608 in the series. After a brief acting hiatus post-2020 to focus on family, she guest-starred in 9-1-1 (2022) and starred in films like Back Fork (2019) alongside her Criminal Minds co-star Josh Stewart.

Her work as a Proactiv spokeswoman and appearances in Maxim magazine (2014) highlight her broader media presence. Cook’s influence endures through her versatile performances and commitment to meaningful roles.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @ajcook
• Twitter Handle: @ajcookofficial

Personal Life

AJ Cook married Nathan Andersen on August 3, 2001, after meeting him at Utah Valley University. The couple, who relocated to Los Angeles to support Cook’s career, has two sons: Mekhai Allan (born 2008) and Phoenix Sky (born 2015), both of whom have appeared as JJ’s sons, Henry and Michael LaMontagne, on Criminal Minds.

Filmography

• The Virgin Suicides (1999) – Mary Lisbon
• Higher Ground (2000) – Shelby Merrick
• Ripper (2001) – Molly Keller
• Out Cold (2001) – Jenny
• Final Destination 2 (2003) – Kimberly Corman
• Tru Calling (2003–2004) – Lindsay Walker
• Criminal Minds (2005–2020, 2022–) – Jennifer “JJ” Jareau
• Least Among Saints (2012) – Cheryl
• Wer (2013) – Kate Moore
• Back Fork (2019) – Nida
• 9-1-1 (2022) – Guest Star

Net Worth

AJ Cook’s estimated net worth is around $5 million USD. Her wealth primarily stems from her long-running role on Criminal Minds and its revival, Criminal Minds: Evolution, supplemented by film roles, directing credits, and endorsements, including her work as a Proactiv spokeswoman.