Minneapolis native Rachael Leigh Cook began her career as a model at the tender age of 10, gracing Milk-Bone(R) boxes and Target(R) ads nationwide. She also appeared in a now-famous anti-drug TV spot in which, armed with a frying pan, she bashed her way through a kitchen to show the disastrous effects of heroin. At 14, her modeling agency sent her to read for a short film (26 Summer Street) and changed the course of her young life--from that moment on, Cook was hooked on acting. When she reached L.A. later that year, Cook bypassed the wannabe stage and nailed her first audition (for the part of a budding entrepreneur in The Baby-Sitters Club). She returned to theaters three months later in the Jonathan Taylor Thomas vehicle Tom and Huck, then filled her calendar with appearances in independent and made-for-TV movies. She divided her time between Minneapolis and Tinseltown, shuttling from school events to movie shoots with her mother in tow. Cook's starlet status crystallized in 1999, when she starred opposite Freddie Prinze Jr. in the Pygmalion retelling She's All That. Her on-screen transformation from ugly duckling to ravishing beauty scored several teen-oriented awards and made Cook a hot commodity in Hollywood. She signed for a handful of plum follow-up roles, including a troubled adolescent in Sylvester Stallone's Get Carter, a frontier gal in Texas Rangers, and the caterwauling lead in the live-action version of Josie and the Pussycats. Cook now lives primarily in Los Angeles, but she returns home frequently to visit with friends and family. Her father, Tom (a former stand-up comic), is a social worker in the public school system, and her younger brother, Ben, is an aspiring filmmaker.
Josie and the Pussycats (2001): $1,500,000
Was a print model for 5 years before becoming an actress. Is a vegetarian. Was a student of the Laurel Springs School, a school for young actors who can't attend a more regular school due to time commitments. Was in a memorable anti-drug commercial where she smashes an egg with a frying pan ("this is your brain on heroin") and proceeds to trash the room with the frying pan ("this is your family, friends, career, etc."). Arguably one of the few effective anti-drug spots ever made. Owns her own production company called Ben's Sister Productions. Attended Minneapolis South High School, the same school as actor Josh Hartnett. Dated Boy Meets World star Rider Strong. Played the younger version of Parker Posey's character in The House of Yes. Posey plays the villain in Josie and the Pussycats. Noisy underground British artist 'Firexit' has created two songs especially for Rachael Leigh Cook. The two songs are called 'This is for Rachael Leigh Cook' and a rare acoustic track called 'Dear Rachael'. In a interview, Gareth Gerrard (aka Firexit) was asked about the songs, he replied "Rachael is everything, I love her very much". Was recommended to the producers of Dawson's Creek by Texas Rangers co-star James Van Der Beek. She guest starred with him in 3 episodes. In early 2001, she met actor Ryan Reynolds and the two immediately hit it off. However, she had to fly to England shortly after to film Blow Dry. Ryan ended up suprising her, pulling out of his filming schedule and following her all the way to London. It was a success and they ended up dating for a year. Engaged to actor Daniel Gillies. [December 2003] Her mother was a cooking instructor and is currently a weaver. There is a Minneapolis rock and blues band called "Budding Hollywood Starlet" that is named in honor of her and other budding Hollywood starlets. Ranked #26 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World" (2002). She's All That was the second time she had worked in a film with Freddie Prinze Jr., although in their first project together, The House of Yes, they shared no scenes together. Her mother is of Italian ancestry After reading 'R. Lee Fleming Jr''s script for She's All That Rachael began to like the storyline more and more, soon after she was asked to play the role of Laney Boggs. She decided to take the lead role. Was considered for the role of Rogue in the X-Men movies but turned the part down due to having work with CGI costumes and effects. The role then went to Anna Paquin, Rachael's fellow co-star from She's All That. Her guitar teachers were Fast Freddie & Phil X. Owns a Sports utility vehicle. Had little interest in modeling by the time she was 15 and tried to focus more on school of which she became fonder. Has two cats at home in Minnesota named Beau and Skippy. Has a toothbrush collection at her parents home in Minneapolis. Did a school senior paper entitled "Politics, Shmolotics, and 10 other reasons I'll never be President". Her dream role is Kate Nolan from "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn".