Cook was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Thomas H. Cook (a social worker and former stand-up comic) and JoAnn "Jo-Jo" Gianelli (an Italian American cooking instructor and weaver). Cook attended school at Laurel Springs School and Minneapolis South High School. She began working as a print model at the age of 10, most notably in nationwide advertisements for Target and appearing on the boxes of Milk-Bone dog biscuits for medium sized dogs.
Career
At the age of fourteen, Cook began auditioning for acting work. Her modeling agency sent her to read for a short film, 26 Summer Street (1996). She first gained national attention when she was featured in a memorable This is Your Brain on Drugs public-service television advertisement. Consequently, Cook began her feature film career, debuting in The Baby-Sitters Club (1995) as shy 13 year old baby-sitter Mary Anne Spier. The movie was based on Ann M. Martin's book series of the same name.
Cook's two highest-profile lead roles to date have been in the films She's All That (1999) and Josie and the Pussycats (2001). Cook has also appeared in a number of independent films and in the 2005 television miniseries Into the West.
In 2000, she was the cover girl for the premier issue of FHM US (March/April issue). Cook also provided the voice for Chelsea Cunningham on the Kids' WB animated series Batman Beyond in the episode Last Resort and in the animated film Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker,.
In 2002, she was ranked #26 in Stuff magazine's "102 Sexiest Women in the World".
Cook has provided the voice of Tifa Lockhart in the video games Kingdom Hearts II and Dirge of Cerberus -Final Fantasy VII-, as well as the CG movie, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children. She also starred in the video for New Found Glory's 2002 single, "Dressed to Kill".
Cook's latest voice-over role is for the video game, Yakuza, where she voices the role of Reina, a beautiful barkeep.
She has appeared in Daniel Powter's Love You Lately.
Cook owns her own production company, called Ben's Sister Productions (in reference to her younger brother, an aspiring filmmaker).
Cook eventually stepped away from the spotlight to focus on spending time with friends and family. She later returned to mainstream films when she signed on to a new casting agency. Cook was later cast in a minor role in the big screen adaptation of Nancy Drew, the female lead in the independent sports drama The Final Season, and playing a small supporting lead in Blonde Ambition.
Personal life
Cook has dated actors Vincent Kartheiser, Ryan Reynolds, Shane West and Rider Strong. She is now married to actor Daniel Gillies.
Cook, a vegetarian[citation needed], lives mostly in Los Angeles, but frequently goes back to visit her family in Minnesota.
