Ben Cook (actor)

Ben Cook
Born Benjamin Tyler Cook
December 11, 1997
Eden, North Carolina
Occupation Actor, singer, dancer
Years active 2007–present

Benjamin Tyler Cook (born December 11, 1997) is an American actor, singer and dancer, born in Eden, North Carolina.

He is best known for his musical theatre roles in Billy Elliot the Musical, including "Tall Boy" at Broadway's, Imperial Theatre and "Michael" and "Billy" in the National Tour of the production. He also appeared on Broadway in Ragtime and has performed at Ford's Theatre and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.[1]

On television, he has appeared as "Young Jack" to Alec Baldwin's "Jack Donaghy", on the NBC sitcom, 30 Rock; in the episode entitled, "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish",[2] as well as appearances in the episode of the HBO series Veep, entitled "The Choice"[3] and "Chapter 27", as Walt, in House of Cards.[4]

In 2012, he received a Helen Hayes Award nomination for his work in the role of "Billy" in Billy Elliot the Musical.[5]

His current work is as "Race" in the First National tour of Newsies the Musical.[6]

Career

Theatre

Theatre
Date Title Role Theatre Note
November 16, 2007 -
December 30, 2007
A Christmas Carol
Tiny Tim[7]
Ford's Theatre
Washington D.C.
February 28, 2008 -
April 13, 2008
Macbeth
Young Macduff[8]
Folger Shakespeare Library
November -
December 2008
A Christmas Carol
Urchin, Ignorance, Turkey Boy
Ford's Theatre
February -
April 2009
The Heavens Are Hung in Black
Tad Lincoln
April 18, 2009 -
May 17, 2009
Ragtime
Understudy: Edgar (The little boy)[9]
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
November 15, 2009 -
January 10, 2010
Understudy: Edgar (The little boy)[10][11]
Neil Simon Theatre
Broadway
March 12, 2010 -
April 4, 2010
The Golden Age
The Page[12]
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington D.C.
July 7, 2010 -
October 14, 2011
Billy Elliot the Musical
Tall/Posh Boy,
Understudy: Michael[13]
Imperial Theatre
Broadway
November 3, 2011 -
January 22, 2012
Michael[14]
National Tour

June 30, 2012 -
Billy[15]
October 11, 2014 -
current
Newsies the Musical
Race, Ensemble, Understudy: Crutchie[16]
National Tour

Television

Television
Year Title Role Episode
2010
30 Rock
Young Jack[7]
"Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish"
2013
House of Cards
Heather Dunbar's son[7]
""Chapter 27"
2014
Veep
Walt[7]
""The Choice"

Awards

Theatre
Year Award Category Result Production
2012
Helen Hayes Award
"Outstanding Supporting Performer, Non-Resident Production"
 Nominated[5]
Billy Elliot the Musical

References

  1. ↑ Benjamin Cook Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. 2001-2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish. IMDB. 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ Ben on HBO's "Veep" Glenn Cook: Words, Photos. 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2015
  4. ↑ Ben Cook on “House of Cards”, SOUND OF MUSIC Concert Sneak Peek, and more! Kids on Tour. 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2015
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lehman, Daniel. "Helen Hayes Award Nominees Announced". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  6. ↑ Disney NEWSIES Official Site. Cast & Creative. Cast. 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Ponick, Terry (January 9, 2012). "Ben Cook – talented young DC area performer is outstanding supporting player in Billy Elliot". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  8. ↑ "Macbeth Run Extended at Folger Theatre". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "RAGTIME to Be Filmed January 8 for Lincoln Center Archives". Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  10. ↑ "Photo Flash: RAGTIME Plays Final Show on Broadway January 10". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  11. ↑ "Benjamin Cook". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  12. ↑ "Walter Bobbie Directs GOLDEN AGE At The Kennedy Center 3/12-4/4". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "Cast list for Billy Elliot at the Imperial Theatre". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  14. ↑ Katzarova, Ekaterina (January 22, 2012). "Billy Elliot comes to Cincy". Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  15. ↑ "Ben Cook and Noah Parets Join BILLY ELLIOT's National Tour". May 19, 2013. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
  16. ↑ "Seize the Day!: National Tour of Disney's Newsies Launches Today". October 11, 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2015.

External links