Who Is A. J. Cook? Age, Biography and Wiki
A. J. Cook, born on July 22, 1978, in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, is a talented actress best known for her role as Jennifer "JJ" Jareau on the popular TV series Criminal Minds. As of 2025, she is 46 years old and continues to make waves in the entertainment industry. With a captivating presence on-screen, A. J. Cook has built a versatile career, transitioning from television to film and even producing.
| Occupation | Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 22, 1978 |
| Age | 46 Years |
| Birth Place | Oshawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | Canada |
Popularity
A. J. Cook's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
A. J. Cook stands at an impressive height of 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). She maintains a balanced and healthy physique, weighing approximately 130 pounds (59 kg). Her body measurements are estimated to be 34-24-34 inches, showcasing her fit and toned figure.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
A. J. Cook is happily married to Nathan Andersen, whom she met during her college years. The couple tied the knot in 2001 and shares two sons, Mekhai and Brendon. While Cook often shares glimpses of her family life on social media, she tends to keep details about their lives private, emphasizing the importance of family in her life.
Cook's first job was in a McDonald's commercial in 1997. She graduated to series work with a guest role on the television series Goosebumps and parts in two television movies, In His Father's Shoes and Elvis Meets Nixon. Cook launched her feature film career as one of five suicidal Lisbon sisters in 1999's The Virgin Suicides.
Also that year, she took a starring role in the TV series Higher Ground, in which Cook played Shelby Merrick, an adolescent girl dealing with abuse and heartache at a wilderness school for struggling teens. Higher Ground lasted one season, ending with a romance between Shelby and Hayden Christensen's character Scott.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, A. J. Cook's net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. Her earnings primarily stem from her acting career, including her long-standing role on Criminal Minds, various movie projects, and endorsements. Cook's financial acumen has led her to make wise investments, contributing to her impressive net worth.
Beginning in September 2005, she starred as Jennifer "J.J." Jareau in the CBS drama Criminal Minds.
On June 14, 2010, it was announced that her contract option would not be picked up for season six as a series regular reportedly due to budget cuts on the show, but she returned for two episodes to wrap up her character's storyline due to thousands of letters and petitions written to the show's producers.
She also returned for one episode for the departure of Paget Brewster from the series. Former executive producer of Criminal Minds, Ed Bernero, later claimed that CBS executives called him one day and asked him to get rid of Cook and Brewster.
Brewster also mentioned in a separate interview that someone from CBS called Bernero and said they wanted "new women" which led to their firing. She said that it was not due to budget cuts as their replacement was paid twice what they were paid. In April 2011, it was reported that Cook had signed to reappear for two more seasons of the show.
In 2013, Cook and her Criminal Minds co-star Kirsten Vangsness managed to negotiate salary raises but not parity after years of being paid less than half the salary of fellow co-stars Matthew Gray Gubler and Shemar Moore. In 2017, both women held out on signing new contracts as they sought pay parity with Gubler.
They eventually succeeded and closed new deals to return. Cook would continue to star in the series until it ended in 2020 after 15 seasons. After the show wrapped, Cook decided to take a break from acting and in 2022, she guest-starred on the show 9-1-1. It was also announced that she would be returning for the Criminal Minds revival.
Career, Business and Investments
A. J. Cook's career took off in the late 1990s, with notable performances in movies such as The Virgin Suicides (1999) and Out Cold (2001). However, her breakout role came when she was cast in Criminal Minds, a role she held for over 15 seasons. Aside from acting, she is also involved in producing and has shown an interest in various business ventures. Cook has invested in sustainable clothing brands and is an advocate for environmental causes, reflecting her commitment to both her craft and the planet.
Social Network
A. J. Cook is quite active on social media, where she engages with her fans and shares insights into her life and career. You can follow her on:
- Instagram: @ajcook
- Twitter: @ajcook
- Facebook: A. J. Cook Official
Cook was declared legally blind in the second grade because of severe astigmatism, but wore contacts and thick "Coke bottle" glasses to correct her vision. Talking about her childhood, Cook recalled how other kids were "cruel" and that she "really couldn't see" and "everything looked like a smear of colour with no shapes".
She also said that at the time of her diagnosis, she was not doing well in school. At first, people thought she had a learning disability because she could not read. In reality, she could not see the board, which affected her ability to recognize letters and know the sounds they made. In 2007, a surgical lens implant corrected the impairment.
Education
A. J. Cook attended the University of Alberta, where she studied dance and drama. This foundation in the arts helped shape her skills and prepare her for a successful acting career. Her academic background, combined with her passion for performance, has contributed to her growth as an artist over the years.
