Nathan Cook (actor)

Cook was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After graduation from Penn State University, he was hired as a member of the repertory company at Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky. ==Career==

After moving to Los Angeles in 1975, Cook was popularly known for roles on two television series: playing Milton Reese, a high school basketball player on The White Shadow (1978–1980), and portraying security head Billy Griffin on Hotel (1983–1988). Between these two, he had a shorter role (1981–1982) as Detective Virgil Brooks in Hill Street Blues. Cook made frequent appearances as a celebrity guest on the game shows Body Language, Super Password, and the $25,000 and $100,000 Pyramids. He helped a contestant win a $100,000 Pyramid Tournament of Champions in 1988. He also appeared as a celebrity in the 1987 game show pilot for Money in the Blank. ==Personal life==

Cook was involved for a time with actress Alfre Woodard before marrying his wife, Cara. Together they had two children, son Cameron Edward Cook (born September 17, 1984) and a second child, born in 1986. Cook was an accomplished jazz flute player. His eldest brother, Edward Cook (born December 22, 1947, died 1995) was a ballet dancer and choreographer in Europe. ==Death==

Cook was admitted to Santa Monica Hospital on June 11, 1988, where he was taken after complaining he was having trouble breathing. He died an hour later. Initial reports said he died from a severe allergic reaction to penicillin but a later report said that the cause of death was natural causes from acute laryngo epiglottis (infection of the voice box) that subsequently triggered cardiac arrest. There were no drugs in his system and that he had reportedly had a strep throat the previous week. His final TV appearance on the $100,000 Pyramid had yet to air in some markets at the time of his death but the decision was made by Bob Stewart Productions not to pull the episodes. His body is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. ==Filmography==