Biography
Donald Cook (1901–1961) was an American stage and film actor. Born in Portland, Oregon, he originally studied farming and worked for a lumber company before joining the Kansas Community Players, which led to stage work. He made his Broadway debut in 1926 and appeared in productions until 1959, including a 1948 revival of Private Lives and a long run in Claudia.
His film roles include Mike Powers in The Public Enemy (1931), Ned Stevens in Baby Face (1933), Don Felipe de Castillo in Viva Villa! (1934), and Steve Baker in Show Boat (1936). He was the first actor to portray Ellery Queen on screen in The Spanish Cape Mystery (1935). Cook received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star for his contributions to motion pictures.
He was married to Princess Gioia Tasca di Cuto from 1937 until his death from a heart attack in New Haven, Connecticut.
