
Donald Cook
ActingAbout Donald Cook
Donald Cook (September 26, 1901 – October 1, 1961) was an American stage and film actor. Born in Portland, Oregon, he originally studied farming but later started business with a lumber company. He joined the Kansas Community Players and through this received an offer of stage work. He started screen work in "shorts" before going on to films. Cook was known for his portrayal of Mike Powers in the film The Public Enemy. He also was one of the first film actors to portray Ellery Queen, in The Spanish Cape Mystery. He played opposite Helen Morgan in the 1936 film adaptation of Show Boat was one of the suspects in the Philo Vance mystery The Casino Murder Case, starred as an heroic immigration inspector in Ellis Island. Other film credits include The Man Who Played God, Our Very Own and The Penguin Pool Murder (1932). Cook made his Broadway debut in 1926 as Donn Cook, and his New York theatrical career continued until 1959. His credits included a 1948 revival of Private Lives. Cook was married to Princess Gioia Tasca di Cuto from 1937 until his death from a heart attack in New Haven. Description above from the Wikipedia article Donald Cook, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Donald Cook Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Donald Cook reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Donald Cook's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 56% of Donald Cook's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Two Wise Maids, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Donald Cook Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Donald Cook's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Donald Cook has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | The Munsters' Scary Little Christmas | Hunchback of Notre Dame | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | Our Very Own | Fred Macaulay | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Patrick the Great | Pat Donahue Sr. | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Blonde Ransom | Duke Randall | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Here Come the Co-Eds | Dean Larry Benson | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Bowery to Broadway | Dennis Dugan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Murder in the Blue Room | Steve | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Freedom Comes High | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Circus Girl | Charles Jerome | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Two Wise Maids | Bruce Arnold | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Beware Of Ladies | George Martin | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Can This Be Dixie? | Longstreet Butler | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Ellis Island | Gary Curtis | Average | Similar → |
| 1936 | Show Boat | Steve Baker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | The Leavenworth Case | Dr. Truman Harwell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Confidential | FBI Agent Dave Elliott | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Spanish Cape Mystery | Ellery Queen | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Here Comes the Band | Don Trevor | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Murder in the Fleet | Lieutenant Commander David Tucker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Motive for Revenge | Barry Webster | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Ladies Love Danger | - | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Casino Murder Case | Lynn Llewellyn | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Night Is Young | Toni Berngruber | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Fugitive Lady | Jack Howard | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Jealousy | Mark Lambert | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Most Precious Thing in Life | Bob Kelsey | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Viva Villa! | Don Felipe de Castillo | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Whirlpool | Bob | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | The 9th Guest | Jim Daley | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Long Lost Father | Bill Strong | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Fog | Wentworth Brown | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Fury of the Jungle | 'Lucky' Allen | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Baby Face | Ned Stevens | Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Jennie Gerhardt | Lester Kane | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Kiss Before the Mirror | Maria's Lover | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Private Jones | Lt. John Gregg | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1933 | Frisco Jenny | Dan Reynolds | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Penguin Pool Murder | Philip Seymour | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Conquerors | Warren Lennox | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Trial of Vivienne Ware | John Sutherland | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Heart of New York | Milton | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Man Who Played God | Harold Van Adam | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Taxi! | Actor in Movie Clip (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Safe in Hell | Carl Bergen | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Mad Genius | Fedor Ivanoff | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Side Show | Joe Palmer | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Party Husband | Horace Purcell | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Public Enemy | Mike Powers | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 11: 'Practice Shots' | - | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Unfaithful | Terry Houston | Hit | Similar → |
Donald Cook - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Donald Cook?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Donald Cook is "Two Wise Maids" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Donald Cook acted in?
Donald Cook has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Donald Cook?
Other notable films include "Bowery to Broadway", "The Trial of Vivienne Ware", and "Private Jones".




