Donald Cook - Actor Profile

Donald Cook

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 26, 1901
Birth Place: Portland, Oregon

About 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.

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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.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".

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