TRISH COOK An American Dream

BY MARCI CHORPASH

Born in a small town near Cincinnati, Ohio, Trish Cook persevered to make her dreams come true.

Today she is an accomplished Producer, Actor and Writer with many TV and Film projects to her credit.

What can you tell us about your background?

I grew up in Ohio; but coming from a military family, we relocated a lot. When we moved to New Jersey I went to Manhattan to study at The Stella Adler Conservatory, The Actors Studio and more. There were really tough teachers, as well as amazing and talented people. I struggled there. I failed a lot; but refused to quit, I wasn’t brought up that way. After many auditions I was cast in a few commercials, Off Broadway Shows, and the New York Soaps. I was so young and just wanted to improve.

My first real movie role was in an independent film entitled “The Messenger”. It was taken to the Cannes Film Festival for distribution. I had ten callbacks for that role! My second film was for a small part in “Working Girl”. I remember it was freezing cold because they shot the scenes on The Staten Island Ferry, during Winter. I was so nervous and naive, I almost got on the wrong ferry. Next, was a tiny part in “Ghostbusters 2”. At the rehearsal, freezing again, in a brand new coat, the great and funny Howard Ramos “slimed me” with green goo!

Trish Cook

When I arrived in LA I booked a movie the first week. It was an adorable Sid Melton comedy; Frank Sinatra Jr. was directing. Final editing never happened because Sid passed away. After that, I worked as Director of Operations for MMG. We made three A-list films: “Dark Tide", “13”, and “The Experiment”.

I really wanted to create family films, so I moved onto the Paramount Studio Lot, as an Independent Producer. With my longtime colleague, CEO of Minds Eye Entertainment, we made a wonderful Western feature called, “Forsaken”, starring Kiefer and Donald Sutherland. I produced many additional films since then, and have been cast in various and wonderful roles in film, TV and commercials.

What are you working on now?

I was cast in a recurring role for a new pilot series. I’m also involved in the biggest film project of my career and my favorite family comedy feature film project “Hassle At The Castle” is in production. At the end of November, I’ll be shooting a permanent display for the Getty Museum. I’m going to be… I know it’s shocking…The Goddess of Love. Others will be featured in the display, too.

Additionally, I’m producing a documentary called “God & I”. This started out to be testimonials of people and how God has touched their life. It also includes people that had near death experiences. I do believe in God, and that my life was saved. I was in a fire. I don’t know how I survived; that was life changing. I was convinced that I was spared to do something good. This isn’t about me. It’s about quality entertainment and positive messages, and to stop the media that teaches people how to do bad things. Audiences deserve better movies like “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I want to be part of movies like that. I love to bring joy and make people laugh.

What inspired you to perform at such an early age?

I grew up in a little house with blue collar people. At five-years-old my mother would sing to me, “Hollywood…da-da-da-da-dada-da.” I have no idea why my mother sang that to me. She didn’t sing it to my siblings. Mom planted a seed in my brain, I guess. She was wonderful; I loved to hear her sing. Dad taught me to read the credits for movies and TV shows. Maybe he was planting seeds, too. At six-years-old I took baton lessons. I participated in many National Competitions. The best part was twirling to patriotic songs like ‘Stars and Stripes Forever”. I loved the competition of it all, even though I lost many,

Trish Cook

I won some too. It was the American way, just keep trying, working and… dreaming.

Since age six, my dream was… somehow… to go to California, to work. That was always my dream.