John McCook was born on June 20 in Ventura, CA.
McCook is wed to Laurette Spang and they have three children: Jake, Becky and Molly. McCook also has a son, Seth, from a previous marriage.
Photo credit: Steven Bergman
While starring in a West Side Story revival in New York, he was discovered by legendary Hollywood mogul Jack Warner and signed as a contract player for Universal Studios until he was drafted into the Army. After his two-year military stint, McCook returned to his acting career.
Photo credit: Gilles Toucas/Courtesy of Bell-Phillip Television Inc
In 1975, he was cast as Lance Prentiss on Y&R and became a fan fave. He left in 1980. When it came time to cast a new soap, B&B, in 1987, McCook and Susan Flannery (ex-Stephanie) were the first two actors hired.
His favorite food? "Jif peanut butter, creamy style. The largest jar you can get! In my household, I have to wrap the jar with masking tape and it says ‘Dad’s' because I spoon it out, I double-dip. Everyone in my family is disgusted with that. I go, 'Okay, so I’ll mark it. Don’t use mine!' If I come home at 3:30 or 4 p.m. and I’m hungry but I don’t want to spoil my dinner, I’ll have a big spoonful of Jif.That’s my weakness!" (He's also fond of Mexican cuisine, bacon and jelly beans.)
He's a soap fan and says, "I watch B&B regularly, but if I’m home and flipping around, I will see what the other shows are up to. I do check on Y&R and I am always impressed with what I see."
McCook and Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) are the only current actors who were introduced in the first episode.
