Luke Cook
Luke Cook (born 19 December 1986) is an Australian actor, director, writer, and content creator, best known for his portrayal of Lucifer Morningstar in the Netflix supernatural series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020).[1] Born in Sydney, New South Wales, he is the youngest of five children raised in a religious household, with his father serving as a church minister.[2] At age 20, Cook relocated from Sydney to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career, initially facing years of challenges before achieving breakthrough roles starting in 2014.[3] Cook's breakthrough came with recurring roles in prominent American television shows, including guest appearances on Modern Family (2016), How to Get Away with Murder (2016–2017), and a supporting part as the alien Taserface in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).[1] His performance as the devilish Lucifer in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina garnered widespread recognition, appearing in 11 episodes across three seasons and earning praise for blending charm with menace.[3][1] Subsequent credits include the recurring role of Jack Danby in the Max comedy Hacks (2021–present) and guest spots in series such as Dollface (2021) and Dynasty (2021).[4][5] In 2025, Cook achieved a career milestone with the lead role of detective Henry Hickman in the dramedy series Good Cop/Bad Cop, a co-production between Stan, The CW, and Roku, filmed on Australia's Gold Coast and marking his return to Australian storytelling after nearly two decades abroad.[3] The series, which pairs him with Leighton Meester as estranged siblings solving crimes, premiered on February 19, 2025, to positive reception and received a Special Jury Prize for cast performance at the Monte-Carlo Golden Nymph Awards in June 2025.[6] Personally, Cook is married to New Zealand-born stylist Kara Cook, with whom he has three children, and resides in West Hollywood; he has also built a significant online presence, amassing over 2.7 million social media followers since beginning regular posts in 2020.[3][7]Early life
Childhood and family
Luke Cook was born on December 19, 1986, in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.[1] He grew up as the youngest of five children in a close-knit family.[8] Cook was raised in a religious household, with his father serving as a church minister in Sydney and his mother holding devout Christian beliefs.[9] This environment provided a structured and faith-centered foundation during his early years.[10] His upbringing in Sydney's suburban setting was marked by the dynamics of a large family, where being the youngest child fostered a playful and adaptive personality.[8] Cook has described his family as inherently humorous, noting that this comedic influence significantly shaped his wit and outlook before his teenage years.[8]Introduction to acting
Luke Cook's passion for acting first ignited during his grade school years in Sydney, where he discovered the thrill of performance through an impromptu audition. At around age 11, while trying out for a Year 6 school play, he impersonated Frank Sinatra by singing "My Way," earning a standing ovation from his classmates that profoundly impacted him. This moment of audience appreciation marked a turning point, transforming his playful tendencies into a deliberate interest in acting as a means to connect and entertain.[11] Growing up in a supportive family environment in Sydney, Cook's early performative inclinations were shaped by the humor inherent in his household dynamics, often expressed through lighthearted antics amid a religious upbringing. His father's role as a church minister introduced a structured yet expressive atmosphere, where public speaking and communal gatherings fostered his comfort with performance, blending familial wit with spiritual influences. This background nurtured his natural comedic flair, encouraging him to channel humor as a core element of his emerging artistic identity.[9] By his early twenties, Cook had committed to pursuing acting professionally, enrolling in acting school in Sydney before making the bold decision to relocate abroad. At age 20 in 2007, he moved alone to Los Angeles to seek greater opportunities in the industry, driven by a manager's encouragement during a chance meeting and his determination to immerse himself in a competitive acting scene. This relocation represented the culmination of his school-sparked ambition, setting the stage for his professional journey.[3]Personal life
Marriage and children
Luke Cook married New Zealand-born stylist Kara Cook in May 2020.[12] The couple welcomed their first son, Chaplin Benjamin Cook, in November 2020.[13] Their second son, Ozzie Alexander Cook, arrived at home on November 15, 2022.[14] Kara gave birth to their third son, Buzz Bruce Cook, at home on September 27, 2025.[7] Cook resides in West Hollywood, California, with his wife and three young sons; he has described fatherhood as a grounding force that helps him navigate the unpredictable demands of his acting career, noting that his children's needs provide essential perspective and prevent him from dwelling on professional setbacks.[3][15]Philanthropy and interests
Cook has demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy through creative and impactful fundraising efforts, focusing on Australian disaster relief and international maternal health. In January 2020, during the severe Australian bushfires, he initiated a GoFundMe campaign that raised $30,000 for the Australian Red Cross to support affected communities and wildlife recovery initiatives.[16] The following year, in a unconventional approach to giving, Cook sold digital photographs of his feet to fans online, generating $10,666 for the Aminata Maternal Foundation, an organization aiding maternal and child health services in Sierra Leone; he highlighted the value of infusing fun into charitable acts to make them more accessible and engaging.[17][18] Cook's personal interests center on fitness, wellness, and humor, which inform his balanced lifestyle and creative perspective. He maintains a rigorous routine of 10,000 daily steps—frequently logged on a treadmill during meetings—and weightlifting five days a week for about 30 minutes each session, describing gym time as meditative for mental clarity.[19] As co-founder of Shakewell, a protein drink brand with clean, eight-ingredient formulas providing 25 grams of protein per serving, he promotes high-protein, low-calorie nutrition to support health and longevity without unnecessary additives.[20] Influenced by comedians like Celeste Barber for her niche mastery, Cook embraces a "goofball" ethos, sharing humorous social media content and appreciating lighthearted elements like fart jokes to foster authenticity and joy in daily life.[15]Career
Early career and relocation
Cook began his professional acting career in Australia with minor roles in film and theatre while training at acting school in Sydney. For instance, he appeared as a boy at Burnside Skate Park in the 2004 independent film The Graffiti Artist.[21] He also featured in the 2007 short film 20-20 Hindsight as Kurt.[22] Inspired by limited opportunities in Australia, Cook relocated to Los Angeles in 2007 at the age of 20 to pursue greater prospects in Hollywood.[3] Shortly after arriving, he was offered roles in two television pilots, but visa complications prevented him from accepting them, marking the start of significant early challenges.[11] These issues, combined with financial hardships, forced him to take side jobs such as teaching improv classes and driving for Uber to support himself over the ensuing years.[23] Cook's United States debut came in 2014 with a guest role as RuPaul's evil assistant in the ABC Family sitcom Mystery Girls, opposite Tori Spelling and Jennie Garth.[11] Following this breakthrough into American television, he secured a series of small guest spots on shows including Modern Family, Faking It, Major Crimes, and How to Get Away with Murder.[3] Despite these incremental successes, the persistent financial instability—exemplified by earning just $7,500 for a two-week episode of work on a recurring role—led to ongoing struggles throughout his nearly two decades in Los Angeles.[24] By around 2025, after 18 years of perseverance amid the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strikes, Cook nearly abandoned acting as a full-time pursuit, shifting focus to commercial directing and viewing performance as a hobby.[3] This decision preceded his return to Australia for new opportunities.[23]Breakthrough roles
Cook's breakthrough in film came with his role as Zylak's Frenemy, a minor but memorable Ravager character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), marking his first major feature credit and showcasing his comedic timing in a high-profile ensemble cast.[25] In the scene, his character delivers a sharp, humorous line amid the Ravagers' mutiny, contributing to the film's blend of action and wit that grossed over $863 million worldwide.[2] This appearance elevated his visibility in Hollywood, transitioning him from Australian television to international blockbusters. His portrayal of Lucifer Morningstar in Netflix's Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020) solidified Cook's rising profile, with the character appearing as the charismatic yet tyrannical Dark Lord—Sabrina Spellman's estranged father—in seasons 2 through 4.[1] Lucifer's arc evolves from a manipulative antagonist exiled to Hell, seeking to reclaim power through his daughter's allegiance, to a more vulnerable figure grappling with betrayal and redemption, including a pivotal possession storyline that tests family bonds in the infernal realm.[26] Critics and fans praised Cook's performance for humanizing the Devil, blending menace with allure that made the character a fan favorite, often highlighted for its "swoon-worthy" appeal and contribution to the series' dark, campy tone.[27] The role's impact was evident in its role in boosting the show's viewership, with parts 3 and 4 drawing millions of streams upon release.[28] During this period, Cook expanded into recurring television supporting roles. By 2020, he took on the recurring part of Guy LaMontagne, a suave fashion designer and romantic interest in Katy Keene, emphasizing his versatility in lighter, ensemble-driven narratives on The CW.[29] These parts marked his shift toward sustained TV engagements, complementing his lead in Sabrina. Parallel to acting, Cook ventured into writing and directing with contributions to the web series Zach & Dennis: How It All Began (2016–2019), where he portrayed the character Luke and helmed episodes like "Friends W/O Benefits," exploring themes of modern relationships in a comedic, LGBTQ+-themed format.[30] His work on the series, which garnered positive reception for its relatable humor, represented early creative control and laid groundwork for future behind-the-scenes involvement.[31]Recent projects and recognition
In the early 2020s, Luke Cook continued to build on his international profile with recurring television roles in American series. He portrayed Oliver Noble, a photographer and ex-boyfriend of Kirby Anders with ulterior motives in Atlanta, in the fourth season of The CW's Dynasty from 2021 to 2022.[5] Following this, Cook joined the HBO Max comedy Hacks in its second season in 2022, playing Jack Danby, an ambitious young comedian who becomes a professional rival to the veteran performer Deborah Vance, with the role recurring through subsequent seasons including the third in 2024.[32] Marking a significant return to Australian productions after nearly two decades based in Los Angeles, Cook took a leading role in the 2025 Stan Original series Good Cop/Bad Cop, created by John Quaintance. In the comedy-drama police procedural, he stars as Henry, the affable but flawed brother to Leighton Meester's character Lou, as the sibling detectives navigate corruption and family secrets in a small Pacific Northwest town. The series, which premiered on February 20, 2025, in Australia and February 19 on The CW in the U.S., represented Cook's homecoming to Australian storytelling after a period of frustration in Hollywood that nearly led him to abandon acting. The series also received the Jury Special Prize for Cast Performance at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Golden Nymph Awards.[3][33][34][6] Cook has also expanded into voice acting for animation and video games during this period. In the DC Universe animated series Creature Commandos, which debuted in late 2024 and continued into 2025, he voices Paddy Craic, an electrokinetic metahuman operative in the black-ops team led by Amanda Waller. Additionally, his voice performance as the Haxion Brood leader Sorc Tormo in the 2019 video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gained renewed attention with the franchise's expansions, including ties to the 2023 sequel Jedi: Survivor and ongoing Star Wars media.[35][36] For his performance in Good Cop/Bad Cop, Cook received a nomination for the Silver Logie Award for Most Popular Lead or Supporting Actor in a Comedy at the 2025 TV Week Logie Awards, his first major accolade in Australia and a recognition of his contributions to local television.[37][38] Alongside acting, Cook maintained his creative pursuits in writing and directing smaller-scale projects. He co-wrote the 2022 short action film Agent Wilson, in which he also starred as the titular secret agent navigating high-stakes espionage. These endeavors reflect his ongoing interest in multifaceted storytelling, building on opportunities from his established 2010s roles.[39]Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Graffiti Artist | Boy at Burnside Skate Park[2] |
| 2013 | Love and Laundry | Lachlan[1] |
| 2013 | Highway 15 | Party Goer[1] |
| 2013 | Where Ya At | Jake[40] |
| 2014 | First Kiss | Kisser[1] |
| 2014 | First Sh*t | Man[1] |
| 2015 | Always Worthy | Jake Slade |
| 2015 | Ur In Analysis | Rick |
| 2016 | Escape | Rains[41] |
| 2016 | Good Morning | Al |
| 2017 | Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 | Zylak's Frenemy[42] |
| 2017 | How It All Began | Luke[43] |
| 2018 | Amigos | Jeremy |
| 2019 | Bit | Mike |
| 2020 | How Do You Know Chris? | Chris |
| 2021 | Eye Without a Face | Eric[44] |
| 2022 | Follow Her | Tom Brady[45] |
Television
Luke Cook began his television career with guest appearances in American series, gradually progressing to recurring and leading roles in both live-action and animated formats. His breakthrough on television came with the role of Lucifer Morningstar in the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020), for which he appeared in 21 episodes as a main cast member.[46] Subsequent roles have included lead positions in miniseries and ongoing guest spots in established shows. The following table enumerates his television credits chronologically, distinguishing between guest, recurring, and main roles, with episode counts where applicable.[1]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Cops L.A.C. | Brandon | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2014 | Mystery Girls | Seth | Guest role, 1 episode; major network debut opposite RuPaul.[47] |
| 2015 | Baby Daddy | Ian | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2015 | Faking It | Daniel | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2015 | Rules of Engagement | Irwin | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2015 | Major Crimes | Jake | Guest role, 1 episode ("Family Law"). |
| 2016 | Dope | DJ Schwag | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2016 | The Librarians | Lucille / Lucille's Brother | Guest role, 1 episode ("And the Image of Image"). |
| 2016 | Modern Family | Jake | Guest role, 1 episode ("I Don't Know How She Does It"). |
| 2016–2019 | Zach & Dennis: How It All Began | Luke | Recurring role, multiple episodes across the web series. |
| 2017 | S.W.A.T. | Nick | Guest role, 1 episode; additional appearance as A.J. in 2021. |
| 2018 | How to Get Away with Murder | Guard Leon | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2018–2020 | Chilling Adventures of Sabrina | Lucifer Morningstar / Adam / Salem | Main cast, 21 episodes across four parts.[46] |
| 2019 | Dollface | Rob | Recurring role, season 1 (8 episodes). |
| 2019 | The Rookie | Dylan | Guest role, 1 episode. |
| 2020 | Katy Keene | Jorge Lopez / Guy Lamontagne | Main cast, 13 episodes. |
| 2021 | Hacks | Jack Danby | Guest role, 1 episode (season 1). |
| 2022 | American Horror Stories | Sam | Guest role, 1 episode ("Necro"). |
| 2022 | Dollface | Fender | Recurring role, season 2 (10 episodes). |
| 2024 | Creature Commandos | Eric Frankenstein | Voice role, main cast in animated miniseries (7 episodes). |
| 2024 | Hacks | Jack Danby | Guest role, 2 episodes (season 3). |
| 2025 | Watching You | Axel | Main cast, 6 episodes. |
| 2025 | Good Cop/Bad Cop | Det. Henry Hickman | Lead role, 8 episodes.[48] |
Video games
Cook's involvement in video games primarily consists of voice acting roles in action-adventure and first-person shooter titles, showcasing his versatility in providing character voices and additional dialogue. His credits span from indie full-motion video projects to major franchise entries. The following table lists his known video game voice roles chronologically:| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Daemon 9 | Newscaster #1[49] |
| 2019 | Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | Sorc Tormo[50] |
| 2023 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III | Jack Fletcher[51] |
| 2024 | Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 | Additional Voices[52] |