Curtiss Cook is an actor who began his career struggling on Broadway as a single parent of three children. Curtiss first caught the bug for acting early in life in Dayton, Ohio. Following his passion, he put everything into solidifying his future career as an actor. Curtiss became the first American to receive a full-ride scholarship to London’s prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. He then moved to NYC and began performing on Broadway, including roles in “The Lion King” and “Miss Saigon.”
Since then, he has appeared in ARBITRAGE, THE INTERPRETER, and SHUTTER ISLAND, along with roles in series such FX’s “Mayans MC,” NBC’s “Manifest”, Netflix’s “House of Cards,” “Luke Cage” and “Narcos,”. After a stellar performance in the latest season of Lena Wathe’s hit series ‘The Chi,” as the successful southside businessman turned mayor, ‘Douda,’ Curtiss Cook is currently starring in Steven Spielberg’s film WEST SIDE STORY.
The talented actor spoke with the Chicago Defender about his journey and why his role in “West Side Story” is meaningful.
Chicago Defender: When you began acting, you were a single dad to three children. How did you balance acting with providing?
Curtiss Cook: It was an interesting time. It was not what I expected my life to be, so I felt lost and had no idea what to do or how to do it. I remember signing up for food stamps. It was one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. Walking into that office in Yonkers with my kids, I had a realization that this was where I was. Finding childcare was difficult, especially with three kids. When I say it was God, it truly was. I had a great support system in my parents, but they were in Ohio, and my ex-wife’s family would watch them as well, which also helped. Later I found a sitter at the local YMCA who helped me. I had much help. I had spiritual support and angels walking with and guiding me because I did not know what to do. It allowed me quite a bit of time to focus on my kids and do everything I could to enable them to become full human beings. Then I met my current wife, and we had twins, so I have five children now. We are about to be empty nesters.
Chicago Defender: Your character in “West Side Story” was written for you, and this rendition is updated to reflect more diversity. What does that feel like to be a part of such a beloved film?
Curtiss Cook: I am a product of musical theatre. It is the reason I moved to New York. Musical theatre will always be my first love. I grew up watching West Side Story, Carmen Jones, The Wiz, Stormy Weather, and more. So after reading the script, I said, this is an opportunity to have your work in something that will stand the test of time.
Chicago Defender: You mentioned musical theatre is your first love. What made you transition from the stage to film and television?
Curtiss Cook: I did a shoot once, and I made more in a day than I did in a week on Broadway, and I said I need to figure out how to do more of this. That lead me on the journey. It was a different technique. I learned how to present myself on camera versus the stage and got a commercial agent who got me hired for a few national commercials. I realized there was an art to TV and Film and a way to do it and not to do it. I did a few student films after that to understand the arc of a character within a film. After that, I have not looked back, and I am so fortunate, but musical theatre will always be my first love.
Chicago Defender: Did you find your training in musical theatre helped you as you branched out to TV and Film?
Curtiss Cook: Most definitely. More so than anything, it is how to develop a character. Because, in theatre, you must really find a backstory to understand who it is you are portraying. There is so much research and character development that goes into a theatre performance. Those skills come in handy when you work in television and film because they are not given to you like they would be when you work on a theatrical production.
It adds such a dimension, especially when the audience is watching it. My training and theatre work allowed me to access and touch that part of the creative journey.
Chicago Defender: Tell me about your role in West Side Story.
Curtiss Cook: First, it is the fact that he is there and exists. I do not want to give too much away, but the audience will ask many questions because of my character in the film. That is important. There are so many neighborhoods with black and Latino people co-existing, and I am glad that was represented.
Chicago Defender: What is next for you? What does the future look like for Curtiss Cook?
Curtiss Cook: Well, for fans of “The Chi” and my character, Douda” …where is he? Is he coming back? He is always playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. I cannot say but stay tuned. I am also working on a few projects with some heavy hitters. It is an exciting time in my life.
“West Side Story” is currently in theatres now.
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