Curtiss Cook
Who Is Curtiss Cook?
Curtiss Cook is a veteran American character actor whose powerful screen presence has made him one of the most trusted and sought-after performers in prestige television and film. Born on October 2, 1968, he is known for his roles in House of Cards, Manifest, Mayans M.C., Luke Cage, Narcos, and others.
Today, Curtiss Cook is best known for his powerhouse portrayal of Otis “Douda” Perry on Showtime’s hit drama The Chi. Furthermore, he played the first-ever Black character in Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed 2021 film West Side Story. He also appeared in the Netflix thriller Carry-On in December 2024.
Early Life: Dayton, Ohio, and the Spark of a Dream
Growing Up in Dayton
Curtiss Cook grew up in Dayton, Ohio. From a young age, he was drawn to performance and self-expression.
By seventh grade, he actively participated in school theater productions, supported by his drama teacher Patricia Copeland, who recognized his potential and encouraged deeper involvement. He further engaged with local community programs, notably the Muse Machine — a Dayton-based performing arts organization — and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, where he trained and performed during his high school years at Belmont High School.
A Scholarship That Changed Everything
After high school, Curtiss Cook took a bold step. He pursued formal acting training abroad.
His career led him to live in London, where Curtiss became the first American to receive a full-ride scholarship to London’s prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. This was a historic achievement. It demonstrated his exceptional talent long before any camera ever pointed in his direction.
Career Beginnings: Broadway, Single Fatherhood, and Perseverance
From London to Broadway
After training in London, Curtiss moved to New York City to pursue his dreams on stage. He moved to NYC and began performing on Broadway, including roles in The Lion King and Miss Saigon.
Curtiss Cook is an actor who began his career struggling on Broadway as a single parent of three children. The financial pressure was immense. He relied on welfare at one point. He was evicted from his apartment. However, he never gave up.
“Finding childcare was difficult, especially with three kids,” he later recalled. “I had a great support system in my parents, but they were in Ohio.” Despite these hardships, he kept showing up. He kept performing. He kept believing.
The Turning Point: Television Over Broadway
The jump from stage to screen changed his financial reality instantly. “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.”
Career Highlights: Prestige Television and Major Film Roles
House of Cards: Terry Womack (2013–2017)
From 2013 to 2017, Curtiss Cook appeared in 18 episodes of House of Cards as Terry Womack. This long-running role on the acclaimed Netflix political drama introduced him to a global audience. It proved he could hold his own in one of the most critically respected series of its era.
Marvel’s Luke Cage: Uncle Pete (2016)
In 2016, Curtiss Cook joined the Marvel universe. He appeared in Marvel’s Luke Cage as Uncle Pete / Pistol Pete Stokes. The role placed him among the cast of one of Netflix’s most talked-about superhero dramas.
Narcos: Gilbert Mills (2015)
He also appeared in Narcos as Gilbert Mills in 2015 — one of the most-watched dramas in Netflix history.
The Chi: Otis “Douda” Perry (2018–2025)
He is currently best known for his powerful role as Otis “Douda” Perry on the Showtime drama The Chi, where his layered portrayal of a complex political and criminal figure has earned widespread recognition and cemented him as one of the series’ most compelling performers.
He starred as Otis “Douda” Perry across 32 episodes, from Season 1 through Season 6. Moreover, the show has been renewed for a seventh season.
Douda is a South Side Chicago businessman turned gang leader turned mayor — and he has been called one of the most polarizing characters on television. “When Steven Spielberg says, ‘Oh my God, I love you on The Chi,’ I have to keep pinching myself,” Cook said.
Manifest: Radd Campbell (2018 and 2022–2023)
Cook played Radd Campbell in Manifest across four episodes, including the pilot in September 2018 and the series finale in June 2023. Notably, Curtiss also portrayed the father of his real-life son, Curtiss Jr., in the show. Both father and son delivered memorable performances together.
West Side Story (2021): Abe — The First Black Character in the Story
Among the many updates director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner made to the new West Side Story, which opened December 10, is the addition of a brand new character, Abe, played by actor Curtiss Cook. Abe is the first Black character featured in the story of young lovers caught between battling teen gangs and ethnic divides in 1950s New York.
Cook spoke about what this representation meant. “There were a lot of Black people in New York during 1957,” Cook said. “What you see Abe do is amazing. He really moves the story along.”
The addition of Abe was a deliberate, powerful choice by Spielberg and Kushner. Being cast in that role was a testament to Curtiss Cook’s stature as a serious dramatic actor.
Carry-On (2024): Lionel Williams
Curtiss Cook appears in Netflix thriller Carry-On, which premiered December 13, 2024. He played the role of Lionel Williams in the film. The action thriller, starring Taron Egerton and Jason Bateman, was one of Netflix’s biggest releases of 2024.
Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (2023–2026)
Cook guest-starred as Reddick Barris in Apple TV+’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters across five episodes in Season 2, with episodes airing through 2026. This role further demonstrated his consistent demand across the industry’s top streaming platforms.
Earlier Career: Television and Film Foundations
Cook’s extensive television career includes memorable appearances on critically acclaimed series such as House of Cards, Manifest, Luke Cage, Daredevil, Mayans M.C., Narcos, and Mr. Robot. Known for portraying authority figures, politicians, law enforcement officials, and morally complex characters, Cook has become a trusted and frequently sought-after presence in prestige television.
In film, Cook has appeared in major studio and independent productions including Patriots Day, City of Lies, Salt, and The Invasion, working alongside some of Hollywood’s top talent.
Notable earlier roles include:
- The Sopranos (1999) — Credenso Curtis
- The Interpreter (2005)
- Shutter Island (2010) — Trey Washington, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio
- City Island (2009)
- Narcos (2015) — Gilbert Mills
- Chicago Med (2015, 2021–2022) — Lt. Reginald Scott
- Pose (2018) — Thomas
- FBI (2018) — ADIC Lawrence Green
- Mayans M.C. (2018) — Bowen
- Tommy (2020) — Deputy Chief Castro
- The Devil You Know (2022) — Anthony Cowans
Personal Life: A Father of Five
Curtiss Cook became a single parent when his wife left him and their children. The couple had three children: Curtiss Jr., Isis, and Kimani. He raised all three largely on his own during the early years of his acting career — while performing on Broadway and hustling for television roles.
He later met his current wife, and the couple had twins, so he now has five children total. His twins, Harlem and Jade, are from his second marriage to Angela Edward.
His oldest son, Curtiss Jr., has followed him into the acting profession. Curtiss Jr. now has over a dozen acting credits of his own.
Additionally, Curtiss Cook is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. — one of the most distinguished African American fraternities in the United States.
Complete Filmography (Selected)
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | The Sopranos | Credenso Curtis |
| 2013–2017 | House of Cards | Terry Womack (18 episodes) |
| 2015 | Narcos | Gilbert Mills |
| 2015, 2021–2022 | Chicago Med | Lt. Reginald Scott |
| 2016 | Marvel’s Luke Cage | Uncle Pete / Pistol Pete Stokes |
| 2018 | Mayans M.C. | Bowen |
| 2018 | Manifest | Radd Campbell |
| 2018 | Pose | Thomas |
| 2018 | FBI | ADIC Lawrence Green |
| 2018–2025 | The Chi | Otis “Douda” Perry (48+ episodes) |
| 2019 | Mr. Robot | — |
| 2020 | Tommy | Deputy Chief Castro |
| 2023–2026 | Monarch: Legacy of Monsters | Reddick Barris |
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Interpreter | Ajene Xola |
| 2009 | City Island | Matt Cruniff |
| 2010 | Shutter Island | Trey Washington |
| 2019 | Inside Game | U.S. Attorney |
| 2021 | West Side Story | Abe |
| 2022 | The Devil You Know | Anthony Cowans |
| 2024 | Carry-On | Lionel Williams |
Broadway
| Production | Role |
|---|---|
| The Lion King | Banzai (2001–2003) |
| Miss Saigon | — |
