User:PattyMcGr1/James Patrick Cooke

James P. Cooke (born December 14, 1974) is an American actor, producer and writer. He is best known for his internet series based on the fictional MMA fighter, Buck Rydell. He created the late night stage series based on private detective Jack O'Shea.

Life and Career
Cook was born in Evanston, IL. He was raised primarily in Chicago, Pittsburg and Galway, Ireland. He attended North Park University and graduated in 1997. He took classes at The Second City conservatory in 2000-01.

Cook's first prominent stage role was in the The Noble Fool Theater Company's comedy Flannigan's Wake from 2000-03. In 2000, Cook wrote, produced, directed and stared in his first play based on the character Jack O'Shea. He went on to produce a total of 6 plays centered around the character. Cook stared in the independent sci-fi pilot File 13 written and directed by Benjamen Capps in 2012. James has also modeled for photographer Bill Whitmire.

In 2012, Cook and Patricia McGuire formed Lord Beefstick Productions. The company focuses on short internet comedy clips. Currently, Cook is working on the Buck Rydell: MMA Legend! series.

James is married and has two daughters.

Jack O'Shea
Cook created the alcoholic misanthrope character Jack O'Shea based off of Dirty Harry and Bruce Campbell. Comparisons have been made to a foul tempered Norm MacDonald. Jack is a former Chicago cop turned private detective. He is often intoxicated or hung over and has an addiction to the seedier side of the city. He stumbles about underground crime rings during his nocturnal misadventures. The series was created under the Hairy Calahan Productions banner.

Jack O'Shea versus the Satanists! The first in the series, "Jack O'Shea versus the Satanists!" was held at the University of Illinois Chicago as a one off performance in January 2001. The show was notable for it's copious amounts of fake blood and the lack of a fight choreographer. This resulted in cast member Mike Checuga suffering a broken nose from one of Cook's wayward swings.

"Return of The Jack" was directed by Don Victorine and staged at The Second City training center theater in September 2001. In this installment, Jack took on his old arch-nemesis Simon DeClerc, an effeminate, sophisticated euro-villain. The show ran for just two weeks

"Jack O'Shea Trouble in Toyland" was performed at the Cornservatory in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood in December 2001. This holiday special was directed by Cook. Jack once again confronts Simon DeClerc and his diabolic creation, Sassy Amigo. This is the first installment to obtain a review from the Chicago Reader.

"Jack O'Shea Cas O'blanca" was directed by Andy Lawfer and performed at Chicago Actors Studio in August 2002. The show was a spoof of the movie classic Casablanca. Jack battles Nazis in North Africa and prevent them from successfully deploying an estrogen bomb.

Jack O'Shea the Saga Begins

Jack O'Shea Jungle Love

Buck Rydell
Buck Rydell