Dane Cook is a stand-up comedian who became the second comic to sell out Madison Square Garden and was dubbed as Rolling Stone magazine's Hot Comic of the Year in 2006.
Born on March 18, 1972 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dane Cook is the son of George Cook, who works at a golf course, and homemaker Donna Cook. He is the second youngest of seven siblings.
Cook studied at Arlington High School, where he joined the school production of Grease. In attempt to break out of his shell, an introverted Cook took up drama and eventually fell in love with improve and sketch comedy. He graduated in 1990 and in the same year, he started focusing on his career as a comedian. He first joined a three-man troupe called Al and the Monkeys with Robert Kelly and Al Del Bene, and toured with the group for four years before disbanding.
As a solo performer, Cook made his debut at an open microphone night at Catch A Rising Star that was hosted by David Cross. Although he intended to watch the show as part of the audience, he ended up performing onstage when he found out that a man by the name of Ernest Glenn didn’t show up for his set. For the next several years, Cook honed his act in local comedy clubs, bars and even in Chinese restaurants.
In 1998, Dane Cook’s big break came as he appeared on Central's Premium Blend, which led to a relationship between Cook and the cable channel that has lasted many years. Five years later, he released his first DVD entitled Harmful If Swallowed. The success of the videolanded him a record contract with Comedy Central Records and led to a second DVD release called Retaliation in 2005.
Dane Cook also ventured into the TV and movie world by guest starring on shows like Maybe This Time, Suddenly Susan, Good Girl's Don't and Duck Dodgers, and appearing in films such as Dan in Real Life, Good Luck Chuck and Mystery Men.