Jason Cook

Jason and Brandon Tyler looking great in their muscle shirts. Jason and Brandon only got to know one another for a short while. Then the role was recast with a more mature Phillip, now played by Jay Johnson. Jason's thought on Brandon leaving the show. "We got hired together, we had been buddies up to that point, and then all of a sudden he was gone. I was thinking, "Man, I'm next." Well, at least that statement is not true yet.

In school, Cook was a debater and jock and theater geek. He played the piano and played soccer. He knows the combo is a little weird. "Who does all that," Cook laughs, "those aren't exactly things that go hand in hand. But I like being busy. And I have to always be doing something. I have to spread myself way too thin." Before landing DAYS "I was broke. And that was no fun!" {photograph on left by John Paschal}

Even though Jason has only been on DAYS a few months, he has already discovered the number one perk of working at the NBC studio complex in Burbank. It's the same lot of houses as the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. He has met Robin Williams and saw Christina Aguilera from a far.

Jason's thoughts on his character Shawn...
SOW to Jason: Who does Shawn remind you of?
Jason: "The best person I can think of is James Dean. Shawn has that rebel/punk thing going on right now. He has a big chip on his shoulder to hide his hurt feelings over his parents neglecting him."

Shawn has a better relationship with his Great-Gran than he does with his parents. When he was younger and his mom was gone for four years, he was close to his father. But ever since Hope reappeared a few years back, Shawn has become very distant with both of his parents. {photography by Aaron Montgomery}

All the men of Salem gather for one last photo of the century. From left to right, top row: Will Utay {Rolf}, Victor Webster {Nicholas}, Kevin Spirtas {Craig}, Matt Cedeno {Brandon}, Matthew Mahaney {Kurt}, second row: Frank Parker {Shawn}, Jason Cook {Shawn-D}, Brandon Tyler {Phillip}, Bryan Datillo {Lucas}, James Reynolds {Abe}, Bill Hayes {Doug}, Jensen Ackles {Eric}. Third row: Taylor Carpenter {Will}, Josh Taylor {Roman}, John Aniston {Victor}, Austin Peck {Austin}, Drake Hogestyn {John}, John Clarke {Mickey}, Peter Reckell {Bo}, Joe Mascolo {Stefano} and Shawn Carpenter {Will}. {photography by Jeff Katz}

Jason was part of the last photo taken of all the men in Salem. SOU included quotes from some of guys about what they would like the new year to bring them and the their characters. Jason: "It's sometimes harder to maintain than to attain something. I want to be the best I can be in my role. Life is really good." For Shawn: "A better relationship with his parents the real Hope and Bo. And a best friend he can hang with." {photography by Jeff Katz}

Jason stood right next to Brandon Tyler, who plays Shawn's uncle Phillip. This is the first photo of Shawn-Douglas with all three of his grandfathers: Shawn Brady to the left of Shawn, Doug Williams, three people over, and Victor Kiriakis, below left. {photography by Jeff Katz}

On February 8, 2000, Jason appeared on Wheel of Fortune as part of the Soap City Celebrity Week. Here he is in rehearsal with other soap stars who appeared during the week {L to R:} a Wheel staffer, Jason, Patrika Darbo, Rebecca Herbst (GH), Kimberlin Brown (PC), Shemar Moore (Y&R) and Heather Tom (Y&R). {photo courtesy Soap City}

Jason seemed to enjoy himself. He was one of the youngest stars on during the week. Other Days stars who appeared included Drake Hogestyn, Deidre Hall, and Patrika Darbo. Kevin Spirtas was in the studio, ready to serve as an alternate if necessary. {photos courtesy Soap City}

Jason found himself surrounded by beautiful women. In the show he was on, he and his teammate competed against Rebecca and Heather. {photos courtesy Soap City}

In SOU's February issue they rated all the soaps with teens and who was doing the best job. Days got a A- for their teens, while the lowest grade was a C given to Passions and the highest was a A+ given to As the World Turns. SOU commented on the actors and their job taking over the roles. The leader of the pack is Jason Cook {Shawn-Douglas}, who took over the reins of Bo and Hope's rebellious offspring with the ease of a veteran. He overcame a daunting task and never the lets the audience see him sweat.

To see more of Jason, check out our Teen Scenes page