Biography of Dane Cook

Much-acclaimed comedian and actor Dane Cook, best known for his violent, comical stand-up acts, will perform at Loyola College's Reitz Arena on September 17 as the highlight of this year's Intitium Week activities.

Cook's resume includes roles in films such as Mystery Men and Stuck on You, as well as a stand-up special on Comedy Central and two popular CD/DVDs. His latest, entitled Retaliation, debuted at a nearly unprecedented #4 on the Billboard 200, the highest position for a comedian since Steve Martin in 1979. Before coming to Loyola, Cook will have performed at the VMAs in Miami and three shows at Madison Square Garden, including two sold out shows that forced the third, immediately before coming to Loyola.

The SGA's first choice, Cook was selected due to his first-place finish in a student survey circulated last year. SGA Director of Social Affairs Gary Lamsback was adamant in his desire to bring Cook to Loyola.

"For me, Dane Cook was the only option," Lamsback said.

Along with Lamsback, SGA President John McNamara credited the booking of Cook to past dealings with the agent who booked Cook's shows at Madison Square Garden.

"At a smaller college like Loyola, the main focus is to bring in the most up-and-coming comedians while they are on a rise to fame," McNamara said.

Cook, who has performed in front of 50,000 at the famous Carnegie Hall and has been voted Comedy Central's Favorite Stand-up Comedian, more than qualifies as such a performer. By booking Cook before Retaliation debuted, the SGA was able to secure a top-rate act who has enjoyed a now timely rise to fame.

The SGA is paying $55,000 for Cook to perform, the most money spent on a single act in Loyola's history. Tickets for the performance will cost $22, a marked increase from past events, but the SGA reasons that students will be willing to spend the extra money.

"We will show students, if you're willing to pay to get a good act, you're going to get that," said Lamsback, who further rationalized the price by comparing it to Cook's going rate elsewhere, stating, "Nowhere does he [Cook] sell under $35, that's a 160 percent difference."

While Cook has been performing in larger venues recently, instead of smaller college shows, Lamsback explained Cook's affinity for college shows. The Greyhound is free of charge for all visitors. To gain full access to this site, you must complete the short registration form in the lower left corner of this page. As a member, you'll have free access to the entire contents of The Greyhound news, forums, classifieds, email editions and more.