Janet Cooke is an American journalist best known for playing Author in Jimmy's World.
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Best Known For:Jimmy's World
Breakthrough:Won a Pulitzer Prize for the fabricated story Jimmy's World in 1981
10 Quick Facts About Janet Cooke
- Full Name: Janet Cooke
- Nationality: American
- Profession: Journalist
- Known For: Jimmy's World
- Date of Birth: July 23, 1954
- Age: 71 years old
- Place of Birth: Toledo, Ohio
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Net Worth: $375K - $3.8M
- Salary: $45K - $188K
Janet Cooke Age
Janet Cooke is about 72 years old as of 2026. Janet Cooke was born in 1954.
Education
She attended University of Toledo, where she earned a Bachelor's degree.
- University of Toledo
- Qualification: Bachelor's degree
Career & Work
Janet Cooke's career includes news and reporting roles with The Washington Post and Toledo Blade.
Organization: The Washington Post
Role: Reporter
Period: 1980–1981
Organization: Toledo Blade
Role: Reporter
Period: 1977–1979
Details: Toledo, Ohio
Rise to Fame
Janet Cooke rose to prominence for her role on Jimmy's World.
Notable Works
- Work: Jimmy's World (Author, 1980) — Fabricated story about an 8-year-old heroin addict
Lesser Known Facts
- Cooke returned her Pulitzer Prize after admitting the story was a fabrication.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Janet Cooke
- Gender: Female
- Occupation: Journalist
- Nationality: American
- Living Status: Alive
- Ethnicity: Black / African
Birth & Background
- Date of Birth: July 23, 1954
- Age: 71
- Birthday: July 23
- Zodiac Sign: Leo
- Place of Birth: Toledo, Ohio
Measurements
- Hair Color: Black
Family & Relationships
- Marital Status: Divorced
Net Worth & Income
- Salary: $45K - $188K (Est)
- Net Worth: $375K - $3.8M (Est)
- Source of Income: Media work, including anchoring, hosting, reporting, and related ventures
