The Writers Guild of America West has named the late Thomas S. Cook as its 2014 Morgan Cox Award honoree in recognition of his guild service.
The award will be presented posthumously to Cook at the WGA’s West Coast ceremony on Feb. 1 in Los Angeles at the JW Marriott L.A. Live. Cook died Jan. 5 after a battle with cancer.
“Tom was a beloved member of this guild, renowned both for the remarkable work he produced and for his unending commitment to give something of himself back,” said WGA West president Christopher Keyser. “His service touched on every corner of our mission and lasted over three wonderful decades. Even in his final days, as a Trustee of our Health and Pension Fund, he never forgot the needs of his fellow writers, and we, in turn, will never forget him.”
Cook was best known for co-writing the screenplay for “The China Syndrome” with Mike Gray and James Bridges. The script was nominated for an Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA and won the WGA award for original drama – screen.
Cook also received a WGA nomination for “Red Flag: The Ultimate Game” and won a WGA award for “High Desert Kill.” TV series writing credits include “Airwolf,” “The Paper Chase” and “Baretta.”
Cook served on the WGA West board in 1995-97 and was a strike captain during the WGA’s 1988 and 2007-08 strikes.
Previous recipients of the Cox award include George Kirgo, Del Reisman, Frank Pierson, Carl Gottlieb, Patric M. Verrone, and Daniel Petrie, Jr.
