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Carole Cook 1924 - 2023

Carole Cook was born on January 14, 1924 in Abilene, Texas United States, and died at age 98 years old on January 11, 2023 at Beverly Hills, CA.

Carole Cook

Beverly Hills, CA

January 14, 1924

Abilene, Texas, United States

January 11, 2023

Beverly Hills, CA

Female

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Carole Cook Carole Cook (1924 - 2023)

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Carole Cook's History: 1924 - 2023

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01/14

1924

Birthday

January 14, 1924

Birthdate

Abilene, Texas United States

Birthplace

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Personal Life & Family

Carole Cook Born Mildred Frances Cook January 14, 1924 Abilene, Texas, U.S. Died January 11, 2023 (aged 98) Beverly Hills, California, U.S. Occupation Actress Years active 1954–2018 Spouse Tom Troupe (m. 1964) Mildred Frances Cook (January 14, 1924 – January 11, 2023), known professionally as Carole Cook, was an American actress, active on screen and stage, best known for appearances on Lucille Ball's light entertainment comedy television series The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. Her best known film roles include The Incredible Mr. Limpet, American Gigolo and Sixteen Candles. Biography - Early Life Mildred Frances Cook was born on January 14, 1924, in Abilene, Texas, one of four children of Leland Preston (L.P.) Cook Sr. and his wife, Maudine. She studied Greek drama at Baylor University. After graduating in 1945, she worked in regional theater. By 1954, she had moved to New York, where she made her theatrical debut.[4] Lucille Ball, having recently seen her success, in a stage production of Annie Get Your Gun, invited her to work for her production company Desilu Studios and changed her stage name to Carole, after her favourite actress Carole Lombard.[4] Film and television She appeared in such feature films as The Incredible Mr. Limpet, American Gigolo, Sixteen Candles, Grandview, U.S.A., Summer Lovers, and Palm Springs Weekend.[5][6] She made guest appearances on such television shows as The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, Darkroom, Knight Rider, Emergency!, Magnum, P.I., McMillan and Wife, Murder, She Wrote, Dynasty, Charlie's Angels, Cagney & Lacey, Grey's Anatomy, and a starring role in a Season 4 episode of Hart to Hart.[5][6] Cook starred in the animated Walt Disney Pictures film Home on the Range voicing Pearl Gesner.[5] Theatre In addition to her film and television work, Cook appeared in the original Broadway productions of 42nd Street and Romantic Comedy, and was the second actress (after Carol Channing) to star as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly![7][8][9] She made her theatrical debut playing Mrs. Peacham in the 1956 off-Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, starring Lotte Lenya.[10] Personal life[11] She was married to actor and writer Tom Troupe from 1964 until her death.[4] Lucille Ball was her matron of honor.[4] Cook died from heart failure in Beverly Hills, California, on January 11, 2023, at the age of 98, three days before her 99th birthday.[4] Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1963 Palm Springs Weekend Naomi Yates [5] 1964 The Incredible Mr. Limpet Bessie Limpet [5] 1977 The Gauntlet Waitress [5] 1980 American Gigolo Mrs. Dobrun [5] 1982 Summer Lovers Barbara Foster [5] 1984 Sixteen Candles Helen [5] Grandview, U.S.A. Betty Welles [5] 1996 Fast Money Ester [5] 1999 Lost & Found Sylvia [5] 2004 Home on the Range Pearl Gesner Voice[5] 2017 A Very Sordid Wedding Hortense [12] 2018 Waiting in the Wings: Still Waiting Erika Ericson [13] Television Year Title Role Notes 1959–1960 U.S. Marshal Mrs. Parker / Nurse 2 episodes[6][14] 1963 The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis Fifi LaVerne / Molly O'Day 1963–1968 The Lucy Show Thelma Green / Woman in Station (uncredited) / Hotel Guest / Mrs. Valance / Lady at the Health Club / Mrs. Baldwin / Lady Cynthia (voice) / Carrie / Effie Higgins / Piano Bar Patron (uncredited) / Gladys 18 episodes[15] 1964 The New Phil Silvers Show Gertrude / Mrs. Kerrigan 2 episodes[16] Kentucky Jones Dodie Wipple Episode: "The Dread Disease"[17] 1966 Vacation Playhouse Nurse Episode: "The Hoofer"[15] Daniel Boone Annie Boyd Episode: "The Symbol"[15] 1969 My World and Welcome to It Aunt Kate Episode: "The Disenchanted"[14] That Girl Dorothy Desmond Episode: "My Part Belongs to Daddy"[14] 1969–1974 Here's Lucy Second Woman / Mrs. Sheila Casten / Lillian Rylander / Ma Parker / Cynthia Duncan 5 episodes[15] 1971 Sarge Cass Episode: "Identity Crisis"[18] 1972–1974 McMillan & Wife Marnie / Carole Crenshaw 4 episodes[19][20] 1973 Lady Luck Fran Television film[21] 1974 Maude Marta Episode: "Walter's Ex"[15] 1975 Baretta Mrs. Marriott Episode: "Woman in the Harbor"[15] 1975–1976 Chico and the Man Flora 3 episodes[15] 1976 Ellery Queen Gossip Columnist Episode: "The Adventure of the Sinister Scenario"[22] Emergency! Nurse Episode: "The Nuisance"[15] Bronk Beatrice Episode: "The Vigilante"[15] 1976–1977 Charlie's Angels Madam Dorian / Hildy Slater 2 episodes[15] 1977 Starsky & Hutch Scorchy Episode: "Huggy Bear and the Turkey"[15] In the Glitter Palace Daisy Dolon Television film[15] Kojak Marie Stella 4 episodes[15] 1979 Rendezvous Hotel Lucille Greenwood Television film[21][6] 1980 Make Me an Offer Pru Babcock 1981 Darkroom Sally Anne Episode: "The Partnership"[23] 1982 Laverne & Shirley Mrs. Harmon Episode: "I Do, I Don't"[15] Strike Force Mitzi Episode: "The John Killer"[24] Trapper John, M.D. Natasha Episode: "The Object of My Affliction"[15] Knight Rider Sen. Maggie Flynn Episode: "Just My Bill"[15] Something So Right Cahuenga Television film[15] Hart to Hart Christine Garrick Episode: "One Hart Too Many"[15] CBS Children's Mystery Theatre Florence Dumont Episode: "The Zertigo Diamond Caper"[25] 1983 The Love Boat Phyllis Faraday Episode: "Paroled to Love / First Impressions / Love Finds Florence Nightingale"[15] Quincy, M.E. Winslow 2 episodes[15] Now We're Cookin' Marge Television film[26] 1983–1984 Capitol Sugar Laine [27] 1985, 1988 Murder, She Wrote Christine Carpenter / Shayna Grant 2 episodes[15] 1986 The A-Team Mrs. Prescott Episode: "Members Only"[15] Magnum, P.I. Sarah Tate Episode: "All Thieves on Deck"[15] 1986–1988 Cagney & Lacey Donna LaMarr 5 episodes[6] 1986–1987 Dynasty Cora Van Husen 4 episodes[28] 1987 Carly's Web Myrtle Television film[29] 1990 A Family for Joe Medium Episode: "The Medium"[24] 1993 Gloria Vane Mona Lewis Television film[30] 2000 Strip Mall Doreen Krudup Episode: "Burbank Bigfoot"[31] 2006 Grey's Anatomy Sophie Larson Episode: "Tell Me Sweet Little Lies"[15] 2014 Major Crimes Marcella Brewster Episode: "Frozen Assets"[32] 2015, 2018 Break a Hip Pearl Goodfish 3 episodes[33] Betty Garrett, Carole Cook and Michael Lee Stever in Arsenic and Old Lace Theatre Year Play Role Venue Ref. 1956 The Threepenny Opera Mrs. Peacham Off-Broadway, New York City [10] 1960 Kismet The Melody Tent, Pittsburgh [7] 1961 Parade Performer Hollywood Theatre Center, Los Angeles, CA 1961 The Matchmaker Dolly Levi Dallas Theatre Center, Dallas, Texas and Tour of Texas 1965–1966 Hello, Dolly! Dolly Levi Her Majesty's Theatre, Sydney; Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne; His Majesty's Theatre, Auckland [9] 1964 Stop the World – I Want to Get Off Evie [34] 1974, 1978 Father's Day Louise Huntington Hartford Theatre, Los Angeles (1974); Total Theatre, Melbourne; Mayfair Theatre, Sydney [35][36] 1979–1980 Romantic Comedy Blanche Dailey Broadway, New York [8] 1980–1984 42nd Street Maggie Jones Broadway; US Tour (1984), Tokyo, Japan 1981 Patio/Porch Pearl Dallas, Texas with Tom Troupe 1982 The Supporting Cast Huntington Hartford Theatre, Los Angeles, Summer Tour Also with Barbara Rush and Sandy Dennis [37] 1988–1989 Steel Magnolias Ouiser Boudreaux Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena; John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. National Tour With Barbara Rush, June Lockhart, and Marion Ross [38][39] 1992; 2007 Dress Up Herself Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena (1992); New Conservatory Theatre Center, San Francisco (2007) [40][41] 1994 The Lion in Winter Eleanor Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena [42] 1995 Ladies in Retirement Leonora Fiske Coconut Grove Playhouse, Miami [43] 1996 Radio Gals Hazel C. Hunt John Houseman Theatre, New York [44] 1998 Arsenic and Old Lace Aunt Martha Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with Betty Garrett 2002 Follies Hattie Walker Wadsworth Theatre, Los Angeles [45] 2006 70, Girls, 70 Gert Appleby New York City Center, New York [7] References
01/11

2023

Death

January 11, 2023

Death date

Old Age (98)

Cause of death

Beverly Hills, CA
Death location

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Obituary

Beloved Actress Passes Away At The Age Of 98 By Robert Winthrop - Updated December 11, 2023 The beloved actress Carole Cook has passed away at the age of ninety-eight. She was a longtime character actress as well as a protégé of the late-great Lucille Ball. Although she was born in 1924 in Abilene, Texas, and named Mildred Francis Cook, she eventually changed her name to Carole Cook after Lucille Ball urged her to do so, adopting the new Hollywood moniker for the remainder of her life. Ball helped Cook get her big break in Hollywood. The pair were very close, and Cook even moved in with Ball after her divorce from Desi Arnaz. Cook appeared alongside the famous comedic actress on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.” She also appeared on the game show “Password.” She also played the role of the grandmother in the popular program “Sixteen Candles.” You might also recognize her from appearances in other shows, including “Maude,” “Kojak,” “Dynasty,” and “Cagney & Lacey.” Cook’s death was confirmed to the media by her agent Robert Malcolm. He spoke to CNN about Cook’s death at the age of ninety-eight, claiming that the actress passed away from heart failure after living a long life in the Hollywood spotlight. She passed away on January 11, 2023, and would have reached her ninety-ninth birthday if she had made it to Saturday. Cook got her start in Hollywood while working at a theater in Ohio. She received a call from Lucille Ball asking her to drop everything and move to Hollywood to be part of the Desilu musical review. While working on the Ball production, Cook and Ball became friends and remained close for years. Later in her life, Cook would sometimes get mistaken for Ball. Social media erupted with tributes to Cook after news of her death became public. “Today we lost one of the greats- Carole Cook was making people laugh since the 1950s- on TV, in movies, and on stage. We became friends when we were in a Broadway play for a full year. At 98, that huge heart of hers just gave up. I love you, Carole.” “RIP to the legendary Carole Cook, who appeared in Season 7 of Laverne and Shirley as the hot-to-trot Mrs. Harmon on ‘I Do, I Don’t.’ She will be beyond missed.” “Carole Cook in Sixteen Candles Friend, fun at dinner parties and always cracking jokes. A super LGBTQ ally. The long ash on her ciggy.” Carole Cook’s death has left a major void in Hollywood. She will be remembered fondly for her wit, humor, and contributions to the entertainment industry. Her legacy as one of the most beloved character actresses of all time will live on long after she is gone. Carole Cook is survived by her beloved husband, actor Tom Troupe. She will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Carole Cook. You will be missed by all. You can watch the full interview of Let’s Talk to Carole from the Lucy Show. This was recorded for CBS Home Video in 2010.

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