Mission: ImpossibleandStar TrekactorTom Troupedied on Sunday, July 20, at the age of 97. A veteran actor of both the stage and screen, Troupe was especially prolific on television. He had many memorable guest-starring roles, notably playing IMF operative David Day inMission: Impossible,Star TrekStarfleet officerLt. Harold, and Judge William E. Grey inCheers.
According toCBS News, Troupe’s representative confirmed his death, though no other details were revealed.The Hollywood Reporternotes that the actor passed away in his Beverly Hills home five days after his birthday and was believed to have died of natural causes.Troupe leaves behind a lasting legacy on the small screen, with more than 70 TV appearances throughout his career.
Tom Troupe Left Behind A Lasting Legacy On The Small Screen
In the almost 65 years he was active in Hollywood, Troupe made television guest-acting an art form. Rarely appearing in a series for more than one episode,the actor’s credits also includeThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.,The Fugitive,Cagney & Lacey, CHiPS,Quincy, M.E.,Murder, She Wrote,Frasier, andER.
ER(1998)
Tancred Baumgartner
Hailing from North Kansas City, Missouri, Troupe decided to pursue acting and moved to New York in 1948. Before his career could take off, he first served in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star. Troupe would return to New York following his service, andmade his Broadway debut in 1957, playing Peter inThe Diary of Anne Frank.
A decade later, Troupe moved to Los Angeles, a successful move that launched his impressive television career. In addition to his TV credits, the actor appeared in the filmMy Own Private Idahoandco-wrote and starred inSofi, an adaptation of a play based on “Diary of a Madman,“a short story by Nikolai Gogol.
Tom Troupe Was Married To Late Actress Carole Cook
They Appeared In Several Plays Together
Troupe married actress Carole Cook in 1964. Though Cook was most famous for her appearances inLucille Ball’s seriesThe Lucy ShowandHere’s Lucy, she was also a stage actor like her husband. The couple appeared in productions such asThe Lion in Winter,Father’s Day, andThe Gin Game.Cook died in 2023, two years before her husband.
Troupe and Cook are survived by their son, Christopher Troupe, and daughter-in-law, Becky Coulter. In a moving tribute, Troupe’s nephew,Mark Cocanougher, shared a post dedicated to his uncle on Instagram. Cocanougher wrote that Troupe and Cook “touched many lives, and I’m grateful for any positive impact they have had among so many friends and fans through their work and generous spirit.”
