Tom Troupe, 'Mary Hartman,' 'Cheers' and 'Star Trek' actor, dies at 97

USA Today

21-07-2025

Broadway actor and writer Tom Troupe, best known for his television appearances in "Star Trek" and "Cheers" as well as film roles in "Kelly's Heroes" and "My Own Private Idaho," has died. He was 97.
Troupe died Sunday, July 20, in his Beverly Hills, California, home from natural causes, according to a press release. His death follows his late wife, "Sixteen Candles" actress Carole Cook, who died in 2023.
Troupe got his start on Broadway in 1957's "The Diary of Ann Frank." The Kansas City, Missouri, native also starred in a few stage productions with his wife of nearly 60 years: "The Lion in Winter," "Fathers Day" and "The Gin Game." He also cowrote the one-man play "The Diary of a Madman."
Troupe's lengthy inventory of TV credits include more than 75 appearances, including "Murder, She Wrote," "The Fugitive," "Mission: Impossible," "The Wild Wild West," "Knots Landing" and "Frasier." He starred as Bob Gilroy in "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman," Judge William E. Grey in "Cheers," Tancred Baumgartner in "ER" and Lt. Harold in the original "Star Trek" series.
The movies "The Big Fisherman," "The Devil's Brigade" and "Summer School" count among his more than 60 years of acting credits.
Troupe is survived by his son, Christopher Troupe, as well as a granddaughter.
Carole Cook, legend of theater and screen and close friend of Lucille Ball, dead at 98
Troupe's late wife, born Mildred Frances Cook, was an actress who had her own lengthy screen and stage career and had a close friendship with late comedy icon Lucille Ball. She died in 2023 of heart failure at age 98, three days before what would have been her 99th birthday.
Contributing: Charles Trepany