Beloved Actor of TV's Golden Era Confirmed Dead at 97 by Family
If you watched TV in the '60s, '70s, or '80s, chances are Tom Troupe made a cameo in your living room. The veteran actor—who guest-starred on Star Trek, Cheers, and Mission: Impossible—died on Sunday, July 20. He was 97.
'My uncle, Tom Troupe, died peacefully at home this morning,' Troupe's nephew, Mark Cocanougher, wrote on Instagram. 'He had a lovely, full life, and an equally graceful departure. His dear son, Christopher Troupe, was here all day yesterday, and that was such a source of peace for them and for me. I know that Tom and my aunt, Carole 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.'
Troupe's death was also confirmed by his longtime publicist, Harlan Boll, who told the Los Angeles Times he died of natural causes.
After the news broke, it didn't take long for the internet to react.
'We lost a dear dear friend today,' one person captioned a photo of himself smiling alongside Troupe. 'Tom was a brilliant actor and devoted husband. We miss your jokes and stories and true friendship… Godspeed, Tom.'
Entertainment reporter George Pennacchio also honored Troupe's legacy, writing, 'You may not know his name but Tom Troupe performed for decades on Broadway, on TV and in movies… He made his Broadway debut in 1957 in The Diary of Anne Frank… Tom was married to actress Carole Cook for almost 60 years, until her passing in 2023.'
Even the I Love Lucy fan community paid respects. The Lucy Lounge wrote, 'We are saddened to learn of the passing of Tom Troupe, longtime friend of Lucy and family… He and his beloved Carole were one of show business's most devoted couples.'
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Born July 15, 1928, in North Kansas City, Missouri, Troupe moved to New York in 1948 and studied under Uta Hagen on scholarship. He served in the Korean War and was awarded a Bronze Star. In 1957, he made his Broadway debut as Peter van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank.
He relocated to Los Angeles in 1958, where he quickly became a staple in episodic television, with credits on more than 75 classic shows including The Fugitive, Knots Landing, CHiPs, Cagney & Lacey, Frasier, The Wild Wild West, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and Archie Bunker's Place.
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Beyond TV, Troupe appeared in The Big Fisherman, The Devil's Brigade, Summer School, and My Own Private Idaho.
He was married to actress Carole Cook from 1964 until her death in 2023. Together, the two shared the stage in productions like The Lion in Winter, The Gin Game, and Father's Day. They were honored with a joint L.A. Ovation Award for Career Achievement in 2002.
Troupe is survived by his son Christopher Troupe, daughter-in-law Becky Coulter, granddaughter Ashley Troupe, and several nieces and nephews.
Beloved Actor of TV's Golden Era Confirmed Dead at 97 by Family first appeared on Parade on Jul 21, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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