‘Sixteen Candles’ actor, friend of Lucille Ball
LOS ANGELES — Actor Carole Cook, known for her work in “Sixteen Candles” and “The Lucy Show,” died Wednesday. She was 98.
Ms. Cook’s manager, Robert Malcom, told the Los Angeles Times that the actor “went peacefully” and was with her husband, actor Tom Troupe, when she died Wednesday in Beverly Hills, Calif. Mark Cocanougher, Ms. Cook’s nephew, also announced the news on Facebook.
“Carole departed in peace and comfort having lived a long and wonderful life doing the work that she loved,” Mr. Cocanougher wrote. “She made many friends, and I know they will all miss her spirit, humor, and talent on the stage, and for life in general. And that’s pretty great.”
Born Mildred Frances Cook, in Abilene, Texas, she was in her mid-30s when she began her acting career, in 1959, as a performer on Lucille Ball’s “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.”
There she got to know Ball, who would become a close friend and eventually convinced Ms. Cook to change her name from Mildred to Carole — a nod to actor Carole Lombard. With her new name and new acting experience, Ms. Cook began booking more roles.
From 1963 to 1968, Ms. Cook appeared in various roles on “The Lucy Show” opposite Ball. She continued working with the comedy legend in CBS’ “Here’s Lucy.”
The two actors were so
close that Ball was Ms. Cook’s matron-of-honor when she married Mr. Troupe in 1964, according to a Facebook post from Mr. Troupe’s publicist.
During the 1970s, Ms. Cook appeared in several television projects, including “Starsky & Hutch,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Kojak” and “Maude.”
With the 1980s came more film roles. In John Hughes’ 1984 film “Sixteen Candles,” she portrayed Grandma Helen opposite Molly Ringwald’s Sam.
Beyond TV and film, Ms. Cook was also known for her stage work. In 1980, she originated the role of Maggie Jones in the Broadway production of “42nd Street.”
Her stage bona fides also include turns in “Romantic Comedy,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “The Threepenny Opera.”
In 1992, Ms. Cook brought her one-woman show, “Dress Up,” to the Pasadena Playhouse, where she mused on her Texas upbringing, her snarky grandmother and more.
“Here is my life! If you don’t like it, you can go take a hike!” she said during the show.