Acclaimed stage and screen actor Tom Troupe, celebrated for his six-decade-long career across Broadway, film, and television, passed away at the age of 97 at his Beverly Hills home. The news was confirmed by his publicist Harlan Boll and reported by Deadline and other media outlets. He died of natural causes.
Troupe was widely known for his appearances in classic television series including ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘Cheers,’ and ‘Frasier,’ and had over 75 TV credits to his name.
Born on July 15, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, Troupe began his acting journey in local theatre before moving to New York City in the 1940s. He studied under legendary acting coach Uta Hagen at the Herbert Berghof Studio. A Bronze Star recipient, he also served in the Korean War.
Troupe made his Broadway debut in 1957 with The Diary of Anne Frank and relocated to Los Angeles in 1958, kick-starting a prolific career in Hollywood. He featured in iconic shows like The Wild Wild West, CHiPs, Cagney & Lacey, ER, Knots Landing, and Murder, She Wrote. His film credits include Kelly’s Heroes, The Devil’s Brigade, Summer School, and My Own Private Idaho alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
A passionate stage performer, Troupe frequently acted alongside his wife of nearly 60 years, Carole Cook, until her passing in 2023. Together, they starred in productions such as The Lion in Winter, Father’s Day, and The Gin Game, earning the 2002 Theatre Ovation Award for Career Achievement—the first couple to be honored jointly.
Troupe also toured with Barbara Rush in Same Time, Next Year, and starred in his co-written play The Diary of a Madman.
Troupe leaves behind a legacy of artistic excellence and a lasting imprint on American theatre and television.
