Tom Troupe, a veteran actor of both stage and screen known for his roles in classic TV shows like Star Trek, Cheers, and Mission: Impossible, passed away from natural causes at his Beverly Hills home on Sunday morning. He was 97 years old.
Troupe died on July 20, just five days after turning 97 on July 15. The news of his death was confirmed by his representative to several media outlets, and his nephew, Mark Cocanougher, shared the news of his peaceful passing on social media.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 15, 1928, Troupe started his acting journey in local theaters before moving to New York City in 1948 at age 20. He was awarded a scholarship by renowned actress and teacher Uta Hagen, allowing him to study at the Herbert Berghof Studio, where he trained alongside peers like Geraldine Page, Jason Robards, Sandy Dennis, and Lee Grant.
Troupe’s career was paused for military service during the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star. After returning to New York, he made his Broadway debut in 1957, playing Peter van Daan in The Diary of Ann Frank with Joseph Schildkraut.
In 1958, Troupe moved to Los Angeles, beginning a television career that spanned more than sixty years. He appeared in over 75 television programs, often as a guest star in single-episode roles that highlighted his abilities as a character actor.
Some of his most memorable TV roles included Lieutenant Harold in the original Star Trek series, IMF operative David Day in Mission: Impossible, and Judge William E. Grey on Cheers. His broad range of television credits also includes The Fugitive, The Wild Wild West, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Cagney & Lacey, CHiPs, Knots Landing, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Murder, She Wrote, Frasier, and ER.
Troupe’s filmography features roles in The Big Fisherman (1959), The Devil’s Brigade (1968), Kelly’s Heroes (1970), Summer School (1987), and My Own Private Idaho (1991). He also co-wrote and acted in the 1968 movie Sofi, adapted from a play based on Nikolai Gogol’s Diary of a Madman.
Despite his extensive screen work, Troupe kept strong ties to theater. He appeared in numerous stage productions, such as The Lion in Winter, Fathers Day, and The Gin Game, all with his wife, actress Carole Cook. He also toured nationally in Same Time Next Year with Barbara Rush and performed in the Broadway production of Romantic Comedy starring Mia Farrow.
Troupe and Cook married in 1964, starting a nearly 60-year journey together as husband and wife and professional partners. Cook, an accomplished actress in her own right and a protégé of Lucille Ball, passed away in January 2023 at age 98, just days before what would have been her 99th birthday due to heart failure.
In 2002, Troupe and Cook became the first married couple to receive the Theatre Ovation Award for Career Achievement in honor of their significant contributions to theater in Los Angeles. The pair were fondly called the “Lunts of L.A. Theater,” referencing the famed Broadway couple Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
Reflecting on their impact, Troupe’s nephew remarked, “Tom and my aunt, Carole Cook, touched many lives, and I’m grateful for any positive influence they brought to their numerous friends and fans.”
Troupe’s career was a testament to endurance in a changing industry. He worked well into the 21st century, with appearances in the web series Break a Hip and the 2019 short film Time Out. His ability to evolve with the times while maintaining his craft over seven decades made him a deeply respected figure among his peers.
He was known for his commitment and discipline, especially in his approach to guest-starring roles. Rather than chasing lead parts, he brought sincerity and depth to every character, often making a memorable impact in just a single episode.
Troupe leaves behind his son Christopher Troupe, daughter-in-law Becky Coulter, granddaughter Ashley Troupe, and several nieces and nephews. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Entertainment Community Fund or the Pasadena Humane Society.
