Veteran performer Tom Troupe has passed away at 97 in his Beverly Hills residence from natural causes, five days after his birthday on July 15.
The accomplished actor’s death was confirmed by publicist Harlan Boll on Sunday morning.
Troupe leaves behind son Christopher, daughter-in-law Becky Coulter, granddaughter Ashley, and numerous nieces and nephews.
His spouse of nearly six decades, actress Carole Cook, preceded him in death in 2023 from heart failure at 98.
The Missouri-born actor enjoyed a remarkable career spanning over six decades, featuring in more than 75 television programmes and numerous films from the 1950s through to the late 2010s.
His extensive credits encompassed both stage and screen work across Broadway and Hollywood.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on 15th July 1928, Troupe initially performed in regional theatre before relocating to New York City in 1948.
He secured a scholarship to the Herbert Berghof Studio in Manhattan, where he trained under renowned actress and instructor Uta Hagen.
His acting pursuits were interrupted by military service during the Korean conflict from 1950 to 1953, where he earned a Bronze Star for his contributions.
Following his return from combat, Troupe achieved his Broadway breakthrough in 1957, portraying Peter van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank alongside Joseph Schildkraut and Gusti Huber.
In 1958, he relocated to Los Angeles, establishing the foundation for his extensive Hollywood career that would span multiple decades.
His television appearances encompassed iconic programmes including Star Trek, where he portrayed Lieutenant Matthew Harold in 1967, and Mission: Impossible, featuring him as David Day the same year.
Throughout the 1960s to 1990s, Troupe featured in The Fugitive, The Wild, Wild West, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Cagney & Lacey, CHiPs, Knots Landing, Murder, She Wrote, Cheers, Frasier, and ER.
His film portfolio included The Big Fisherman, The Devil’s Brigade with William Holden in 1968, Clint Eastwood’s Kelly’s Heroes in 1970, Mark Harmon’s comedy Summer School in 1987, and My Own Private Idaho alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves.
This extensive body of work established Troupe as a versatile performer across multiple genres and formats.
Troupe’s theatrical collaborations with wife Carole Cook included productions of The Lion in Winter, Fathers Day, and The Gin Game.
The couple received the 2002 Los Angeles Theatre Ovation Award for Career Achievement, becoming the first married pair to receive this honour.
Additional stage work featured a national tour of Same Time, Next Year opposite Barbara Rush in the late 1970s and Broadway’s Romantic Comedy alongside Mia Farrow.
Troupe also co-authored and performed the one-person production The Diary of a Madman.
He co-established The Faculty, a Los Angeles acting school, with Charles Nelson Reilly, Lu Leonard, John Erman, and Dom DeLuise.
Memorial contributions have been requested for the Entertainment Community Fund or the Pasadena Humane Society rather than flowers.
Taking to social media, several fans have shared tributes to the veteran actor, with one writing: “RIP Tom Troupe who passed away yesterday, just days after celebrating his 97th birthday.”
“Sad TV news…RIP Tom Troupe, who was active in guest roles on television and on the stage across his lengthy career,” a second penned.
A third fan wrote: “A true character actor,” while another shared: “Rest in peace Tom Troupe. He was also in Kelly’s Heroes.”
“RIP Tom Troupe #rip #tomtroupe #summerschool1987,” a fifth added.
One more commented: “RIP, 97 is a very good life.” (sic)
