Sixteen Candles and Broadway star Carole Cook dies of heart failure

12 January 2023 , 03:43

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Carole Cook has died aged 98 (Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Actress Carole Cook has died just days before her 99th birthday.

Her death was confirmed by her husband Tom Troupe, 94, who said she passed away in Berverly Hills of heart failure.

Carole, whose successful career spanned over five decades, was best known for starring her roles in Sixteen Candles and The Lucy Show.

She was one of Hollywood icon Lucille Ball's best friends - as well as being her protege. Their relationship led to Carole appearing on The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy on a number of occasions.

She worked on The Lucy Show between 1963 and 1968, appearing in 18 episodes as Lucy Carmichael's friend Thelma Green.

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In the 1984 hit Sixteen Candles, Carole starred as Helen, who was the grandmother of Molly Ringwald's character Sam Baker.

Carole Cook on The Lucy Show (Desilu Productions)

Elsewhere, Carole featured alongside Don Knotts in the comedy film The Incredible Mr Limpet in 1964, and 1980's American Gigolo, Summer Lovers from 1982 and the 1984 film titled Grandview USA.

On the small screen, her credits include That Girl, Maude and Kojak, as well as a short stint on Dynasty.

Away from filming, Carole had many roles on the stage. She starred as the second actress behind Carol Channing to play the role of Dolly Levi in Hello, Doll on Broadway in 1965.

She received a number of awards throughout her career, including the Theatre Ovation Award for Lifetime Career Achievement in 2002. She was honoured alongside her husband as the pair became the first husband and wife duo to be given the accolade.

Carole Cook on Incredible Mr Limpet in 1964 (Snap/REX/Shutterstock)

In 2015, Carole spoke about how she would like to be remembered when she died. She told reporters: "As somebody who brought a little difference to people’s lives for the good.

"We all want to be beloved, and that would be nice. I’d like for them to think, I’m glad I knew her."

Fans took to social media to pay their respects as the news broke. One Twitter user penned: "The legendary Carole Cook has left the stage. There are no words. She and her husband, Tom Troupe, were wonderful, supportive friends to me. We laughed together, and we cried together."

Another tweeted: "R.I.P. to another Hollywood great. Thank you for everything you did."

Jamie Roberts