Impossible’ actor dead at 97

Veteran actor Tom Troupe has died. He was 97.

Troupe passed away due to natural causes at his Beverly Hills home on Sunday morning, his spokesperson confirmed to several media outlets.

Troupe’s nephew, Mark Cocanougher, also shared the sad news on Instagram.

“My uncle, Tom Troupe, died peacefully at home this morning,” Cocanougher wrote. “He had a lovely, full life, and an equally graceful departure. His dear son, Christopher Troupe, was here all day yesterday, and that was such a source of peace for them and for me.”

“I know that Tom and my aunt, Carole Cook, touched many lives, and I’m grateful for any positive impact they have had among so many friends and fans through their work and generous spirit,” the tribute added.

Born on July 15, 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri, Troupe performed in local theater productions before he moved to New York City in 1948 and studied acting at the Herbert Berghof Studio.

After serving in the Korean War, Troupe returned to NYC and made his Broadway debut in 1957 as Peter van Daan in the production of “The Diary of Ann Frank.”

Troupe later moved to Los Angeles and landed roles in dozens of movies and TV shows.

On the big screen, he appeared in “The Big Fisherman,” “The Devil’s Brigade,” “Che!,” “Kelly’s Heroes,” “Making It,” “Summer School” and “My Own Private Idaho,” while his television credits included “Star Trek,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “Cheers,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Murder She Wrote” and “Who’s the Boss?”

Troupe was also in other stage productions such as “The Lion in Winter,” “The Gin Game” and “Father’s Day,” all of which co-starred his late wife Carole Cook.

In addition, Troupe starred in the national tour of “Same Time Next Year” with Barbara Rush, the Broadway production of “Romantic Comedy” with Mia Farrow and his one-actor play “The Diary of a Madman.”

Cook, who had her own prolific acting career that involved being Lucille Ball’s protégé, died of heart failure in 2023 at age 98.

In 2002, the couple were the first husband and wife to receive the Theatre Ovation Award for Career Achievement.

Troupe is survived by his son Christopher Troupe, daughter-in-law Becky Coulter, granddaughter Ashley Troupe and several nieces and nephews.