Veteran stage and screen actor Tom Troupe, best known for his appearances in Star Trek and Mission: Impossible, has died at the age of 97 — just five days after his birthday.
A Life in the Spotlight
Troupe passed away from natural causes at his home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, on July 20. Born on July 15, 1928, in North Kansas City, Missouri, the actor leaves behind a legacy that spans more than seven decades in film, television, and theatre.
He is survived by:
• Son Christopher Troupe
• Daughter-in-law Becky Coulter
• Granddaughter Ashley Troupe
• Several nieces and nephews
Tom was married to actress Carole Cook (Sixteen Candles) from 1964 until her death in 2023 at the age of 98. Together, they shared a long and celebrated career in the arts.
From the Battlefield to Broadway
Before pursuing acting, Troupe served in the Korean War (1950–1953), earning a Bronze Star for his service. After the war, he moved to New York City and trained at the Herbert Berghof Studio, supported by a scholarship from legendary actress and teacher Uta Hagen.
He made his Broadway debut in 1957 as Peter van Daan in The Diary of Anne Frank alongside Joseph Schildkraut and Gusti Huber.
Television and Film Career Highlights
After moving to Los Angeles in 1958, Troupe built a prolific acting résumé throughout the 1960s to 1990s. His notable credits include:
• Star Trek (1967) – Lieutenant Matthew Harold
• Mission: Impossible (1967) – David Day
• The Fugitive
• The Wild Wild West
• Cagney and Lacey
• CHiPs
• Knots Landing
• Murder, She Wrote
• Cheers
His film work included:
• The Devil’s Brigade
• Kelly’s Heroes
• Summer School
• My Own Private Idaho
Stage Honors and Teaching Legacy
Tom Troupe was also a celebrated stage actor. Alongside his wife Carole Cook, he performed in The Lion in Winter, Father’s Day, and The Gin Game. The couple was jointly awarded the 2002 Los Angeles Ovation Award for Career Achievement.
He also co-wrote and performed the one-man play The Diary of a Madman and co-founded The Faculty, a Los Angeles-based acting school, alongside fellow performers Charles Nelson Reilly, Dom DeLuise, Lu Leonard, and John Erman.
Tributes and Legacy
Instead of flowers, the family has requested donations to:
• Entertainment Community Fund
• Pasadena Humane Society
Tom Troupe leaves behind a legacy of artistic excellence, discipline, and mentorship. He will be remembered as a versatile character actor, a dedicated war veteran, and a passionate educator who inspired generations on and off the stage.
