RIP CAROLE COOK

1924-2023

Carole Cook was born Mildred Frances Cook in Abilene, Texas. She was a close friend and protégé of Lucille Ball, and lived in Ball’s home early in her career. Ball was the matron of honor at Cook’s 1964 wedding to actor Tom Troupe. Ball is credited for suggesting Cook change her stage name from Mildred Frances to Carole, in honor of Ball’s close friend Carole Lombard.  During her long career, she was sometimes ghost singer for her mentor, Lucille Ball. 

Cook also worked on stage, appearing in the original 1980 production of 42nd Street. She was well-known for her cabret act. Prior to that she appeared in the Bernard Slate play Romantic Comedy (1979). 

Cook was a meember of the Desilu Playhouse and performed in their 1959 Christmas Revue. 

In January 1965, Cook played “Password” with her friend Lucille Ball. They played again in September 1966. 

Her second motion picture was the hit The Incredible Mr. Lippett (1964) playing Bessie, wife of the title character played by Don Knotts. 

THE LUCY SHOW

Cook made four appearances playing Thelma Green on “The Lucy Show,” and played Mrs. Valance in three episodes. She played a variety of other characters in 11 others.

As Thelma Green when “Lucy and Viv Are Volunteer Firemen” (1963)

As Thelma Green (with Mary Jane Croft) in “Lucy Drives a Dump Truck” (1963)

As Thelma Green (with Dorothy Konrad) in “Lucy’s Barbershop Quartet” (1963)

As Milroy University alumnus Betty Jo Hansen (with Lyle Talbot) in “Lucy’s College Reunion” (1963)

As Thelma Green when “Lucy Takes a Job at the Bank” (1964)

As Mrs. Valance, Society Editor, at a wine tasting in “Lucy and the Countess” (1965)

As Thelma Green, judging Lucy’s pie, when “Lucy Enters a Baking Contest” (1964)

As Mrs. Valance (with Ann Sothern) in “My Fair Lucy” (1965)

As Mrs. Valance in “Lucy the Stockholder” (1965)

As Mrs. Baldwin (with Max Showalter), board member of the Danfield Community Players, in “Lucy and Arthur Godfrey” (1965)

Gambling (with Douglas Deane and Bennett Green) when “Lucy Goes To Vegas” (1965)

As Aunt Carrie, a resident of the small town of Bancroft when “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (1967)

As Effie Higgins, wife of Homer, in “Lucy and Tennessee Ernie Ford” (1967)

As a piano bar patron (with George DeNormand) in “Lucy and Phil Harris” (1968)

As bank teller Gladys in “Lucy and Sid Caesar” (1968), her final series appearance

HERE’S LUCY

Cook provided the introduction for one of the episodes on the DVD release. 

As notorious crime boss Ma Parker in “Lucy and Ma Parker” (1970)

In the audience of the “Carol Burnett Show” in “Lucy and Carol Burnett” (1969)

As Harry’s old girlfriend Lillian Rylander in “Lucy the Part-Time Wife” (1970)

As Mrs. Sheila Casten, who has trouble with her toaster, in “Lucy the Crusader” (1970)

As Cynthia, contestant in the Lucille Ball Look-Alike Contest, when “Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball” (1974). This was Cook’s final series appearance. 

CODA

On a 1974 episode of “Maude” starring Bea Arthur and as Mrs. Dobrun in the 1980 film American Gigolo starring Richard Gere, Cook wore a dress gifted to her by Lucille Ball. Ball had worn the dress as Lucy Ricardo in “The Celebrity Next Door” (1957) starring Tallulah Bankhead. It was later sold at auction. 

Cook was survived by her husband, Tom Troupe. She died in Beverly Hills, just days before her 99th birthday.