Tom Troupe, Stage and Screen Actor Who Appeared in ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Cagney & Lacey,’ Dies at 97

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The stage and screen actor Tom Troupe, who graced many productions in the late 1990s including My Own Private Idaho, Star Trek, Cagney & Lacey, and Mission: Impossible, has passed away at the age of 97.

Five days following his birthday, he passed away peacefully at his residence in Beverly Hills, as a result of natural circumstances, according to a representative from his family.

1928 saw the birth of Troupe in Kansas City, Missouri. He started his career in acting with local theater performances, then shifted base to New York City in 1948. Subsequently, he enrolled at the Herbert Berghof Studio following a scholarship bestowed upon him by the esteemed actress and teacher Uta Hagen, who recognized his potential as an actor.

Following his service in the Korean War, during which he received a Bronze Star, Troupe set foot back in New York City and graced the Broadway stage for the first time in 1957, portraying Peter van Daan in “The Diary of Anne Frank”. Joseph Schildkraut was also part of this star-studded production.

The year after, he relocated to Los Angeles, a city where he would go on to feature in numerous films and television shows spanning the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. His acting résumé encompassed roles in productions like The Fugitive, Mission: Impossible, The Wild, Wild West, Star Trek, Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, Cagney & Lacey, CHiPs, Knots Landing, Murder, She Wrote, Cheers, The Big Fisherman, The Devil’s Brigade, Kelly’s Heroes, Summer School, and My Own Private Idaho.

In addition to his roles in other plays, he partnered with his wife, Carole Cook, on stages for productions like “The Lion in Winter“, “Fathers Day“, and “The Gin Game“. Moreover, he was part of the national tour for “Same Time Next Year” alongside Barbara Rush, performed in the Broadway show “Romantic Comedy“, where Mia Farrow starred, and staged his own one-man play “The Diary of a Madman“, which he co-authored.

Among the individuals who carry on his legacy are his son Christopher Troupe, alongside his beloved daughter-in-law Becky Coulter; their daughter Ashley Troupe, as well as numerous other cherished nieces and nephews. Regrettably, his spouse Cook passed away in 2023.

Instead of sending me blooms, I’d prefer if you considered making a donation to either the Entertainment Community Fund or the Pasadena Humane Society in my honor. Gaming brings me joy, and supporting these organizations that help those in need within the entertainment industry and care for animals aligns perfectly with that passion. Thank you!

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2025-07-21 00:54