Carole Cook, the actress who used Lucille Ball’s career boost to launch a career that included three Broadway appearances and roles in Sixteen Candles and The Incredible Mr. Limpet, has died, glamsquad reports.
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Cook died just days before her 99th birthday, at the age of 98. Her husband, Tom Troupe, 94, confirmed her death, saying she died of heart failure in Beverly Hills.
The legendary entertainer had a long and successful career. According to Variety, the Texas native moved to California at the request of her mentor, Lucille Ball.
The “I Love Lucy” star even persuaded Mildred to change her name from Mildred to Carole.
Cook made a cameo appearance in a 1959 episode of Ball’s “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse,” then went on to appear in 18 episodes of “The Lucy Show” from 1963 to 1968, followed by five episodes of “Here’s Lucy” from 1969 to 1974.
Cook’s résumé also included episodes of The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, That Girl, McMillan & Wife, Chico and the Man, Magnum, P.I., Dynasty, Hart to Hart and Grey’s Anatomy, where she sang “Stormy Weather”. She was also in The Gauntlet (1977), American Gigolo (1980), Summer Lovers (1982), and Home on the Range (1983). (2004).
Throughout her career, she received numerous honors, including the Theatre Ovation Award for Lifetime Career Achievement in 2002. She was honored alongside her husband, making them the first husband and wife team to receive the honor.