Carole Cook (born Mildred Frances Cook in 1928 in Abilene, Texas, U.S.) is an American actress. She has appeared in many films and on television.
Carole Cook was a protege of Lucille Ball, she even gave her the stage name of "Carole", after Carole Lombard because, said Lucy, "you have the same healthy disrespect for all things in general". Cook appeared on two of her shows, The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. Ball was matron of honor at Cook's wedding in 1964 to actor Tom Troupe.
Carole has starred in films such as Sixteen Candles, Summer Lovers, Grandview, U.S.A., and Strip Mall. Her first film role was in the 1963 movie Palm Springs Weekend.
She has made guest appearances on numerous TV shows ranging from The Lucy Show, Here's Lucy, Knight Rider, Magnum, P.I., Murder, She Wrote and more recently, Grey's Anatomy. In 1974 she appeared as a bullying nurse in an episode of Emergency! in which Johnny Gage is injured by a hit-and-run driver.
In addition to her film and television work, Cook appeared in the original Broadway productions of 42nd Street and Romantic Comedy and was the second actress (after Carol Channing) to star as Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly.
Carole Cook is a longtime supporter of various AIDS organizations and regularly appears as a featured performer in the annual Los Angeles S.T.A.G.E. benefit.
Protege of Lucille Ball; lived in her home for a time.
Her brother, Leland Cook, and his sons have been in the vending machine business in Corsicana, Texas. They have built a planetarium on the campus of Navarro College, located in Corsicana.
Fondly known as "the Lunts of L.A. Theater", she and actor/husband Tom Troupe received a joint honorary 2002 Los Angeles Ovation Award for Career Achievements. They have co-starred in many plays together over the years, including "The Lion in Winter", "Father's Day", and "Patio/Porch".
For over two decades Carole has been heavily involved in the fight against AIDS by performing diligently at S.T.A.G.E. benefits.
Lucille Ball was the matron of honor at her 1964 wedding. Lucy also is credited for changing her stage name from Mildred Frances to Carole, in honor of Lucy's close friend Carole Lombard (I).
Singer/comedienne and a cabaret favorite in New York and Los Angeles, with scores of musical comedy shows to her credit: "Hello, Dolly!" and "Mame" among them.
Her nephew, Byron Cook, serves in the Texas State House of Representatives.
Her brother Leland Cook once worked in management of The Corsicana Daily Sun, the daily newspaper printed in Corsicana,Texas.
Great aunt of Christian recording star David L Cook
