{

Eugene Harrison Roche (September 22, 1928 - July 28, 2004) was an American actor.

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Roche was the original "Ajax Man" in 1970s television commercials. He was the father of 9 children including actors Eamonn Roche, Brogan Roche, and Emmy Award- winning writer/producer Sean Roche. Roche died in Los Angeles, California from a heart attack, aged 75.

Adept at both comedy and drama, character player Eugene Roche (sometimes billed as Gene Roche) had an extensive four-decade career. Born in Depression-era Boston the son of a Navy man, the moon-faced, intent-looking Roche started on radio at age 15 displaying his knack for character voices, both men and women. He enlisted in the U.S. Army following high school, then studied at Emerson College. Searching for work in summer stock and variety shows, he appeared in productions of "Pal Joey" with Bob Fosse and "Point of No Return" with Henry Fonda. Newly married at this time, he found classical stage parts to play in early 50s San Francisco, then headed for New York and began appearing in dramatic TV shows and commercials. He made his Broadway debut with "Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole" starring Darren McGavin and went on to do "The White House" with Helen Hayes (I) and "Mother Courage" with Anne Bancroft (I). Comedy became his forte on TV with showy recurring roles on "Soap" (1977),"Night Court" (1984), and "Perfect Strangers" (1986), while choice support parts came his way on film, including Late Show, The (1977) and Foul Play (1978) -- some roles cantankerous, some lovable, some menacing. The father of nine children, three of his male offspring have opted for entertainment careers: Eamonn Roche and Brogan Roche are actors, and Sean Roche (III) is an Emmy award-winning writer and producer.