A Star Remembered: Tom Troupe, Iconic Actor of 'Star Trek' and 'Mission: Impossible', Passes Away at 97
TOM TRUPE'S TUMULTUOUS TALE: THE ACTOR WHO OUTLIVED HIS WIVES AND FILMED HIS WAY TO FAME
In a shocking turn of events, veteran actor Tom Troupe has left us at the ripe age of 97, leaving behind a legacy that's as long as it is fascinating. The Scholarly Note can confirm that the Star Trek and Mission: Impossible star breathed his last on July 20th, just five days after celebrating his birthday in style.
Born in North Kansas City, Missouri, Tom Troupe's early life was marked by adventure - he studied at the prestigious Herbert Berghof Studio in Manhattan before serving in the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star for his bravery. But it was on the silver screen that Tom truly made his mark, with a career spanning over six decades and including iconic roles in The Fugitive, The Wild, Wild West, and Murder She Wrote.
Tom's personal life was just as dramatic - he was married twice, first to Sally Singer, with whom he had a son, Christopher. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1962, but not before Tom had established himself as a rising star on Broadway, making his debut in The Diary of Anne Frank alongside Joseph Schildkraut and Gusti Huber.
Tom's second wife, the lovely Carole Cook, was a Hollywood icon in her own right - the actress, known for her roles in Sixteen Candles and The Love Bug, passed away just last year at the age of 98. The couple met while co-starring in The Lion in Winter on stage and were married from 1964 until Carole's passing.
But it was Tom's work on TV that truly catapulted him to fame - his roles as David Day in Mission: Impossible and Lieutenant Matthew Harold in Star Trek cemented his status as a beloved character actor. Fans of the iconic shows will recall Tom's dashing good looks and charming performances, which earned him a loyal following across generations.
Off-screen, Tom was known for his philanthropic efforts, co-founding The Faculty, an acting school based in Los Angeles, alongside Charles Nelson Reilly, Lu Leonard, John Erman, and Dom DeLuise. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to either the Entertainment Community Fund or the Pasadena Humane Society.
As news of Tom's passing spreads, fans and colleagues alike are mourning the loss of a true Hollywood legend - one who lived life on his own terms, and left behind a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
