The Tragic Death Of Sixteen Candles Actor Carole Cook
Carole Cook, film actor and Broadway star who is most recognized for her role as Grandma Helen in the cult-favorite 1980s movie "Sixteen Candles," has died. She was 98 years old.
Her death was confirmed by her agent Robert Malcolm to CNN. The celeb died "peacefully" on January 11 due to heart-related health issues. Her husband, actor Tom Troupe, said Cook died just three days before her 99th birthday.
Cook's career got its much-deserved boost when she was encouraged by Lucille Ball to come to Hollywood. At the time, she still went by her real name and only changed her moniker upon the urging of Ball, per The Hollywood Reporter. Born Mildred Frances Cook, she switched to Carole Cook to give tribute to one of her favorite actors, Carole Lombard. She appeared on "The Lucy Show" as Lucy Carmichael's friend Thelma Green between 1963 and 1968. She also had appearances on "Here Lucy," and in the '70s, she started forging a career on Broadway. But while Cook had quite an illustrious career, she was also known for getting into trouble with the United States Secret Service in 2018.
Fans remember Carole Cook fondly for her wit
Carole Cook was not only remembered for her talents in acting, but she was also revered for her impeccable comedic timing and sharp wit. In fact, she once found herself in a pickle with the government for making a joke that didn't sit well with the U.S. Secret Service. In 2018, TMZ asked her about then-President Donald Trump. "Where's John Wilkes Booth when you need him?" Cook replied.
Suffice it to say, the Secret Service did not take it lightly, and she was soon the subject of investigation. But Cook assured that she had been treated cordially. And besides, she couldn't go to jail, as stripes apparently didn't suit her well. "They couldn't have been nicer," she recalled. "'I said, 'I can't go to prison, the stripes are horizontal, they don't look good on me.'"
It is her humor and nonchalance that fans will miss, with one saying, "Carole Cook was grand ol' broad in the biggest and best sense of the word. Carole had the sharpest of tongues and a twinkle in her eye at all times. A true star and the life of every party. She wrung every drop from life and flung it around just to be sure." Another shared: "I swear I met this woman in the late 1970's ... I remember her telling me that a man doesn't even become interesting until he's past 30. She was a trip, cool as hell, and had a wonderful personality." RIP, Carole Cook.