Carole Cook dead: Sixteen Candles and Broadway star dies aged 98 of heart failure | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

Carol Cooke, who has also been dubbed as Lucille Ball’s protégé, died on Wednesday after decades of roles on the stage and screen. Her husband, Tom Troupe, 94, announced Carole’s death just three days before her 99th birthday.

He said Carole’s cause of death was heart failure, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

She is perhaps best known for her role as Grandma Helen in the 1984 movie Sixteen Candles and as Don Knotts’ wife Bessie Limpet in 1964’s The Incredible Mr Limpet.

Carole and Lucille Ball worked together on The Lucy Show from 1963 to 1968 as well as spin-off Here’s Lucy from 1969 to 1974.

Lucille was maid-of-honour at Carole and Tom’s wedding in 1964. The couple have no children together.

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It is understood that they remained close friends until Lucille’s death in 1989.

Carole also had a host of appearances in titles including American Gigolo, Greys Anatomy and Palm Springs Weekend.

Her standout roles on stage included as Maggie Jones in the Tony Award-winning musical 42nd Street, as well as Blanche Dailey in Romantic Comedy.

Tributes have been flooding in from Carole’s famous friends and fans.

And her A Very Sordid Wedding co-star, Emerson Collins, added: “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. So much love to Tom.”