Carole Cook

Carole Cook was an American actress remembered for her appearances on Lucille Ball's television comedies The Lucy Show and Here's Lucy. Born in Abilene, Texas, she studied Greek drama at Baylor University and, after graduating in 1945, worked in regional theater before moving to New York by 1954, where she made her theatrical debut. Ball, impressed by her success in Annie Get Your Gun, brought her to Desilu Studios and gave her the stage name Carole, after Carole Lombard. Her film credits included The Incredible Mr. Limpet (1964), American Gigolo (1980), Sixteen Candles (1984), The Gauntlet (1977), Grandview, U.S.A. (1984), and Summer Lovers (1982), and she voiced Pearl Gesner in the animated Home on the Range (2004). She also made guest appearances on series such as Dynasty and Grey's Anatomy. Her stage work included the original Broadway runs of 42nd Street and Romantic Comedy, and she followed Carol Channing as Dolly Levi in Hello, Dolly!