Iconic American TV Actress Gloria Stroock Dies Aged 99

Popular actress Gloria Stroock, best known for her role as Rock Hudson’s secretary on McMillan & Wife, and for appearing in films such as “Fun With Dick and Jane” and “The Day of the Locusts,” passed away this week at the age of 99.

The news of Stroock’s death was confirmed by her daughter, Kate Stern to The Hollywood Reporter.

Gloria was born in New York City on July 10, 1924.

Throughout her career, Stroock appeared in both films and television. Some of her notable roles include “The Competition,” “The Day of the Locusts,” “Archie Bunker’s Place,” “Martin Kane,” “Private Eye,” and “Operation Petticoat.”

The Hollywood Reporter reports,

She made it to Broadway in 1945, appearing in Oh, Brother and as Meg in a revival of Little Women; worked on such TV anthology shows as Kraft Theater, Starlight Theater and Studio One; modeled for Look and Life magazines; and sat for portraits painted by renowned artist Eugene Speicher.

She came to Los Angeles after marrying Stern in a ceremony at the St. Regis Hotel in New York. (Phil Silvers was an usher in their wedding party.)

Stroock played Rose Kennedy in the 1977 ABC telefilm Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy and also showed up on episodes of Mama, Martin Kane, The Snoop Sisters, Baretta, Operation Petticoat and Archie Bunker’s Place and in Kotcheff’s 1983 film Uncommon Valor.

As a member of Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills, she starred in Driving Miss Daisy and other plays for 35 years. Her memoir, Cast of Characters, was published when she was 93, and she had a solo exhibition of her sculpting work at 95.

She died at the home of her son, Emmy-nominated film editor Michael Stern (The X-Files, Angel, Orange Is the New Black).

In addition to her son and daughter, survivors include her daughter-in-law, Laura; grandchildren Ryan and Dylan; and great-grandchildren Gabriella, Jackson, Grayson, Noir and J.J.

The Hollywood Reporter

Rest in peace Gloria!