Gloria Stroock

Veteran actress Gloria Jane Stroock was the daughter of James Stroock, president of the Brooks Costume and Uniform Company which supplied costumes to Broadway and to the film industry from 1914. It had been founded five years prior by Ely Stroock (1864-1949). Gloria's mother Bianca was a costume designer and her younger sister was the actress Geraldine Brooks. Gloria began acting on Broadway from the mid-40s (her roles including that of Meg in 'Little Women'). After moving to California, she frequently performed at Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills and subsequently served on the board of directors. She first acted on screen in a 1948 anthology drama. Her career was thereafter mostly confined to television, her one high profile role being that of Rock Hudson 's secretary Maggie in several episodes of McMillan & Wife (1971). She also made repeat appearances on the navy sitcom Operation Petticoat (1977). Among Gloria's few film credits were small supporting parts in The Day of the Locust (1975), Fun with Dick and Jane (1977) and Uncommon Valor (1983). She played Rose, the matriarch of the Kennedy family, in the TV movie Young Joe, the Forgotten Kennedy (1977). Her personal favorite acting role was playing the lead character in Driving Miss Daisy on stage at Theatre 40. Gloria was married to the television producer Leonard Stern from 1956 until his death in 2011. She retired from screen acting in 1996 and in 2018 published her memoirs under the name Gloria Stroock-Stern, entitled 'Cast of Characters'. She has also been noted as a sculptor. Gloria Stroock passed away on May 5 2024, two months before her 100th birthday.