Roger Cook, a long-time member of PBS’s iconic home improvement show “This Old House,” passed away on August 21 after battling a prolonged illness.
Key Takeaways
- Roger Cook passed away on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, after a long-fought battle with his illness.
- In June 2018, Roger issued an open letter stating he would be reducing his role on his show ‘This Old House’ and in 2020 he completely removed himself from the show to focus on his health and family.
- Roger and his estate have kept his illness a very private matter despite rumors of Parkinson’s disease, heart attack, or even cancer.
Roger’s final years were challenging as he coped with the impact of his illness.
Despite this, he was a proud man who worked hard to maintain a sense of normalcy in his routine and his family’s life.
In his final years, Roger was surrounded by his family, extended family, and caregivers, who ensured he received the love and respect he deserved.
Back in June 2018, Roger penned an open letter to his fans announcing his decision to reduce his role to prioritize his health and family.
Some viewers may have noticed that I haven’t been myself over the last season. In fact, I have been dealing with several health issues that have made performing on television more difficult. As a result, I’ve decided to reduce my role on This Old House and Ask This Old House so I can focus more time on my health and my family.
Via This Old House
In the letter, he outlines that he had not been feeling ‘himself‘ over the past season.
Furthermore, he specifies that he was dealing with several health issues, which made performing on the show just that much more difficult.
However, he also stated that he would appear occasionally on the show.
He rounded off the letter by showing deep appreciation for his fans’ dedication and concern for his well-being, asking them to respect his family’s privacy during that time.
Despite his valiant efforts, his condition worsened, and by 2020, he made the difficult choice to step away from the show fully.
Roger Cook and his family have always kept the nature of his illness a private matter, with no details being disclosed to the public.
As a result, his illness remains unknown, leading to public speculation, especially after his withdrawal from his show.
Rumors of Parkinson’s disease, a heart attack, or even cancer circulated, based on his condition in the final appearances in the show.
Despite the rumors, it is imperative to maintain his and his family’s privacy during these difficult and trying times.
According to his family, Roger was a truly remarkable man, not because of his accomplishments, but because of the way he lived his life– with a firm dedication to his family and loved ones.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Roger is survived by his two children, his three grandsons, his brother, and his extended family and friends.
- Roger Cook’s wife, Kathleen Cook, passed away on December 1, 2010, due to cancer.
- He appeared on “This Old House“ from 1982 to 2020.
