Inside Carole Cook and Lucille Ball’s Close Friendship and Protege Relationship

Carole Cook, known for her standout roles in The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy, left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Now, her legacy is taking center stage once again, thanks to Mason McCulley — her longtime friend and mentee.

Carole is the inspiration behind McCulley’s forthcoming stage production, Carole Cook Died For My Sins, which will be performed as a solo show at the Skylight Theater in L.A. from October 20 through November 10. This heartfelt performance promises a captivating blend of humor, personal revelations and inspiration rooted in McCulley’s friendship with the legendary Carole Cook, who passed away in January 2023 at the age of 93.

McCulley met Cook when he was just 18, captivated by her performance in Hello, Dolly!—a role she had first made her own as the second-ever Dolly Levi after Carol Channing. “I was mesmerized,” McCulley exclusively recalls to Closer. “She had this magic about her, and from that moment, she became more than just an inspiration. She became my friend, my mentor, and, in many ways, my guide through life.”

Her larger-than-life personality and sharp comedic wit were shaped under the mentorship of her dear friend, Lucille Ball. The two first connected when Ball, recently divorced from Desi Arnaz, sought new talent for her Desilu Playhouse. A mutual acquaintance recommended Cook—then known as Mildred Francis Cook—for her impeccable comedic timing. Although her first audition faltered, Cook won Ball over at dinner by being unapologetically herself, leading to a lifelong friendship and a contract with Desilu.

“Lucille Ball literally rolled on the floor laughing,” McCulley shared. “By the end of the night, Carole had a contract, and Lucy even gave her a new name—after Carole Lombard—saying she had the same ‘healthy disrespect for everything.’” This mentorship blossomed into a deep bond, with Ball later serving as matron of honor at Cook’s wedding to actor Tom Troupe.

Cook always credited Lucille Ball with shaping not just her career but her outlook on life. “Lucy taught me to love myself first,” Cook often said—a principle she passed on to McCulley. “She’d tell me, ‘If you love yourself first, you can show up and be the great actor, friend, and person you are.’”

Ball also taught Cook the importance of thinking on her feet and embracing her unique humor. “Lucy was always fascinated by the way Carole thought funny,” McCulley recalls. “She’d ask, ‘How do you come up with this stuff?’” This encouragement helped Cook find her comedic voice, knowing she had the support of one of television’s greatest legends. “Lucy’s advice was simple but essential—‘Keep going, no matter what,’” McCulley says. “She believed something amazing was always just around the corner, and Carole lived by that until the very end.”

McCulley’s show, born from a difficult period following the loss of both Cook and his mother within months of each other takes that advice, “When my mom passed, I hit emotional rock bottom. Carole’s voice was in my head, telling me to ‘keep going,’ and that became the impetus for this play,” McCulley said.

What would Cook think of McCulley’s heartfelt tribute? “She’d say, ‘It better not be shit!’” McCulley laughed. “But she’d also say, ‘Keep going, kid. Keep telling your truth.’ And that’s what I’m doing.”