Silver screen legend Carole Cook is dead at 98. Tom Troupe, her late husband, said she died peacefully from heart failure in Beverley Hills, three days short of her birthday.

Cook credited Lucile Ball for her first break in Hollywood, who became something of her protégé. She first lived in Ball’s guesthouse when she moved to California from Ohio. Bell even convinced her to change her name from Mildred to Carole after telling Cook it was a better stage moniker. It was also a nod to broadway legend Carole Lombard. Ball commented on their similarities, speaking Cook, “you have the same healthy disrespect for everything in general, just like Lombard.” They remained close friends until Ball died in 1989.

A triple threat, she had productive careers in television, Broadway, and film. Cook would go on to make guest appearances in two of Ball’s shows: The Lucy Show and Here’s Lucy. On the stage, Cook was in original productions of 42nd Street and Romantic Comedy. She is perhaps most famously known for her portrayal of ‘Grandma Helen’ in Sixteen Candles.

Cook was also recognized for her work with HIV/AIDS patients. In addition, the actress performed annually at the Help Is On The Way banquet in San Francisco.

No services have been announced. Cook is survived by her husband, Tom Troupe.