Eugene Roche, a talented actor with a four-decade-long career, was born on September 22, 1928, in Boston, Massachusetts, during the Great Depression. His father was a Navy man, and Eugene's early life was shaped by his naval background.
Starting his career in radio at the age of 15, Eugene quickly gained a reputation for his versatility and ability to play both men and women. He continued to hone his craft during his high school years, appearing in various summer stock and variety shows.
After enlisting in the U.S. Army and studying at Emerson College, Eugene began to make a name for himself on the stage. He appeared in productions such as "Pal Joey" with Bob Fosse and "Point of No Return" with Henry Fonda. His early marriage led him to classical stage parts in San Francisco, and eventually, he headed to New York, where he began to appear in dramatic TV shows and commercials.
Eugene's breakthrough on Broadway came with "Blood, Sweat and Stanley Poole" starring Darren McGavin, followed by "The White House" with Helen Hayes and "Mother Courage" with Anne Bancroft.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Eugene became a staple on television, appearing in a range of roles, from comedy to drama. He had recurring or featured roles on shows such as "Soap", "Night Court", "Perfect Strangers", and "Webster", as well as choice support parts in films like "The Late Show" and "Foul Play".
Eugene's ability to play a wide range of characters, from scary guys to lovable characters, earned him a reputation as a talented and versatile actor. He appeared in numerous TV series, including "The Rookies", "Ironside", "McCloud", "Hawaii Five-0", "Kojak", "Phyllis", "Medical Center", "The Streets of San Francisco", "Barnaby Jones", "Maude", "Police Woman", "Starsky & Hutch", "Lou Grant", "All in the Family", "Hart to Hart", "Taxi", "Gimme a Break", "Airwolf", "Highway to Heaven", and "Murder, She Wrote".
Eugene's personal life was marked by his marriage and his nine children. Three of his sons, Eamonn Roche, Brogan Roche, and Sean Roche, followed in his footsteps and pursued careers in the entertainment industry. Sean Roche is an Emmy award-winning writer and producer.
Eugene Roche passed away on July 28, 2004, at the age of 75, after suffering a heart attack.
