I am extremely proud to have been part of This Old House for more than 35 years. I have enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for landscaping. And my life has been greatly enriched by the professional relationships and friendships I’ve formed over the years.
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. I may appear occasionally on our shows, but you’ll also see other landscaping professionals helping with our many projects.
I truly appreciate our fans’ dedication and the concern for my well-being. Please respect my family’s privacy at this time. Rest assured that I am in good hands, and please know that I am grateful for all of your support.
June 2018
From His Colleagues: Richard Trethewey, TOH’s plumbing and heating expert, spoke about Roger’s lasting impact on the show: “We’ve been friends. We’ve been brothers in arms. We’ve been through a lotta stuff together as a group. What you did is you brought the backyard into the house, to be, you know, a room in the house and be part of the show, an important part of it.”
An Outpouring of Support: When host Kevin O’Connor addressed Roger’s health on air, he acknowledged the response from viewers: “Over the past year, many of you have noticed that our friend Roger Cook has not been himself. We have received countless inquiries with compassion and concern for his health.” Tom Silva later added his own perspective on Roger’s connection with audiences: “I think people gravitated to Roger because they trusted his knowledge.”
A Legacy on Screen: Roger Cook first appeared on This Old House in 1988. As host Kevin O’Connor later reflected: “It wasn’t long after that that you were making segments that our audience would look at and learn about plants and landscaping and, over the years, you created an amazing body of work, which is still very valuable today.” Roger’s humble response: “Well, I think we’ve all done that as a team and it really shows when you watch it.”
