Michael Kroll

Michael J. Kroll, 66, passed away on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at home. Michael was born in Allentown, PA to the late Michael A.G. and Eileen M. (Doland) Kroll. An "Army brat," Mike grew up in Fort Monmouth and graduated from Red Bank Catholic High School, Class of 1977.

Following graduation, Mike worked for Riverview Hospital, Red Bank, as a patient attendant. After a few years, Mike started on a long career in database management. Mike's final position was with The Stryker Company, which he dearly loved.

While at RBC, Mike acquired a lifelong love of things theatrical under the tutelage of Bob Cioffi. Performing became his passion. He indulged this passion at every available opportunity. Over the next 4 decades, Mike was usually auditioning, rehearsing or performing in plays - comedies, dramas or musicals. His elastic face and incredible talent was seen on stages throughout New Jersey. He appeared at The Spring Lake Theatre, The Guggenheim Theatre, The Holmdel Theatre, The Celtic Theatre, Plays-in-the-Park and many others. He became fascinated with the life of silent film star Lon Chaney, particularly with Chaney's talent for groundbreaking makeup. Using his personal "makeup box," Mike would transform his look from one character to the next, many far older than his actual age. That task became easier with time. Mike would often quote a line from one of his favorite plays, The Dresser, " There was a time when I had to paint in all the lines. Now I merely deepen what is already there."

It is impossible to catalog all the roles Mike played. Among his favorites were: Dr. Pangloss in Candide, Paul Bratter in Barefoot in the Park, The Major General in The Pirates of Penzance, Oliver in Da, Doug Roberts in Mr. Roberts, Henry Drummond in Inherit the Wind, Norman in The Dresser, Fagin in Oliver, Ben Franklin in 1776, and Ebeneezer Scrooge in Scrooge.

Mike was a long time and beloved member of the Van Zandt/Milmore repertory company at the Jersey Shore. The number of those farces he appeared in was only surpassed by the number of laughs he gave to his audiences and the number of fellow actors who became his friends.

In addition to acting, Mike was a gifted pianist, largely self-taught. He was musical director for a production of The Fantasticks at Monmouth College, which he handled with aplomb. Mike loved to play the piano at various watering holes in Monmouth County. Most famously, he would rock the house at the old Patty Murray's in Long Branch to Billy Joel tunes while the patrons engaged in robust sing-a-longs.

Known mostly as an actor, Mike also directed plays such as Life With Father, Our Town, Of Mice and Men, Damn Yankees, and Peter Pan. But acting and performing remained his greatest passions.

Mike had an abiding love of all things Christmas, inherited from his parents, whom he lovingly referred to as "The Kringles." Mike loved Christmas ornaments, garland, and lights. The more the merrier was his motto. The "more" part was manifested in the 12 foot tall Christmas tree which he and Lynn lovingly decorated each and every Yuletide.

At the heart of Mike's passion for Christmas was his love of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. To Mike, the story was the epitome of Christmas. When he found the score to the musical Scrooge, Mike was determined to have this show staged at The Spring Lake Theatre with himself playing the title role. First imagined during a conversation on the Spring Lake beach in the summer of 1983, the idea became reality that December. Scrooge opened at the Spring Lake Theatre in 1983 and has run there every December since.

Mike later went on to play Mr. Scrooge for decades with the Premier Theatre Company in Lincroft and Asbury Park. While he loved performing in the musical, Mike always wanted to focus on the essence of the Dickens' story. His encyclopedic knowledge of the text led him to create a one-man show of A Christmas Carol which Mike performed at The Holmdel Theatre. It was a magical evening of theatre and storytelling with Mike portraying all the characters with different voices and, of course, different faces. It is his crowning achievement.

Michael is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 29 years, Lynn (Acciani) Kroll, his beloved Boston Terrier, Jasper and the memories of his prodigious talents and profound friendships forged onstage and off.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date.

Contributions in Michael's memory may be made to Animal Alliance, 1432 NJ-179N, Lambertville, NJ 08530, or, http://www.animalalliancenj.org