Roger Smith, &#;77 Sunset Strip&#; Star and Husband of Ann-Margret, Dies at 84
Roger Smith, the suave leading man of television who starred on the popular s-&#;60s ABC private eye series 77 Sunset Strip before a neuromuscular disease ended his acting career in his 30s, has died. He was
Smith, who went on to manage the career of Ann-Margret, his wife of 50 years, died Sunday at Sherman Oaks Hospital, a representative for the actress told The Hollywood Reporter. No cause of death was announced.
On episodes of 77 Sunset Strip, Smith portrayed Jeff Spencer, one-half of a breezy detective pair who solved crimes and chased women while working out of their ultra-hip offices on the Sunset Strip. EfremZimbalistJr. played his partner, Stu Bailey.
Also lending a hand in the adventures was Kookie (Edd Byrnes), who parked cars next door at Dino&#;s Lodge. (The real-life Hollywood nightclub, owned by Dean Martin, served as the actual backdrop in the show.)
From its jazzy, finger-snapping theme by Mack David and Jerry Livingston to the teen idol popularity of Byrnes&#; character, 77 Sunset Strip captured the cultural zeitgeist of the era during its six-season ru
Roger Smith & Ann-Margret: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know
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Roger Smith, the star of the classic television series 77 Sunset Strip(), has died. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Smith died on Sunday at Sherman Oaks Hospital in California. No cause of death has been announced. He was
Though he attained stardom on 77 Sunset Strip, Smith was forced to retire prematurely in after being diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease called Myasthenia Gravis. From that point on, he became the manager for his wife Ann-Margret, who just so happened to be a world famous performer in her own right. To commemorate Smith&#;s life, here are five fast facts about the late actor and Ann-Margret.
1. They Were Married In
Smith and Margret&#;s wedding In
The s were a difficult time for Smith. He was diagnosed with a blood clot in his brain in , which forced him to exit 77 Sunset Strip for a time, and even upon his return, he and rest of the main cast were let go the following year. His divorce from Victoria Shaw was finalized in , and his attempt to parlay the success of Sunset Strip into a television adaptation of Mister Roberts () lasted only one s
Roger Smith, Star of '77 Sunset Strip,' Dies at Age 84
LOS ANGELES — Actor Roger Smith, who brought glamour to the TV detective genre as a hip private eye on "77 Sunset Strip," has died. He was
Jack Gilardi, who is the agent of Smith's widow, actress Ann-Margret, said the actor died Sunday morning at a Los Angeles hospital after battling a terminal illness. Smith had battled the nerve disease myasthenia gravis for many years.
The actor launched his career in the s when James Cagney spotted him and recommended him for films. He survived two serious illnesses to have a second career after "77 Sunset Strip" as manager of Ann-Margret, who was his second wife.
From to , he co-starred with Efrem Zimbalist Jr. on the glossy ABC series. It made stars of both men and a teen heartthrob out of Edd Byrnes, who played a colorful parking lot attendant named Kookie.
"77 Sunset Strip" had been created by producer-writer Roy Huggins, who also created "Maverick," and it spawned a host of spinoffs and knockoffs, including "Hawaiian Eye," ''Surfside 6" and "Bourbon Street Beat."
Smith told the Los Angeles Times that the series aimed to show that private investigators were well-trai
Ann-Margret, the Swedish-born Hollywood icon, has captivated audiences for decades with her fiery beauty, magnetic talent, and unforgettable performances in classics like Bye Bye Birdie and Viva Las Vegas. Yet, behind the glitz and glamour, the actress’ greatest triumph wasn’t on stage or screen—it was her enduring love story with her husband, actor and manager Roger Smith.
A Hollywood Romance for the Ages
Ann-Margret met Roger Smith, the handsome star of 77 Sunset Strip, in the s. Despite her dating history with high-profile names like Elvis Presley and Eddie Fisher, it was Smith who ultimately captured her heart.
Their romance began in earnest in , sparked in part by their shared love of motorcycles. Smith, determined to win her over, bought a bike so they could ride together. By their third date, Ann-Margret was certain she had found her soulmate.
“I knew he would protect me. I knew that I could depend on him,” she later said.
The couple married in in Las Vegas, though the ceremony wasn’t without its challenges. Ann-Margret broke down in tears during the smoky, unconventional ceremony, lamenting, “This is not the way I envisioned my wedding.” Despite the rocky st
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