Roger Smith dead: '77 Sunset Strip' star was 84

www.foxnews.com ^ | Published June 06, 2017 | Staff

[Red Badger]

Actor Roger Smith, who brought glamour to the TV detective genre as a hip private eye on "77 Sunset Strip," has died. He was 84.

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 1950s 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 his second wife, entertainer Ann-Margret.

From 1958 to 1963, 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.

[Red Badger]

[Jonty30]

Was 84? I think he’ll be 84 permanently.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Lucky guy was married to Ann Margaret. :)

[Liz]

Ann Margaret stayed youthful into her senior years (thanks to botox?)....but handsome Roger did not age well.

[Red Badger]

To this day, I cannot eat pork & beans without thinking of Ann Margaret........................

[headstamp 2]

He had MG throughout his adult life pretty much.

[Red Badger]

He had Myasthenia Gravis............

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myasthenia_gravis

[Starboard]

Thanks for posting this. It was a very cool and successful TV show in its day.

[atc23]

To this day, I cannot eat pork & beans without thinking of Ann Margaret........................

I get it

[FES0844]

Sad. Getting old stinks! Do it all when you’re young!

[samantha]

Steroids that were needed to counteract his diseases took their toll. I. Believe that agent Jack Gilardi was married to Annette funicello. How ironic .....

[Liz]

Reminds me of Jerry Lewis——steroids caused his huge weight gain. ....but he till looked like Dean Martin’s youthful sidekick.

[Red Badger]

B^).................

[gymbeau]

I was struck deaf, dumb and blind by that scene!
cheers,
Jim

[samantha]

Yes,and he looks pretty good now for a geezer.

[painter]

I still remember the theme song!

"77 Sunset strip,"snap-snap" "!

[ckilmer]

yeah me too. might have been in fourth grade at the time.