Roger Smith, '77 Sunset Strip' Star and Husband of Ann-Margret, Dies at 84

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | June 5, 2017 | Chris Koseluk

[EveningStar]

Roger Smith, the suave leading man of television who starred on the popular 1950s-'60s ABC private eye series 77 Sunset Strip before a neuromuscular disease ended his acting career in his 30s, has died. He was 84.

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...

In 1957, Columbia Pictures put Smith under contract. This led to a string of film appearances, including No Time to Be Young (1957), Operation Mad Ball (1957), Crash Landing (1958) and Auntie Mame (1958), in perhaps his most notable film role as the adult Patrick Dennis...

[originalbuckeye]

Thanks for that! And weren’t all the guys infatuated with Jacqueline Beer?? Also enjoyed the Surfside 6 intro, though less well known that 77 Sunset Strip.

[Agamemnon]

Ann-Margret was unfortunately very underused in her peak singing and dancing years. Only when most actresses careers are over did she really start showing her acting talent.

You need to become more familiar with her credits.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000268/

FReegards!

[DannyTN]

Ann Margaret is finally available, but she’s 76. Daaang.

[fieldmarshaldj]

RIP.

[exit82]

[Albion Wilde]

[Jack Hammer]

Seventy Seven Sunset Strip.
Seventy Seven Sunset Strip.
Seventy Seven Sunset Strip.

The street that wears a fancy label
That’s glorified in song and fable.
The most exciting people pass you by
Including a private eye.

Seventy Seven Sunset Strip
Seventy Seven Sunset Strip
Seventy Seven Sunset Strip.

You’ll meet the high brow and the hipster
The starlet and the phony tripster
You’ll see most every kind of gal and guy
Including a private eye.

Seventy Seven Sunset Strip
Seventy Seven Sunset Strip.

Kookie, lend me your comb!

[bobby.223]

Damn ‘Star. ‘77 Sunset Strip’......’Route 66’.....’The Hawaiian Eye’, (Cricket was GORGEOUS!!!!)....’Surfside Six’, No miss TV in the ‘59-’63 era huh? Where have all the darn years gone? The younger folks have no idea how good those shows were as they were broadcast on TV then. It seems like it all happened only yesterday huh?......

[jocon307]

From the Hollywood Reporter piece “He also penned seven episodes of the series (including “The Silent Caper,” a clever installment without dialogue)”

I’m too young to remember this show at all, but I’d love to see that one.

RIP.

[jocon307]

Great team work on those pix!

[Jane Long]

[Jane Long]

Roger and Ann-Margret, with Ann's mom, in Vegas, '67

[bruin66]

77 Sunset Strip was “Dino’s” restaurant on the Strip. Very hip, like Dino. I double-dated there after my senior prom with my gorgeous girl friend and another couple. Very heady for my young age. (sigh)

[murron]

Kookie was my favorite. Every time he pulled his comb out to comb his hair, I went bananas. And I was only 10 years old. He was my first heartthrob.

[Rebelbase]

Ann Margaret had a thing for chocolate.

[anton]

I saw Ann Margaret at the bar of the Fountainbleu in Miami Beach about 20 years ago to the day. I wanted to go up to her or buy her a drink or something but was too nervous. Read she at an apartment there. She was stunning sitting by herself. I went out and bought a tape of the movie Bye Bye Birdie which I wore out.

[WASCWatch]

There are worse things than being married to Ann Margaret for 50 years.

[Churchillspirit]

How tasteless.

[hold_muh_bier]

"I was just a little kid when that show was on, but I thought those guys were the coolest around."

Same here. My [older] sister and all her friends were crazy about Kookie.

R.I.P. Mr. Smith.

[AmericanMermaid]

Lovely couple! May he RIP, and may God comfort her in her loss.