LOS ANGELES (AP) – 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, says the actor died Sunday morning at a Los Angeles hospital after battling a terminal illness. No other details about his cause of death were available.
He starred on the detective show from 1958 to 1963. Its formula of handsome young investigators in a picturesque location spawned a host of knockoffs, including “Hawaiian Eye.”
He survived two serious illnesses to have a second career as manager of his wife, entertainer Ann-Margret. Under his guidance she lost her “sex kitten” stereotype and was nominated for two Oscars.
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The late Associated Press writer Bob Thomas contributed to this report.