Actor Roger Smith died Sunday at a Los Angeles’ Sherman Oaks hospital after battling long of nerve disease myasthenia gravis and lately a terminal illness. He was 84 and left behind his second wife, actress, entertainer Ann-Margret.
The widow’s agent Jack Gilardi revealed the sad news without any cause of death.
Less than a month ago the couple celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Earlier in his life the actor survived two serious illnesses and following his work as “77 Sunset Strip” manager of his Margret he had his second career.
Roger Smith co-starred with Efrem Zimbalist Jr. between years 1958 and 1963 on ABC detective series.
The actor was born on December 18, 1932, as Roger LaVerne Smith in South Gate, California. At the age of just six he went to stage school and took elocution, dancing and singing lessons. He did his higher studies at the University of Arizona at Tucson on a football scholarship.
While paving his career path he first joined Naval Reserve and was posted in Hawaii. After meeting actor James Cagney he tried his luck in Hollywood.
He has acted in many films including Man of a Thousand Faces, No Time to Be Young, Operation Mad Ball, Auntie Mame, Crash Landing, For Those Who Think Young and Never Steal Anything Small.
In served the television industry too. In 1948 he gave his musical voice to Original Amateur Hour. Later he acted in several series including Celebrity Playhouse, Sheriff of Cochise, West Point, Sugarfoot, 77 Sunset Strip and Hawaiian Eye.
His wife’s age is 50.