Roger Smith

Roger Smith was an American actor, screenwriter, and producer best known for his starring role as private detective Jeff Spencer in the popular television series 77 Sunset Strip. His career in Hollywood spanned over two decades, during which he transitioned from a contract player at Warner Bros. to a successful manager and creative partner for his wife, entertainer Ann-Margret. Smith's later work behind the scenes and his graceful handling of a debilitating illness cemented his legacy as a respected figure in the entertainment industry.

Early life and education

Roger LaVerne Smith was born in South Gate, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. He demonstrated an early talent for performance, winning a national jitterbug championship as a teenager. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Arizona on a football scholarship. His studies were interrupted by a stint in the United States Navy, where he served during the Korean War. Following his military service, Smith returned to Southern California and pursued acting, studying at the prestigious Pasadena Playhouse, a renowned training ground for many film and television actors of his generation.

Career

Smith's professional acting career began in the mid-1950s with guest roles on television series such as Navy Log and Cheyenne. He signed a contract with Warner Bros. and made his film debut in the musical Auntie Mame (1958) starring Rosalind Russell. His big break came later that year when he was cast as the cool, guitar-playing detective Jeff Spencer on 77 Sunset Strip, a role that made him a household name and a teen idol. He starred in the series alongside Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and Edd Byrnes. During this period, he also appeared in films like Operation Petticoat (1959) with Cary Grant and Tony Curtis. In the late 1960s, after 77 Sunset Strip ended, Smith shifted his focus from acting to management and production. He became the manager and creative force behind the career of his wife, Ann-Margret, producing her television specials, including the acclaimed Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love, and her nightclub acts in venues like the Las Vegas Strip. He also co-wrote the screenplay for the film The First Time (1969).

Personal life

Smith was married twice. His first marriage was to Australian actress Victoria Shaw in 1956; they had three children before divorcing in 1965. In 1967, he married Swedish-American actress and singer Ann-Margret in a ceremony in Las Vegas; their union lasted until his death fifty years later. In the late 1970s, Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease that gradually ended his career. He and Ann-Margret largely retreated from public life, dividing their time between their homes in Los Angeles and the Beverly Hills area. Smith was known among friends and colleagues for his sharp wit, loyalty, and unwavering support of his wife's career.

Legacy

Roger Smith's legacy is that of a versatile entertainer who successfully navigated multiple facets of the business. While remembered by a generation for his role on 77 Sunset Strip, his most significant impact was perhaps as a pioneering manager-producer who helped shape Ann-Margret's multifaceted career in television, film, and Las Vegas performances. His dignified battle with myasthenia gravis brought awareness to the disease, and his enduring marriage to a major entertainment star was noted for its longevity and partnership in the often-transient world of Hollywood.

Filmography

* Auntie Mame (1958) as Peter Dennis * No Time to Be Young (1958) as Buddy * Operation Petticoat (1959) as Lt. (jg) Edmunds * 77 Sunset Strip (1958–1963) as Jeff Spencer * Maverick (1960) as Gentleman Jack Darby in episode "The Bundle from Britain" * The First Time (1969) (screenwriter only)

Category:American male actors Category:American screenwriters Category:American television producers Category:People from South Gate, California Category:University of Arizona alumni Category:Pasadena Playhouse alumni Category:Deaths from myasthenia gravis