Roger Smith, 77 Sunset Strip star, dies at 84

Hollywood actor Roger Smith, who brought glamour to the TV detective genre as a hip private eye on 77 Sunset Strip,died Sunday morning at a Los Angeles hospital after battling a terminal illness. He was 84.

Hollywood 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.

In this March 30, 2017 file photo, actor Roger Smith attends the world premiere of Going in Style in New York. (AP)

FILE - In this Feb. 15, 1961 file photo, actors Roger Smith, from left, Carolyn Komant and Efrem Zimbalist Jr., tune up for their parts in the TV series "77 Sunset Strip," in Los Angeles. (AP)

Jack Gilardi, who is the agent of Smith’s widow, actress Ann-Margret, has said 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.

FILE - In this May 8, 1967 file photo, actors Ann-Margret and Roger Smith cutting the cake on their wedding day in Las Vegas. (AP)

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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