Auntie Mame Star Roger Smith Died from Myasthenia Gravis at 84!

Updated On March 18, 2024 | Published By: prisma pulitzer | In Death , Relationship

Roger Smith, ca. 1963

Roger Smith was the 1950s-’60s ABC private eye series “77 Sunset Strip,” starrer actor.
He died on December 18, 1932, in South Gate, California, United States at the age of 84.
Roger Smith’s death news was first confirmed by his wife, Ann-Margret.

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Death of Roger Smith

The sad news of Mister Roberts actor Roger Smith has everyone in grief. According to Gilardi, Smith died at a Los Angeles hospital Sunday morning after battling a terminal illness, Myasthenia gravis, a nerve disease.

The actor survived two serious illnesses and was fighting the nerve disease myasthenia gravis for many years.

Roger Smith’s first marriage

Popular for portraying the character of Jeff Spencer on 77 Sunset Strip, Smith was previously married to Victoria Shaw, a glamorous Australian actress, in the year 1956.

The couple shares three children together; daughter Tracey Smith (born in 1957), sons Jordan Smith (born in 1958), and Dallas Smith (born in 1961).

However, Smith got divorced from Victoria in 1965.

Later, when Smith was getting popular for his portrayals, he was found dating the dynamic singer, dancer, and actress Ann-Margret, who is popular for appearing in the films like “Bye Bye Birdie” and ”Viva Las Vegas.”

Smith and Ann got married in the year 1967 in a very private wedding ceremony in Las Vegas.

Roger leaves his career for Ann

After getting married to Ann, Smith ended his acting career to manage his wife’s career.

In an interview with Rex Reed in 1972, Ann said-

“Now in Roger I’ve found all the men I need rolled into one — a father, a friend, a lover, a manager, a businessman. It’s perfect for me. I couldn’t exist without a strong man.”

Roger Smith began his career in the 1950s after he was spotted and recommended by James Cagney for numerous films. In the year 1958, he joined 77 Sunset Strip and left after five seasons in 1963 when a blood clot was diagnosed in his brain.

Though the surgery was successful, Smith was later diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 1965, a disorder that disrupts the transmission of nerve signals to the muscles, causing severe muscle weakness.

Despite the disease, Smith continued working when he was able as the effects of the disease varied over time.

He later told New York magazine in 1976,

“I have this great dream that when Ann-Margret gets out of movies, she and I will co-star in a Broadway play. But right now I still think it’s impossible to be married to a successful actress and have your own career and have the marriage work.”

Smith’s childhood

Smith was born on December 18, 1932, in South Gate, near Los Angeles. When he was 6, his parents enrolled him in a professional school in Hollywood where he learned singing and dancing. When he was 12 the family moved to Nogales, Ariz., where he excelled in the high school acting club and football team.

He served 2½ years in the Navy Reserve, and in Hawaii, he sang at social events. Cagney, who was there making a film, suggested that Smith might try for a film career. When Smith’s Navy service ended, he signed a contract with Columbia Pictures.

Cagney recommended Smith for a role in “Man of a Thousand Faces,” the 1957 film biography of silent star Lon Chaney.

Cagney was Chaney, while Smith played Chaney’s son as a young man. Smith then was cast in “Auntie Mame,” playing star Rosalind Russell’s nephew, Patrick, as a young man.

Also, read The murderer of TV producer and director, Barry Crane arrested 34 years after his death in July 1985!

Even though Roger Smith is now dead, he is survived by his wife Ann-Margret, and his children.

Rest in Peace Roger!

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