Roger Smith Biography: Age, Net Worth, Parents, Wikipedia, Height, Wife, Pictures, Children, Cause Of Death

Roger LaVerne Smith was an American actor, producer, and screenwriter best known for his roles in the 77 Sunset Strip and Mister Roberts television series.

His career began after a chance meeting with James Cagney while serving in the Naval Reserve in Hawaii.

In 1967, he married actress Ann-Margret and later transitioned into managing her career, a role he held for many years.

Smith retired from acting due to health issues, including a blood clot and later myasthenia gravis. He passed away on June 4, 2017, after 50 years of marriage to Ann-Margret.

Profile

• Full Name: Roger LaVerne Smith
• Stage Name: Roger Smith
• Born: December 18, 1932
• Died: June 4 2017
• Age: 84 years old
• Birthplace: South Gate, California, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actor, producer, and screenwriter
• Height: 1.85 m
• Parent: Dallas LaVerne Smith ,Leone Irene (née Adams)
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Ann-Margret (m. 1967–2017), Victoria Shaw (m. 1956–1965)
• Children: Jordan Smith, Tracey Smith, Dallas Smith
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Roger LaVerne Smith was born on December 18, 1932, in South Gate, California, United States.

He was the son of Dallas LaVerne Smith and Leone Irene (née Adams). While it is unclear whether he had siblings, no publicly available information confirms their existence.

Smith pursued higher education at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where he attended on a football scholarship.

During his time at the university, he also showcased his musical talents, which later contributed to his entry into the entertainment industry. He was of American ethnicity, though his religious beliefs were not publicly documented.

Career

Roger LaVerne Smith began his career while attending the University of Arizona in Tucson on a football scholarship. During his time there, he showcased his musical talents as a singer and guitarist, winning several amateur talent competitions.

His success led to a television appearance on Ted Mack & the Original Amateur Hour, which provided him with early exposure and helped launch his career in entertainment. This initial success set the stage for his eventual transition into acting.

While serving in the Naval Reserve in Hawaii, Smith had a chance encounter with legendary actor James Cagney. Impressed by Smith’s clean-cut appearance and charisma, Cagney encouraged him to pursue a career in Hollywood.

With this advice, Smith embarked on an acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in television anthologies such as Damon Runyon Theatre, Celebrity Playhouse, and Ford Television Theatre.

He also secured roles in films like No Time to Be Young (1957), Operation Mad Ball (1957), and Crash Landing (1958). One of his most notable early roles was portraying the older Patrick Dennis in Auntie Mame (1958).

Smith’s breakthrough came with his role as Jeff Spencer in the hit television series 77 Sunset Strip (1958–1964). He acted in the series, contributed as a writer, and made crossover appearances in related shows like Surf Side Six and Hawaiian Eye. In 1965, he starred in the short-lived TV series Mister Roberts.

However, his rising career was interrupted in 1962 when he suffered a blood clot on the brain, forcing him to take a hiatus from 77 Sunset Strip. Later, he was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, which led to his early retirement from acting.

Despite his health struggles, Smith transitioned into producing and managing, dedicating himself to overseeing the career of his wife, Ann-Margret.

He made her stage shows and TV specials, playing a key role in her success. Although he battled Parkinson’s disease in his later years, his condition went into remission in 1985, allowing him to continue supporting Ann-Margret’s career until his passing on June 4, 2017.

Social Media

Roger Smith does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Roger Smith was married twice. His first marriage was to Australian-born actress Victoria Shaw from 1956 to 1965. The couple had three children—Jordan, Tracey, and Dallas—before divorcing after nine years.

In 1967, Smith married Swedish-born actress Ann–Margret in a civil ceremony at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.

They remained together for 50 years, with Smith dedicating himself to managing Ann–Margret’s career and supporting her through various challenges.

Smith passed away on June 4, 2017, at the age of 84, due to complications from myasthenia gravis, a nerve disease he had battled for many years.

Filmography

• Over-Exposed (1956)
• Man of a Thousand Faces (1957)
• Operation Mad Ball (1957)
• No Time to Be Young (1957)
• Crash Landing (1958)
• Auntie Mame (1958)
• Never Steal Anything Small (1959)
• For Those Who Think Young (1964)
• Sette uomini e un cervello (1968)
• Rogue’s Gallery (1968)
• The Original Amateur Hour (1948)
• Damon Runyon Theater (1956)
• Celebrity Playhouse (1956)
• Ford Theatre (1956)
• Father Knows Best (1956–1958)
• Sheriff of Cochise (1957)
• West Point (1957)
• The George Sanders Mystery Theater (1957)
• Hawaiian Eye (1960–1961)
• Surfside 6 (1962)
• Kraft Suspense Theatre (1964)
• Mister Roberts (1965–1966)
• C.C. & Company (1970)
• The First Time (1969)
• Ann-Margret: From Hollywood with Love (1969)
• Ann-Margret: When You’re Smiling (1973)
• Ann-Margret: Rhinestone Cowgirl (1977)
• Nobody’s Children (1994)

Net Worth

Roger Smith’s exact net worth and financial status remain unknown. However, his long-term role as his wife’s manager likely contributed to his financial stability.

While specific details of his earnings and assets are not publicly available, his involvement in Ann-Margret’s successful career suggests he maintained a comfortable financial position.