Ann-Margret, 84, Reveals Ongoing Pain of Losing Husband of 50 Years: 'I Miss the Laughter' (Exclusive) ...Saudi Arabia

Ann-Margret has revealed how much she misses her late husband and manager Roger Smith nearly nine years after his death.

In an exclusive phone interview with Parade, the iconic actress, singer, and dancer, 84, described how their 50-year marriage made her proud.

Despite Ann-Margret’s six decades in Hollywood, including starring roles in such musicals as Bye Bye Birdie (1963), Viva Las Vegas (1964), and Tommy (1975), and dramas like Carnal Knowledge (1971), Magic (1978), and 52 Pick-Up (1986), she feels her greatest accomplishment is her long and happy marriage which sadly ended with Smith’s passing in 2017.

As Ann-Margret approaches her milestone 85thbirthday on April 28, she wants fans to know how much Smith meant to her. Who was Roger, what was their wedding like, what does she miss most about him, how did his personality please Ann, and did they raise children together? Read on to find out more!

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Roger LaVerne Smith was born in California on December 18, 1932 and went on to serve in the Naval Reserve. He happened to meet acting legend James Cagney, who suggested Smith become an actor. The handsome military man played Cagney’s son in the 1957 film Man of a Thousand Faces. He then played Rosalind Russell’s grown nephew in the big screen hit Auntie Mame (1958).

But Smith truly became a star on TV as suave private detective Jeff Spencer in 77 Sunset Strip from 1958-63. As The Hollywood Reporter’s obituary stated, however, he had to leave the show after five seasons when a blood clot was discovered in his brain. Although surgery was successful, in 1965, Smith was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness.

When did Smith and Ann-Margret meet?

The two first met in 1961 during his 77 Sunset Strip heyday. Smith recalled to New York magazine in 1976, "Every other woman I met was falling all over me, but this innocent, fresh-faced beauty only spoke to me when I spoke to her and the rest of the time ignored me. I was impressed."

Related: Redhead Queen Ann-Margret, 84, Posts Stunning Knit Bathing Suit Throwback Photo: ‘An Absolute Smoke Show’

They didn’t pursue a romance then. Years later, however, as reported by Country Living, when Smith was separated from his first wife, Australian actress Victoria Shaw, he invited Ann-Margret to his nightclub performance. Dinner followed that night, then a flying date on his private plane the next day.

The beautiful “Sex Kitten” has said that she knew she was going to marry Smith on their third date! “I knew he would protect me. I knew that I could depend on him. I sensed it completely,” she told People.

For his part, Roger said, "Once I found Ann-Margret, I couldn't stand to be without her and, surprisingly, she couldn't stand to be without me."

When did Ann-Margret and Roger Smith marry?

Smith, who had divorced Shaw in 1965, proposed to Ann during an evening horse-drawn carriage ride through New York’s Central Park the following year. He offered her a dazzling five-carat diamond ring. The beauty said yes and on May 8, 1967, they tied the knot in a simple five-minute civil ceremony in a small room at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas. Ann-Margret was 26 and Roger was 34. He decided to step away from his own acting to become her manager, making her career a big success.

How does Ann-Marget rank her marriage in her accomplishments?

“I really am most proud of my marriage,” the five-time Golden Globe winner told Parade during our recent interview. “Roger meant everything to me. We were together [a total of] 54 years. It just flew by because it was really good. I sure miss him! He took great care of me.”

What does Ann-Margret miss most about her late husband?

“Oh, God, I loved his sense of humor! Loved it!” she laughed. “We would always talk about things that we had done and faux pas that we had made. We laughed a lot.” She paused in reflection and added, “I miss the laughter.”

When asked about Roger’s personality, Ann told Parade, “He was very sensitive. He never really showed that to anybody [else]. It was something we shared. He was shy in communicating with people.”

Related: Ann-Margret, 84, Shares Health Update After Scary Fall: ‘You Just Get Up’ (Exclusive)

When did Roger Smith pass away?

Smith died on June 4, 2017 at age 84 at Sherman Oaks Hospital -- of complications from myasthenia gravis.

Did they have children together?

No. Ann-Margret previously told McCall’s magazine (via upi) about her infertility struggle. But she has been a devoted stepmother to Smith’s three children from his first marriage to Victoria Shaw (who passed away in 1988): Tracey, Jordan and Dallas. Ann noted in our interview about them, now reportedly in their 60s, “They’re great and I have known them for so many years. We can laugh together, which we always do. I love them!”

Next: Legendary Redhead Ann-Margret, 84, Reflects on Her 50-Year Marriage With Stunning Throwback Photo

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