Robert Logan, ’77 Sunset Strip’ star and adventure film icon, dies at 82

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As a lifelong fan of classic television shows, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of nostalgia upon learning about the passing of Robert Logan. Known to millions as the hip and charming J.R. Hale on “77 Sunset Strip,” Logan was more than just a beloved character on my screen; he was an integral part of my childhood memories.

As a devoted fan, I’m deeply saddened to share that Robert Logan, famously recognized for his role as the valet parking attendant in the captivating ABC detective series “77 Sunset Strip,” has passed away at the age of 82.

According to The Times, Anthony Francis Logan announced on Thursday that his father passed away on May 6 due to natural causes in Estero, Florida. He decided to wait until now to make the announcement so that his father’s official obituary could be completed first.

Logan described him as truly exceptional, a very involved, daring father much like the character Skip Robinson from the films. We feel incredibly fortunate to have shared time with him and grateful for having known him.

Robert Logan Jr., born in Brooklyn on May 29, 1941, was the eldest among eight siblings born to bank executive Francis Logan and Catherine Quigley. He studied at the University of Arizona on a baseball scholarship, where he caught the eye of a Warner Bros. talent scout.

Logan first gained fame as the cool, street-smart valet driver character J.R. Hale in the detective TV series “77 Sunset Strip.” This show featured Efren Zimbalist Jr. and Roger Smith as the quick-witted, ladies’ man detectives Stu Bailey and Jeff Spencer, who worked out of an office on the 77 Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Logan appeared in 50 episodes during the fourth and fifth seasons, taking over the role from Edd Byrnes, who had previously played Kookie, a valet who became part of the detective duo.

After the termination of “77 Sunset Strip,” I found myself appearing in episodes of “Dr. Kildare” and “Mr. Novak.” I was fortunate enough to reunite with Byrnes for the musical comedy “Beach Ball” in 1965, and I shared the screen with Fess Parker as Jericho Jones on NBC’s “Daniel Boone.”

As a movie enthusiast, allow me to share my thoughts on “The Adventures of the Wilderness Family,” where Hugh O’Brian portrayed the character Skip Robinson. This 1975 film follows Skip, a construction worker from LA, yearning for a change from the grime and corruption of urban life. Seeking solace, he and his wife Susan Damante, along with their two young children, retreat to a rustic cabin in the majestic Rocky Mountains that Skip himself built.

The small-scale movie earned significant acclaim, bringing in a revenue of approximately $28.8 million at the ticket counter. This success paved the way for two follow-ups: “The Wilderness Family’s Continued Journey” released in 1978, and “Mountain Family Robinson” that hit screens in 1979.

In his latest significant appearance, he portrayed a rocket engineer and a distant spouse in the 1986 romantic film with an erotic theme titled “A Night in Heaven.”

Logan passed away before his parents Frank and Catherine, his sisters Maureen Messrah and Carol Dawson, his brother Francis Logan Jr., his niece Brittany Bertram, and his nephew-in-law Scott Wilson.

He leaves behind his wife Alina, who they were married for 39 years, their daughter Courtney Worthington, son Anthony, and daughter-in-law Hayley. Additionally, he is survived by three granddaughters – Elsa Worthington, Ingrid, and Alma Logan. His siblings include Logan “Patty” Lahey, Theresa Bertram, Janet Haines, and Timothy Logan. Beyond these immediate family members, there are numerous nieces and nephews who also mourn his passing.

Logan is interred at Cedar Grove Cemetery on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

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2024-08-10 01:14