In Memory of Actor Robert Logan ('77 Sunset Strip' and 'The Wilderness Family'): A Look Back

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Robert Logan Jr. best known as the valet parking attendant on the classic TV detective show 77 Sunset Strip (ABC, 1958-1964) died on May 6, 2024. He was 82 years old, and this is his story.

A Closer Look

Robert Francis Logan Jr. was born in Brooklyn on May 29, 1941, the oldest son of eight children born to bank executive Francis Logan and Catherine Quigley. He attended the University of Arizona on a baseball scholarship where he was scouted by a Warner Bros. talent agent.

His Big Break

Robert Logan’s big break arrived with his performance as valet driver J.R. Hale on 77 Sunset Strip. The still-beloved series starred Efren Zimbalist Jr., Roger Smith, and Edd Byrnes, who left the series ultimately making way for Logan's inclusion.

Beyond the Strip

After 77 Sunset Strip ended, Robert Logan went on to make guest appearances on TV shows like Dr. Kildare and Mr. Novak. In 1965, he reunited with Byrnes for the musical comedy Beach Ball and co-starred with Fess Parker as Jericho Jones on NBC’s Daniel Boone.

On the big screen, Logan played Skip Robinson in The Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1975), which inspired two sequels: The Further Adventures of the Wilderness Family (1978) and Mountain Family Robinson (1979).

Logan's final performance was as a rocket engineer and estranged husband in A Night in Heaven (1986).

In the End

Robert Logan left behind his wife of 39 years, Alina; his daughter, Courtney Worthington; son, Anthony, grandchildren, siblings, and several other relatives