Louis Quinn; TV, Film Actor and Gag Writer

Louis (Louie) Quinn, a longtime gag writer who became better known as a comedian on the old “77 Sunset Strip” television series, died Wednesday of lung cancer.

The veteran character actor and writer best known for his portrayal of Roscoe, the race track tout on the detective-comedy series, was 73 when he died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Quinn was born in Chicago and came to Los Angeles as a boy. After graduating from Los Angeles High School, he began writing material for such radio stars as Orson Welles, Paul Whiteman and Don McNeill of “The Breakfast Club” fame. When Milton Berle moved from radio to television, Quinn followed him and did some of the writing for Berle’s showcase, “The Texaco Star Theater.”

Quinn also hosted some of his own programs, among them a show on KHJ-TV and radio interview programs from the Copacabana in New York and Crossroads Lounge in Chicago.

At the same time, he pursued a film career, appearing in “The Crowded Sky,” “The Al Capone Story” and “Gypsy.” On television, besides “77 Sunset Strip,” where he was seen from 1958 to 1963, Quinn appeared in “Maverick,” “Lawman” and “Sugarfoot.”

A widower, he is survived by a daughter, brother and four sisters. A memorial service will be held Monday at 3 p.m. at Hillside Memorial Park.