Kenny Rogers

Country music star and actor Kenny Rogers' early career was squarely focused on music, both as a performer and a producer. Best-known for his country songs, Rogers also worked in such musical genres as doo-wop and jazz. In the late '60s and much of the '70s, Rogers had a successful pop/country band, Kenny Rogers and The First Edition. His solo career began in 1976, and progressed steadily through the '80s and beyond. Rogers also appeared in several television movies inspired by his hit songs, including "Coward of the County" (1981) and "Christmas in America" (1990). "Kenny Rogers as The Gambler" (1980) was successful enough to rate four sequels through 1994. Rogers branched out onto the big screen in 1982, with a part in the racing comedy "Six Pack." He has also made appearances on the television series "Touched by an Angel" and "How I Met Your Mother." Kenny Rogers died at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia on March 20, 2020 at the age of 81.