Rod Lauren had a brief brush with fame in the early 1960s. He earned a Top 40 hit with “If I Had a Girl” and appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. He also made several acting appearances, most notably in The Crawling Hand.
But his fame was short-lived. His later life, marked by tragedy and controversy, became far more infamous than his entertainment career. Here’s a look at the rise and fall of Rod Lauren—also known by his real name, Roger Strunk.
| Full Name | Roger Lawrence Strunk |
|---|---|
| Stage Name | Rod Lauren |
| Born | March 20, 1939 (Fresno, California) |
| Died | July 11, 2007 (Tracy, California) |
| Genres | Traditional Pop |
| Main Instrument | Vocals |
| Years Active | 1959–1965 (entertainment industry) |
| Labels | RCA Victor |
| Known For | “If I Had a Girl” (1960) |
Early Life
Roger Lawrence Strunk was born in Fresno, California in 1939. He later moved with his family to Tracy, California, where he spent most of his teenage years. At Tracy High School, he played trombone in the school band and developed a love for music. After graduation, he began performing locally with a group called The Buddies.
This exposure helped him catch the attention of music scouts. In 1959, RCA Victor offered him a recording contract. Around the same time, he adopted the stage name Rod Lauren—a move that gave him a polished image fit for a pop crooner.
“If I Had a Girl” – His One Shining Moment
Rod Lauren’s debut single, “If I Had a Girl,” was released in late 1959. By early 1960, the song had reached #31 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success led to two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, which was a huge accomplishment for a young artist at the time.
The song had a classic traditional pop sound—simple, romantic, and delivered with Lauren’s clean, emotive voice. For a brief moment, he looked like a promising star.
However, the success didn’t last. Follow-up singles like:
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“A Wild Imagination”
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“Listen My Love”
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“A Searcher for Love”
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“I Ain’t Got You”
all failed to chart. As a result, Rod Lauren was labeled a one-hit wonder, a tag that would follow him for the rest of his life.
Transition to Acting
Though his singing career stalled, Lauren found new opportunities in acting. He made guest appearances on television, including a role on Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1962.
In 1963, he starred in the cult sci-fi film The Crawling Hand, which remains his most recognized screen role. He also appeared in the war drama Once Before I Die (1966), which starred Ursula Andress.
It was during the filming of Once Before I Die—shot in the Philippines—that he met Nida Blanca, a rising star in Filipino cinema. The meeting would change the course of his life.
Life in the Philippines and Marriage to Nida Blanca
Rod Lauren and Nida Blanca married in 1979. After the wedding, Lauren settled permanently in Manila, where he resumed using his real name, Rod Strunk. Blanca, meanwhile, continued her illustrious career as one of the most respected actresses in the Philippines.
For years, the couple lived quietly. Lauren avoided the spotlight while Blanca remained active in TV and film. They were seen as a relatively happy couple by those close to them.
The Murder of Nida Blanca
Tragedy struck on November 6, 2001. Nida Blanca was found brutally murdered in the parking garage of a San Juan City office building. She had been stabbed multiple times.
The shocking crime rocked the Philippines. Lauren, now Rod Strunk, became one of the suspects. Authorities alleged that marital problems and financial issues could have been motives. Strunk denied any involvement.
Legal Troubles and Extradition Battle
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In 2002, the Philippine government allowed Lauren to fly to the United States to visit his dying mother. After her death, he refused to return to face questioning. The Department of Justice in the Philippines then filed murder charges and sought his extradition.
Lauren successfully fought extradition in U.S. courts. Authorities cited insufficient evidence linking him to Blanca’s murder. Despite strong public suspicion, the case against him never advanced. Blanca’s death remains unsolved.
Final Years and Death
Rod Lauren lived a quiet and troubled life in the U.S. after the case. He moved back to Tracy, California, where he had grown up. On July 11, 2007, he died by suicide after jumping from the second-floor balcony of a hotel.
He was 67 years old.