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The Gunsmoke Cast: Where Are They Now? Shocking Secrets And The Last Surviving Stars In 2024

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The legendary Western series Gunsmoke remains one of the most iconic and longest-running dramas in television history, spanning 20 seasons and 635 episodes from 1955 to 1975. As of late 2024, the enduring legacy of Marshal Matt Dillon, Miss Kitty, and Doc Adams continues to captivate new generations, but the lives of the actors who brought these Dodge City legends to life were often as dramatic and complex as the stories they told on screen.

This deep-dive article explores the full biography of the main cast, reveals the sensitive, little-known secrets from behind the scenes, and provides the most current updates on the few surviving stars who are still active today. From a World War II hero to a Hollywood star who tragically died of AIDS complications, the true stories of the Gunsmoke cast are far more compelling than fiction.

The Core Cast of Gunsmoke: Full Biography and Legacy

The success of Gunsmoke rested on the shoulders of its four original main stars, who—along with Ken Curtis—formed the essential, enduring heart of Dodge City.

  • James Arness (Marshal Matt Dillon)
    • Full Name: James King Aurness
    • Born: May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • Died: June 3, 2011 (Age 88) in Brentwood, California
    • Role: U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, the central lawman of Dodge City for 20 years.
    • Key Fact: Arness was a World War II veteran, serving as an infantryman and being severely wounded in the leg during the Battle of Anzio. His injury was a contributing factor to the distinct, deliberate walk he used as Marshal Dillon.
  • Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty Russell)
    • Full Name: Beverly Louise Neill
    • Born: February 20, 1929, in Buffalo, New York
    • Died: August 16, 1989 (Age 60) in Sacramento, California
    • Role: Kitty Russell, the strong-willed, compassionate owner of the Long Branch Saloon.
    • Key Fact: Blake was a lifelong animal rights advocate. While she was a heavy smoker and initially reported to have died of cancer, her doctor later clarified the cause of death was liver failure brought on by viral hepatitis and AIDS virus complications.
  • Milburn Stone (Dr. Galen “Doc” Adams)
    • Full Name: Hugh Milburn Stone
    • Born: July 5, 1904, in Burrton, Kansas
    • Died: June 12, 1980 (Age 75) in La Jolla, California
    • Role: Doc Adams, the cantankerous but good-hearted physician of Dodge City.
    • Key Fact: Stone was the only other original cast member besides James Arness to remain with the series for its entire 20-year run, appearing in a staggering 604 episodes. He had an extensive career in film prior to Gunsmoke, dating back to the 1930s.
  • Ken Curtis (Festus Haggen)
    • Full Name: Curtis Wain Gates
    • Born: July 2, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado
    • Died: April 28, 1991 (Age 74) in Clovis, California
    • Role: Festus Haggen, the scruffy, loyal, and often comedic deputy. He replaced Dennis Weaver's character, Chester Goode.
    • Key Fact: Before acting, Curtis was a professional singer. He was a member of the legendary Western singing group The Sons of the Pioneers and even sang with Tommy Dorsey's orchestra, replacing Frank Sinatra.
  • Dennis Weaver (Deputy Chester Goode)
    • Full Name: William Dennis Weaver
    • Born: June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri
    • Died: February 24, 2006 (Age 81) in Ridgway, Colorado
    • Role: Chester Goode, Marshal Dillon's original limping deputy, known for his signature line, "Mr. Dillon!"
    • Key Fact: Weaver left the show after nine seasons to avoid being typecast as a "second banana." He successfully transitioned to a leading man, starring in his own popular series, McCloud, from 1970 to 1977.

Behind the Scenes: Shocking Secrets and LSI Facts

The 20-year run of Gunsmoke generated a host of fascinating stories, ranging from Hollywood political intrigue to surprising connections with other famous figures. These details are essential for understanding the show's cultural impact.

The Radio Cast, John Wayne, and the Casting Controversy

Few fans realize that the television version of Gunsmoke was based on a highly successful radio show that ran from 1952 to 1961. The radio cast was entirely different, leading to one of the biggest "what if" moments in TV history. The radio cast featured William Conrad as a much gruffer Matt Dillon, Parley Baer as Chester, Howard McNear (who later played Floyd the Barber on The Andy Griffith Show) as Doc, and Georgia Ellis as Kitty Russell.

When CBS decided to transition to television, they wanted a physically imposing Marshal Dillon, which led to William Conrad being passed over. It was actually Hollywood legend John Wayne who was instrumental in securing the role for James Arness. Wayne introduced the then-relatively unknown Arness for the part, even recording a short introduction for the first episode to lend his star power to the fledgling series.

This early endorsement by a Western icon ensured the show's credibility from day one, cementing Arness’s place as the definitive Marshal Dillon, despite the initial complaints from the radio cast about the change.

The Bartender Who Was Frankenstein's Monster

One of the most surprising pieces of trivia involves a recurring character who wasn't part of the main ensemble but appeared in nearly 250 episodes: Sam Noonan, the bartender at the Long Branch Saloon.

Sam was played by actor Glenn Strange (1899–1973). While he was a familiar, friendly face in Dodge City, Strange had an entirely different, and much darker, claim to fame. He was one of the few actors to play Frankenstein’s monster on film, taking on the iconic role in three Universal horror movies during the 1940s: *House of Frankenstein*, *House of Dracula*, and *Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein*.

This dual career—a gentle Western bartender and a terrifying horror icon—is one of the most unique stories of the entire Gunsmoke ensemble. Strange was a real New Mexico cowboy who sadly passed away during the show's run in 1973.

The Last Surviving Stars: Current Status in 2024

Given the series concluded nearly five decades ago, most of the core cast members have passed away. However, a few notable actors from the later seasons are still alive and, in some cases, still active in the entertainment industry as of 2024.

Buck Taylor (Deputy Newly O'Brien)

One of the most recognizable surviving actors is Buck Taylor, who played the gunsmith-turned-deputy Newly O'Brien from 1967 until the show's cancellation in 1975. Taylor was brought in to fill the void left by Roger Ewing (Thad Greenwood) and Ken Curtis (Festus Haggen) after their departures.

As of 2024, Buck Taylor (born 1938) remains active in the Western world. He is not only an actor but also a highly respected artist, known for his paintings and sketches that often depict Western scenes and characters. His recent activities confirm he continues to share insights and participate in Western-themed events, keeping the spirit of the genre alive.

Roger Ewing (Clayton Thaddeus "Thad" Greenwood)

Actor Roger Ewing played the young deputy Thad Greenwood for 36 episodes between 1965 and 1967, serving as a transitional deputy before Newly O'Brien took over.

Ewing, who was born in 1942, made a definitive decision to step away from the spotlight. After his time on Gunsmoke, he retired from acting entirely in 1972. Today, the former deputy of Dodge City lives a private life and has pursued a successful second career as a photographer in Southern California. His choice to leave Hollywood behind makes him one of the most private surviving members of the cast.

Notable Guest Stars

The show's long run meant it hosted a staggering number of future A-list actors as guest stars, many of whom are still alive today. These include William Shatner (Captain Kirk on *Star Trek*), who appeared in a 1960 episode, and Kim Darby, who had a notable guest role and is known for *True Grit*. Their appearances are a testament to the show's status as a major launching pad for Hollywood talent.

cast of gunsmoke tv series
cast of gunsmoke tv series

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