Tresh: Warren Oates. Torreon: Vito Scotti. Festus: Ken Curtis. She was a mainstay on the show, however, she decided to leave her role after 19 years. James Arness, a great Sequoia tree in the forest of TV Western heroes, has died; he was 88. Arness and Blake get big laughs at Dennis Weaver's rope fumbling during a rehearsal. Festus: Ken Curtis. Kitty: Amanda Blake. Stretch: Wayne Rogers. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry.Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. Thad: Roger Ewing. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry.Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. Captured by Matt, a young outlaw waits for his older brother to free him. Abelia: [opens door and enters room] I forgot my nightgown. 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Airing during what's regarded as the Golden Age of TV Westerns, "Gunsmoke" was just one of 30 different shoot-em-ups, or "horse operas," on TV in 1959 (viaPBS). So instead, they cut Gilligan, and his crew and Gunsmoke stole their time slot. Beal . Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Festus's nephew arrives, seeking a bride who can read and write. Mount your horses and get ready for a wild ride, because today we're revisiting Gunsmoke, the sweeping western drama that's been called America's own Iliad and The Odyssey.For two decades, from 1955 to 1975, Gunsmoke, which started out as a radio show, was appointment television for families around the nation. She played the character of Miss Kitty for 19 years before leaving the show in 1974. Thad: Roger Ewing. Doc: Milburn Stone. How well do you know the character MacGyver? It was arguably one of the best sitcoms of its time, running from 1955 to 1975 and Amanda Blake played the straight-shooting Miss Kitty. Festus has a tracking job which leads him to Ab Read allThe Ward gang is on the run after a bank robbery. [4] Television [ edit] A startled Matt discovers that the fleeing train robber he wounded is a woman. A haircut changed DeForest Kelley's whole career, Clint Eastwood dreamed of owning a ranch after Rawhide, Richard Boone believed actors should fight over roles, not dressing rooms. Stone was given naming rights since it was his character, and he decided on the name "Galen.". Doc: Milburn Stone. How else to explain that a core cast could work together for two decades? Festus: Ken Curtis. . Beal: Slim Pickens. Jeffords: Lee Van Cleef. President Ronald Reagan is flanked by Blake and Garland Murphy of the American Cancer Institute, during a White House ceremony in 1984. The gang loses one of the Ward brothers, shot in the stomach, while Abelia and another gang member go to Dodge for a painkiller; in town Festus and Newly have a run-in with the pair. One member of the gang, Judd's brother Deeter, was shot and seriously wounded during the escape. TV Shows. The gang loses one of the Ward brothers, shot in the stomach, while Abelia and another gang member go to Dodge for a painkiller; in town Festus and Newly have a run-in with the pair. You also get to see Peter, Jan, and Cindy from The Brady Bunch. Miss Blake died Wednesday night at Mercy General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Jerri Ewen. Matt: James Arness. Part 1. This list contains notable cast members of the Gunsmoke radio and TV series, and TV movies. She was a mainstay on the show, however, she decided to leave her role after 19 years. Walker: Willard Sage. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Jack: Steve Ihnat. Asa: Sam Wanamaker. Kitty: Amanda Blake. Thad: Roger Ewing. Bernie: Charles Kuenstle. Kitty: Amanda Blake. Emery: Shug Fisher. Doc Adams didn't leave Gunsmoke by choice despite the stereotypes that actors leave shows over drama behind the scenes.For the whole 20 years the series was on the air from 1955 until 1975, he appeared in an impressive 605 of 635 episodes, according to IMBD.. Mandee: Simon Oakland. This list contains notable cast members of the Gunsmoke radio and TV series, and TV movies. ", Fortunately for Weaver, however, the move proved to be the right one as far as his ongoing career in the industry was concerned. Gunsmoke was set in Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1890s and began as a radio program that CBS aired from 1952 to 1961. Amanda Blake made the character into everything that made her popular. Jonas: Dabbs Greer. By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. Verlyn: Bob Random. It's also the second-longest-running television series of all time with 5 Emmys to boot. Why did Amanda Blake leave Gunsmoke? There was a lot of speculation and confusion over the cause of death. Here are some things you may not have known about the iconic show. Gunsmokes success prompted many imitations, but none enjoyed its longevity or rose to its heights. ", The Real Reason Chester Was Written Off Gunsmoke. Angus: Chips Rafferty. Kitty: Amanda Blake. Given she had reportedly fought cancer off several years earlier, some reports said Amanda passed away from cancer. Jud: Paul Carr. The political focus on anti-violence became so strong during this period that the show felt it was inappropriate to keep airing Matt Dillon in a gunfight every single week. Its popularity spawned a number of copycats, but none would enjoy the longevity (and few the consistent quality) of this classic. Pearl: Judy Carne. Dano: Nehemiah Persoff. Web: Jeremy Slate. Matt: James Arness. She was 60. Ed: Scott Marlowe. Doc: Milburn Stone. He died of a brain tumor in the third to last episode of the series in the role of Harve Daley. Judd Ward and his gang of outlaws are on the run after robbing a bank in Garden City. Malachi: Harry Townes. Tigue: Richard Webb. Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987), Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990), Gunsmoke: To the Last Man (1992), Gunsmoke: The Long Ride (1993), and Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994). Crandall: Joseph Hoover. Then, in 1970, Weaver landed another role that would see him in a cowboy hat and occasionally atop a horse, as he took on the lead in the modern-day police drama "McCloud," which would run until 1977 (per IMDb). See . She didnt want to live in a goldfish bowl., Milburn Stone Aka "Doc" Didn't Leave 'Gunsmoke' by Choice, The Actor Behind Chester on 'Gunsmoke' Grew Restless Playing the Sidekick. Director Bill Conrad (center, with his back to the camera) walks the cast through a script. She is perhaps best known for her role as Elaine Parker in the 1987 hit horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and its sequel, A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988). John: Douglas Kennedy. Betsy: Lesley Ann Warren. Doc: Milburn Stone. Woody: Joe Don Baker. The show popularized the phrase 'Get out of Dodge', 9. David: Teno Pollick. Sandy: Tim O'Kelly. Newly knew right away she'd be his bride. Kitty: Amanda Blake. Emery . Vote for your favorite items on this poll, including William Shatner Burt Reynolds and more. Gunsmoke - Full Cast & Crew 1955 -2022 20 Seasons CBS Drama TVG Watchlist Where to Watch This landmark adult Western centered on Marshal Matt Dillon of Dodge City. Festus: Ken Curtis. Miss Kitty was a fan-favorite on Gunsmoke, as the owner of the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. Ken Curtis played multiple characters. GUN SMOKE! Alright, let's get the Hell into Dodge! Let's take a peek behind the scenes of this most iconic of American Westerns. After 19 years of doing that commute, she decided enough was enough. Members of the Texas A&M football team meet Arness as they visit the set, October 9, 1964. So why was Weaver's fan-favorite character written off the show in its ninth season ostensibly at the height of the show's popularity? Hickman Hill, grandson of veteran Western actor Tom Mix, makes his acting debut in a segment of Gunsmoke. Festus: [jumps in bed and pulls cover up] Well, you could have at least gave me a chance to get decent! Pinto: Nehemiah Persoff. Judd: Bruce Dern. Matt: James Arness. Gunsmoke was the classic Western tale of a troubled town that needed someone to make sure that law and order was enforced. He soon finds one, but runs into difficulties earning the money he needs for her dowry. Much of the series featured Dillon and his allies battling bandits, robbers, or other threats that blew in from the prairie. Gorman: Darren McGavin. Interesting to see that, in color, Goode wears a pink shirt. When going into this show knowing that this is a fun expression of entertainment then this episode is not bad at all. Lists that rank the greatest performers to hit the large and small screens. Doc: Milburn Stone. Louise: Argentina Brunetti. If you are wondering, "Who are the actors from Gunsmoke?" A flamboyant medicine-show sharpshooter challenges Festus to a duel. ET. Running from 1955 to 1975, this old-time western classic . Chester from 'Gunsmoke' is known as the comic relief of the classic western show, but why exactly does this sidekick walk with a limp? In a rough mining town to claim a gold mine, Kitty is befriended by a young mute boy. Kitty: Amanda Blake. McGovern: Karl Swenson. I'd pretty much exhausted all creative possibilities with the character, and I just wanted to do something else," he said. Blake sure earned a lot of clams working on the show. McConnell: John Anderson. The show had no idea that the network was going to cancel the show, so they weren't able to make any preparations for ending the beloved show. ASSOCIATED . Festus: Ken Curtis. Keeping the peace in Dodge City is no funny business, but Arness and Curtis share a laugh with Betty Hutton on the set. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Yes, Jill from "The Young and The Restless" played Patricia in the episode of the same name. Roger Ewing. Allie: Lane Bradbury. Gore: John Drew Barrymore. Quite the run. Spellman: Lew Gallo. Festus: Ken Curtis. Mrs. Preeker: Maudie Prickett. In the original radio series, William Conrad voiced the role of Marshal Matt Dillon. 'Gunsmoke' was one of the most popular shows, with Amanda Blake starring between 1955-1974. 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