Where was Festus from on Gunsmoke?

Mr. Curtis, whose real name was Curtis Gates, was born in Lamar, Colo. He was a sheriff’s son and worked on a jail farm as a boy. He made his debut in show business in the 1930’s as a singer with swing bands and joined the Tommy Dorsey band when Frank Sinatra left to begin a solo career.1 мая 1991

Where was the character Festus on Gunsmoke from?

Festus was patterned after “Cedar Jack” (Frederick Munden), a man from Curtis’ Las Animas childhood. Cedar Jack, who lived 15 miles south of town, made a living cutting cedar fence posts. Curtis observed many times that Jack came to Las Animas, where he would often end up drunk and in Curtis’ father’s jail.

Why did the character Festus leave Gunsmoke?

But the biggest reason Dennis Weaver said farewell to his most famous role was due to his fear of being typecast and potentially losing out on career-changing opportunities as a result. While his decision was risky, it ended up paying off for the actor.

Did Chester ever meet Festus on Gunsmoke?

Both Chester and Festus appear together in the season nine episode “The Prairie Wolfer”, and Festus had initially appeared the previous season, playing the same character as a quasi-outlaw helping Dillon track a killer in “Us Haggens”.

When and why did Festus replace Chester on Gunsmoke?

Actor Dennis Weaver, who played Chester, wanted to pursue other opportunities. He had been on the show since the beginning. But he decided to leave during Season Nine. Production brought in actor Ken Curtis as Festus to replace the character.

How did they write Chester out of Gunsmoke?

What happened to Chester on ‘Gunsmoke’? Actor Dennis Weaver (who played TV Chester) decided to exit the series after nine seasons to pursue other opportunities. His last episode, titled “Bently,” saw Chester leave Dodge City, Kan. to find a murderer following a suspicious deathbed confession.

Where was Gunsmoke filmed?

There were 635 episodes and many of the outdoor scenes for this show were shot in Johnson Canyon near Kanab, Utah. The setting of Gunsmoke is Dodge City, Kansas during the 1870’s. A replica of the Hollywood set was created just three miles outside of Kanab.

Who guest starred the most on Gunsmoke?

But not of them crossed paths with Matt Dillon quite as much as Morgan Woodward. Woodward, whose mustachioed face illustrated the “Dirty Half-Dozen” article, guest-starred on Gunsmoke more than any other actor — 19 times, typically as the bad guy.

Who took Miss Kitty’s place on Gunsmoke?

Amanda Blake (born Beverly Louise Neill, February 21, 1929 – August 16, 1989) was an American actress best known for the role of the red-haired saloon proprietress “Miss Kitty Russell” on the western television series Gunsmoke.



Amanda Blake
Occupation Actress
Years active 1950–1989

Did they drink real beer on Gunsmoke?

Ken Curtis Played 6 Gunsmoke Characters Who Weren’t Festus

What gender was Festus’s mule on Gunsmoke?



Famous Americans who have ridden mules include Mark Twain, Buffalo Bill Cody, Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan and Ken Curtis in his character as Festus on the television show Gunsmoke. That mule, named Ruth, was actually a male.

How many different characters did Ken Curtis play on Gunsmoke?

7 different characters

Ken Curtis played 7 different characters on Gunsmoke! Coming off his early career as both a big band and country singer, Ken Curtis guest starred in many Westerns when he first came to TV, often playing numerous roles in multiple episodes of shows like Have Gun – Will Travel and Wagon Train.

How many cast members of Gunsmoke are still alive?

One died during the run of the show, in 1973, at the age of 74—Glenn Strange, a real New Mexico cowboy who played Sam the bartender. The regulars who are still with us are: Roger Ewing (Thad Greenwood), who is 73; Buck Taylor (Newly O’Brien), who is 77; and Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper), who is 79.