Curtis remains best known for his role as Festus Haggen, the scruffy, cantankerous, and illiterate deputy in Gunsmoke. While Marshal Matt Dillon had a total of five deputies over two decades, Festus held the role the longest (11 years), in 304 episodes.

How did Festus become deputy on Gunsmoke?

Truth is, Chester allowed Festus to become Marshal Dillon's deputy because the actor playing Chester, Dennis Weaver, left to star in his own show. ... But the changing of the guard really happened in the Season 9 episode titled "The Prairie Wolfer," where Chester and Festus actually appear together.

Who were the deputies on Gunsmoke?

The supporting characters included Miss Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake), owner of the Long Branch Saloon, which doubled as a bordello; Doc Adams (Milburn Stone), the town's adept physician; and Deputy Marshal Chester Goode (Dennis Weaver), Dillon's loyal sidekick.

What episode of Gunsmoke did Festus become a deputy?

Gunsmoke - Season 10 Episode 17: Deputy Festus - Metacritic.

How did Festus leave Gunsmoke?

Reportedly, Curtis based the character off a local drunk in his town, adapting that country twang to film. Festus ended up staying in Dodge City for the remainder of the show's run, until it was canceled in 1975.

Festus Haggen Deputy US Marshal (Gunsmoke)

38 related questions found

Why was Chester written off of Gunsmoke?

Dennis Weaver decided to leave his role as Chester Goode on “Gunsmoke” after nine seasons. ... A portion of that interview appeared in an article on Weaver's death in The Los Angeles Times. “The reason I got away from 'Gunsmoke' was that I wanted to leave the second banana role,” Weaver said to the Toronto newspaper.

Why was Festus not in Return to Dodge?

According to reports, Ken Curtis held out for too much money and subsequently did not reprise his role as Festus, what remains of his part is filled in by character actor Mickey Jones as Oakum. Too bad, it would have been great to see him don the spurs one more time.

What happened to Chester leg on Gunsmoke?

Chester Goode supposedly got that wound during the Civil War. Weaver sometimes forgot to limp, and he sometimes limped on the wrong leg. ... We'll have to keep an eye out for that next time we watch Gunsmoke.

Who was on Gunsmoke before Festus?

Curtis played Festus Haggin, sidekick to Marshal Matt Dillon, from 1964 to 1975, when the series ended. He replaced Dennis Weaver, who played Chester Goode before leaving the show after nine years. Mr.

Why was Chester's leg stiff on Gunsmoke?

One of Chester's most noticeable features is his stiff right leg — the cause of which is never explicitly stated, though it's implied that he was injured during the Civil War. In an interview conducted four years before his death, Dennis revealed that he invented the character's disability during his audition.

Who was Matt Dillon's deputy before Festus?

Dennis Weaver, whose portrayal of Deputy Chester Goode in the classic television western "Gunsmoke" made him the favorite sidekick of the early television era, died on Friday at his home in Ridgway, Colo. He was 81.

Who guest starred the most on Gunsmoke?

'Gunsmoke': Michael Landon's Best Friend Victor French Held Record for Most Guest Appearances on the Show. Gunsmoke was on the air for two decades. So the beloved western relied on a bevy of guest stars. Victor French was there alongside Marshal Matt Dillon in Dodge City for 23 shows.

Where was Festus Haggen?

Career: Deputy Marshal, Dodge City, KS, U.S.

How many times was Ken Curtis on Gunsmoke not as Festus?

He played a half-Native American scout in the episode “Speak Me Fair” for instance, according to IMDB. Curtis played various roles during the series' early days, making infrequent appearances. But he wouldn't play Festus for the first time until 1962 in the Season 8 Episode 13, “Us Haggens.”

Did Festus get killed on Gunsmoke?

Ken Curtis, a singer and actor who played the scruffy deputy Festus on the television series “Gunsmoke,” died in his sleep on Sunday at his home. He was 74 years old. His death was attributed to natural causes, said A. C. Lyle, a producer at Paramount Studios.

What was Festus real name?

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) _ Ken Curtis, a singer and actor who starred as Marshal Matt Dillon's sidekick on the long-running television western ″Gunsmoke,″ has died at age 74.

Did they drink real beer on Gunsmoke?

The Gunsmoke actors actually drank beer, but the whiskey was tea or colored water. Marshall Trimble is Arizona's official historian and vice president of the Wild West History Association.

Did Peter Graves and James Arness get along?

Although they were both very active in movies and television at the same time, they never acted together. But Graves did direct a 1955 episode of Gunsmoke, the long-running TV series that starred his big brother in the role of Marshal Matt Dillon.

Where was Gunsmoke filmed?

The television series of Gunsmoke ran from 1955 to 1975 and is said to be one of the longest running prime-time shows on television. 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.

Did James Arness and Dennis Weaver get along?

Weaver and actor James Arness were close friends since their 1955 screen test for "Gunsmoke."

What is wrong with Festus eye?

Often, Festus would squint with the right eye partially closed as well. This means he is right handed but left eye dominant. ... Refused an offer to appear as Festus Haggen in the movie Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987), which reunited James Arness, Amanda Blake, Buck Taylor and Fran Ryan from the original series.

Are Ken and Tony Curtis related?

(AP) _ Ken Curtis, a singer and actor who starred as Marshal Matt Dillon's sidekick on the long-running television western ″Gunsmoke,″ has died at age 74. ... Curtis in the television series Ripcord (T/F) Ken Curtis is the brother of actor Tony Curtis.