How did festus die on gunsmoke

Curtis, who played deputy Festus Haggin fromdied in his sleep Sunday at his home here, family members said Monday. They said the cause of death was unknown. Curtis, whose real name was Curtis Gates, was born in Lamar, Colo. He was the son of a sheriff and worked on a jail farm as a how did festus die on gunsmoke.

Ken Curtis born Curtis Wain Gates ; [1] July 2, — April 28, [2] was an American actor and singer best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the western television series Gunsmoke. His first appearance as Festus was in season 8, episode 13, "Us Haggens", which debuted December 8, Curtis joined the cast of Gunsmoke permanently as Festus in "Prairie Wolfer", season 9 episode 16, which debuted January 18, This episode feautures the same title as a episode S13E In , the family moved to Las Animas , the county seat of Bent County, so that his father, Dan Sullivan Gates, could run for sheriff. The campaign was successful, and Gates served from to as Bent County sheriff. Curtis was the quarterback of his Bent County High School football team and played clarinet in the school band.

How did festus die on gunsmoke

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Curtis may have served simply as insurance against Sinatra's likely defection, and it was Dorsey who suggested that Gates change his name to Ken Curtis.

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Film producer A. Lyles said Monday his friend was 74 when he was found dead by his wife when she awoke in their Fresno-area home Sunday morning. The onetime big band vocalist had been in apparent good health, Lyles said, attending a rodeo in nearby Clovis on Saturday. The cause of death has not been determined. Born Curtis Gates in Bent County, in the dry lands of Colorado where his father was sheriff, he worked on the family ranch and at the town jail and studied saxophone in high school. He then joined the singing group Sons of the Pioneers.

How did festus die on gunsmoke

Ken Curtis born July 2, — died April 28, ; aged 74 was the actor who played Festus Haggen in seasons of Gunsmoke. Although he appeared on Gunsmoke earlier in other roles, he was first cast as Festus in season 8 episode 13, December 8, " Us Haggens " episode Curtis joined the cast of Gunsmoke permanently as Festus in the episode " Prairie Wolfer " in Season 9 episode 16, January 18, , though this fact is often confused with a Season 13 episode of the same name " Prairie Wolfer " made five years later episode Ken was a singer before moving into acting, and combined both careers once he entered films. Curtis may have served simply as insurance against Sinatra's likely defection, and it was Dorsey who suggested that Gates change his name to Ken Curtis. Curtis then joined Shep Fields and His New Music, an all-reeds band that dispensed with a brass section. Curtis met his first wife, Lorraine Page, at Universal Studios, and they were married in

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Festus' character was known, in part, for the nasally, twangy, rural accent which Curtis developed for the role, but which did not reflect Curtis' actual voice. Share this. Log In. Curtis then joined Shep Fields and His New Music, an all-reeds band that dispensed with a brass section. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! They were married until his death in and he had two step-children. Already a Subscriber? Curtis as Festus Haggen Curtis remains best known for his role as Festus Haggen, the scruffy, cantankerous, and illiterate deputy in Gunsmoke. Lamar, Colorado , U. April 28, aged 74 Fresno , California, U. He starred in a series of musical Westerns [7] with the Hoosier Hot Shots , playing singing cowboy romantic leads. Curtis observed many times that Jack came to Las Animas, where he would often end up drunk and in Curtis' father's jail. Fresno , California, U.

Television series frequently undergo casting changes, as evidenced by Gunsmoke.

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