Ken Curtis, 74, a musician and Actor best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon’s deputy and sidekick on the enduring television western “Gunsmoke,” passed away on April 28 at his home in Fresno, ( California). From 1964 through 1975, he portrayed Festus Haggen, a deputy in Dodge City, Kansas, in what was arguably the most watched western series ever. Before CBS-TV departed in 1975, it had been on the radio for 20 years.
Mr. Curtis Replaced Actor.
Dennis Weaver, who played deputy Chester Goode from 1955 until 1964, had been replaced by Mr. Curtis. Mr. Curtis was stumbling, filthy, and messy in contrast to his towering tall, supernaturally powerful, and ruggedly attractive boss, James Arness, who played Marshal Dillon. However, the squinting stare and distinctively worn-out hat undoubtedly won over fans and made him a beloved cast member.
His Family
The former Margaret Mulligan, his first wife, passed away in 1970. His wife, Margaret Kephart Glade of Leisure World, along with his two children from his first marriage, Margaret Glade Monroe of Mesa, Arizona, and Frederic H. Glade III of Kona, Hawaii, and two stepsons, John T. Jenkins of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and Thomas K. Jenkins of Delaplane, Virginia, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, are also left to mourn his passing.
In Gunsmoke As A Festus Haggen
He always drew and discharged a ■■■■■■ with his right hand on “Gunsmoke” (1955), playing Festus Haggen. Still, anytime he had to use a rifle, He would elevate it to his left shoulder and use his left hand to pull the trigger (sighting with his left eye and squinting with his right). he would raise it to his left shoulder and pull the trigger with his left hand (sighting with his left eye and squinting with his right). Festus would often blink, his right eye also half closed unless the performer or character had lost vision in his right eye.
Has A Twin Brother Is Festus?
The existence of Festus Haggen’s twin was never again referenced on Gunsmoke (1955), despite the character’s introduction in the episode “Us Haggens,” in which he arrived in Dodge City to exact revenge for the death of his twin brother.
All Of The Gunsmoke Characters Are Curtis
- Phil Jacks , a cattle drover, was the character that Curtis played in his debut Gunsmoke episode, “Jay Hawkers.”
- Brisco was the character performed by Curtis in “Change of Heart.”
- Jesse was a villain that Curtis portrayed in “Ex-Urbanites.”
- Curtis portrayed Kyle Kelly , a Casanova cowboy, in the movie “Lover Boy.”
- Curtis described Festus and his criminal lookalike Frank Eaton in “Alias Festus Haggen.”
- Curtis made his debut as Festus in "Us Haggens, " where we learn that he had a twin brother named Fergus.
Conclusion
Curtis was born in Las Animas, Colorado, the local sheriff’s son. He made his film debut in a series of low-budget Westerns for Columbia Pictures in the late 1940s. When that subgenre was no longer popular, he switched to playing straight, dramatic and comedic roles.