Ken Curtis
Ken Curtis
Ken Curtiswas an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running CBS Western television series Gunsmoke. Although he appeared on Gunsmoke in other roles, he first appeared in his iconic role along in season 8 episode 13, "Us Haggens". His next appearance was with his mule Ruth in "Prairie Wolfer", season 9 episode 16, also featuring Noah Beery, Jr. as the episode's villain...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionTV Actor
Date of Birth2 July 1916
CityLamar, CO
CountryUnited States of America
I'm really proud of Gunsmoke. We put on a good show every week - one that families could all watch together without offending anyone.
I wouldn't care if they tattoo Festus all over. He's been good to me.
We did some jumping at the start of the show. We went out without telling anyone - and the studio liked to kill us. They were threatened with cancellation of their production insurance.
I've thought about doing other dramatic roles besides westerns, but I grew up in the West and I know the West.
I really miss Gunsmoke. It was like losing my whole family.
The scenes in the show were filmed with a crew of really excellent stunt jumpers, but we had the feel of the parachutes, so we could be more realistic in the roles.
In this business you break a leg and 150 other people are out of work while production is shut down. It's not like you were an accountant and could still work with your leg in a cast.
I joined Tommy Dorsey at the Paramount Theater in New York as a singer. I replaced Frank Sinatra.
I'm really proud ofGunsmoke. We put on a good show every week-one that families could all watch together without offending anyone.
Of course, western is my native music,
I'd stop in the middle of a gun fight and sing a song.