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Ken Curtis (I) (1916–1991)
Considering the kind of scruffy, backwoods, uneducated, Deep-South hillbilly types he played, many people would be surprised to hear that Ken Curtis wasn't actually born in the south but in the small town of Las Animas, Colorado, the son of the town sheriff. They would probably be even more surprised to learn that he began his show business career ...
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Born:in Lamar, Colorado, USADied:(age 74) in Fresno, California, USA |
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1 win.
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Known For
Gunsmoke
Festus / Festus Haggen / Brisco / Frank Eaton / Jesse / Kyle Kelly / Phil Jacks / Scout
(1959-1975)
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Filmography
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Actor (65 credits)
Actor (65 credits)
1983-1984
The Yellow Rose
(TV Series)
Hoyt Coryell
Hoyt Coryell
- The Far Side of Fear
(1984)
... Hoyt Coryell
- Villa's Gold
(1984)
... Hoyt Coryell
- Beyond Vengeance
(1984)
... Hoyt Coryell
- Chains of Fear
(1984)
... Hoyt Coryell
- Debt of Honor
(1984)
... Hoyt Coryell
1978
The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams
(TV Series)
Uncle Ned
Uncle Ned
- Once Upon a Starry Night
(1978)
... Uncle Ned
1959-1975
Gunsmoke
(TV Series)
Festus / Festus Haggen / Frank Eaton / ...
Festus / Festus Haggen / Frank Eaton / ...
- The Sharecroppers
(1975)
... Festus
- Manolo
(1975)
... Festus
- The Busters
(1975)
... Festus
- I Have Promises to Keep
(1975)
... Festus
- Hard Labor
(1975)
... Festus (credit only)
1961-1963
Ripcord
(TV Series)
Jim Buckley / Ken Buckley
Jim Buckley / Ken Buckley
- Man on a Mountain
(1963)
... Jim Buckley
- Wrong Way Down
(1963)
... Jim Buckley
- Where Do Elephants Go to Die?
(1963)
... Jim Buckley
- The Well
(1963)
... Jim Buckley
- The Trouble with Denny Collins
(1963)
... Jim Buckley
1959-1962
Have Gun - Will Travel
(TV Series)
Lucky Laski / Tom Strickland / Monk - Pelt Scavenger / ...
Lucky Laski / Tom Strickland / Monk - Pelt Scavenger / ...
- Pandora's Box
(1962)
... Lucky Laski
- Soledad Crossing
(1961)
... Tom Strickland
- Love's Young Dream
(1960)
... Monk - Pelt Scavenger
- The Naked Gun
(1959)
... Skinner Monk
- The Posse
(1959)
... Curley - Posse Member
1961
The Aquanauts
(TV Series)
Head Waiter / Horton
Head Waiter / Horton
- The Diana Adventure
(1961)
... Head Waiter
- The Stakeout Adventure
(1961)
... Horton
1960
Wagon Train
(TV Series)
Kyle Cleatus / Pappy Lightfoot
Kyle Cleatus / Pappy Lightfoot
- The Colter Craven Story
(1960)
... Kyle Cleatus
- The Horace Best Story
(1960)
... Pappy Lightfoot
1957
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
(TV Series)
Major Hendericks
Major Hendericks
- Warpath
(1957)
... Major Hendericks (uncredited)
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Soundtrack (15 credits)
Soundtrack (15 credits)
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Producer (3 credits)
Producer (3 credits)
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Thanks (1 credit)
Thanks (1 credit)
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Self (9 credits)
Self (9 credits)
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Archive footage (12 credits)
Archive footage (12 credits)
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Personal Details
Other Works:
(1949-52) Curtis served as the lead singer for 'The Sons of the Pioneer'", the foremost Western vocal group in history. His hits with the group included "Room Full of Roses" and "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky". See more »Alternate Names:
Sons of the PioneersHeight:
6' (1.83 m)
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Did You Know?
Personal Quote:
I'm really proud of Gunsmoke (1955). We put on a good show every week, one that families could all watch together without offending anyone.Trivia:
While appearing in John Ford westerns, he initially utilized his musical talents before turning to straight acting. In Rio Grande (1950) he was a guitar-playing lead-singing tenor with the "Regimental Singers". In The Quiet Man (1952) he played an accordion and sang tenor in the bar. See more »Trademark:
Before 'Gunsmoke', he often appeared in films with John Wayne and/or directed by John Ford. See more »Star Sign:
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