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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsName a well-known actor who once appeared on "Gunsmoke" without using Google.
The TV show "Gunsmoke'" began in 1955 and ran for 20 seasons.
The show won 15 Primetime Emmy Awards.
Many well-known actors made their first television appearance on Gunsmoke.
Can you name one without using Google?
(Guesses are always welcome)

zeusdogmom
(1,097 posts)
Burt Reynolds appeared as Quint Asper, a half-Comanche blacksmith who eventually becomes a Dodge City deputy marshal.
Skittles
(166,076 posts)Micheal Landon?
stillcool
(34,386 posts)Chuck Connors?

stillcool
(34,386 posts)calguy
(5,937 posts)red dog 1
(31,457 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 13, 2025, 11:07 PM - Edit history (1)
rsdsharp
(11,068 posts)William Conrad (Cannon) played the radio Matt, and Howard McNear (Floyd the barber) played Doc. McNear also appeared on the TV version.
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)Thanks for catching that mistake.
On the TV show, Dennis Weaver played Chester Goode.
rsdsharp
(11,068 posts)in Cool Hand Luke.
Also, John Anderson 13 times.
dlilafae
(255 posts)as Marshall Dillon.
subterranean
(3,658 posts)Just a guess, but he seems like someone who might have appeared on Gunsmoke.
My other guess would be Peter Falk.
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)Peter Falk did appear on the TV show
Wiz Imp
(6,059 posts)If I remember correctly they included Jodie Foster, Erin Moran & Willie Aames
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
I tried to post a YouTube video of that show -- it was called "P.S. Murry Christmas"
hlthe2b
(110,693 posts)Last edited Fri Jun 13, 2025, 09:50 PM - Edit history (1)
And also Col Potter, Harry Morgan...
Tons of others. Nearly everyone guested on Gunsmoke.

Harker
(16,592 posts)red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
I have generic memories of the show from childhood, but nothing concrete.
GP6971
(35,815 posts)red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
Moosepoop
(2,066 posts)She played the matriarch of an outlaw gang. She and her sons kidnapped Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty, seeking revenge for the death of her husband for which she blamed Dillon.
Thanks for this, red dog 1!
ProfessorGAC
(73,625 posts)...she slapped Miss Kitty. (Amanda Blake(
Audiences of that era weren't expecting that!
Blake said that in order to get the intensity, they were actually hitting one another!
I chimed in to your post, because Bette was the first one I thought of, too.
malthaussen
(18,178 posts)Big screen, little screen, it didn't matter. In 21 years, virtually every actor in Hollywood appeared in "Gunsmoke" at one time or another, some for multiple shows.
-- Mal
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)many when they were very young.
underpants
(191,517 posts)Gary Busey guest starred in the "Gunsmoke" episode "The Busters" (Season 20, Episode 22), playing the character Harve Daley. He was the last man killed on the show, dying from a head injury after being thrown from a horse.
Here's a more detailed look:
Character: Gary Busey's character, Harve Daley, was a bronco buster.
Death: He was thrown from a wild horse and sustained a fatal head injury, according to IMDb.
Episode: The episode, "The Busters," aired on March 10, 1975.
Significance: Harve Daley's death was the final male death on the long-running series.
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
Harker
(16,592 posts)I'll keep guessing til I whiff three times.
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)Harker
(16,592 posts)Steee-rike one.
Tarzanrock
(1,197 posts)Tarzanrock
(1,197 posts)what Western television series has Jack Elam not appeared in? Also, Dennis Hopper for the same reason.
red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
kacekwl
(8,471 posts)try to name the various dust stars. Great fun.
Darren mcgavin
LetMyPeopleVote
(166,448 posts)red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
Welcome to DU!

Harker
(16,592 posts)Looking for a comeback pick.

He appeared in five episodes.
mentalsolstice
(4,595 posts)red dog 1
(31,457 posts)
Aristus
(70,416 posts)It was set during the Old West.
Harker
(16,592 posts)GusBob
(7,929 posts)
He was in 2 episodes:
- as Hobey in "The Sodbusters." and
- as Print in "Whelan's Men"
GusBob
(7,929 posts)I normally dont go to bars but on a recent Sunday afternoon I went to sign up for a charity fundraiser. The show was on and the place was quiet with a few other couples, startled, I said out loud; IS THAT HARRISON FORD ON GUNSMOKE? Just then the scene switched him out and folks were giving me the side eye like I was a crazy guy.
Then the scene switched back and there he was. It was a gambling scene.
Everyone at the bar started talking about it and the owner, whom I guess is a Gunsmoke fan, bought me a free beer.
I think as I left they were in fact googling all the famous actors who were on the show
Harker
(16,592 posts)no_hypocrisy
(52,340 posts)that Bette Davis and Dame Judith Anderson appeared on "Wagon Train".
gladium et scutum
(821 posts)eShirl
(19,390 posts)pdxflyboy
(865 posts)Dennis Hopper!
Rincewind
(1,313 posts)boonecreek
(1,135 posts)Played Kate McCoy on "The Real McCoys."