Ken Curtis

Ken Curtis (born Curtis Wain Gates; July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991) was an American actor and singer best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the western television series Gunsmoke. He appeared on Gunsmoke earlier in other roles (such as “Brisco” in S4E32’s “Change of Heart"). His first appearance as Festus was in season 8, episode 13, "Us Haggens", which debuted December 8, 1962. His next appearance was Season 9, episode 2, October 5, 1963, as Kyle Kelly, in "Lover Boy". Curtis joined the cast of Gunsmoke permanently as Festus in "Prairie Wolfer", season 9 episode 16, which debuted January 18, 1964. The episode often is confused with a 1969 episode of the same title made five years later (S13E10).