Ken Curtis Had To Follow One Condition To Play Festus On Gunsmoke

"Gunsmoke" was CBS' groundbreaking foray into the world of television westerns for an adult audience, and it paid off incredibly well for them. The popular western drama lasted for 20 seasons and five television movies, all of which were led by James Arness as the steadfast Marshal Matt Dillon. Although he was the face of "Gunsmoke," the series grew out its ensemble cast with characters like Doc Adams (Milburn Stone) and Long Branch Saloon owner Kitty Russell (Amanda Blake). For the series' first nine seasons, the role of Dillon's right hand man went to Dennis Weaver as the timid, boyish non-deputy Chester Goode. The character was a holdover from the popular radio series who couldn't keep up physically with the Marshal on account of his limp, but his spirit made him a valuable presence in the show.

When Weaver left the show to take on new career opportunities, there was an open slot ready to be filled in. Dillon needed someone by his side, which was a call actor Ken Curtis was ready to answer. But rather than recasting the Chester character, "Gunsmoke" instead opted to expand upon Festus Haggen, a character that appeared as a one-off guest appearance in season 8 ("Us Haggens").

Unlike Chester, Festus would actually be endowed with the duties of a deputy, and ultimately stick around until the series finale in 1975. In addition to serving as a legitimate aide to Dillon, the hillbilly turned aide of the law was also propped up as a comedic relief character whose cantankerous, yet kind personality made him a reliable source for laughs. One of his most recognizable trademarks, however, would be that of the infamous scruff that he'd always be scratching. As it turns out, Curtis would have to keep his bristle in order to play Festus.

Curtis was a relatively clean shaven man in most of his screen roles prior to nabbing the gig on "Gunsmoke." It's almost jarring to look at if you've only ever seen him as Festus. In fact, it was so confusing that a reader of the Akron Beacon Journal in 1964 had rung into the newspaper to see because she wasn't sure if the clean-shaven Curtis in the '60s action series "Ripcord" was the son of the actor playing Festus on "Gunsmoke" who also happened to share the same name. They're one and the same, actually. Curtis had used his scruff when he shot his first appearance on the CBS western drama, which he believes is part of the reason why he was brought into the fold, and it was something he was told he had to keep and never shave off (via MeTV):

"Sometimes I think I got the role because I've got the mangiest beard in Hollywood. At first, I felt grubby. Now I'm used to it. I don't even think about it when I'm out in public— not until I notice people staring at me."

To Curtis' credit, his bristle lends a lived-in quality to the character. His presence in the show would bring an entirely different energy without it. Festus, after all, originated on "Gunsmoke" as a hillbilly who presented himself as slightly unkempt, always scratching away at his bristles. It became a staple of the Dodge City deputy, yet it's rather ironic that the character's demeanor originated in John Ford's seminal western classic "The Searchers," albeit without the beard or dirty apparel.

The singer turned actor would star in a number of Ford features like "The Horse Soldiers" and "How the West Was Won," yet couldn't seem to lock down any meaningful leading roles. In a surprising turn of events, Curtis' delegation from failed leading man to comedic relief sidekick wasn't so much a downgrade, but an opportunity to have a good time playing someone silly (via MeTV):

"There's too much sameness to a leading man. I can have fun with Festus Haggen, but playing Jim Buckley on 'Ripcord' got to be a drag."

If Curtis' idea of having fun is being on 306 episodes of television, then I'd say he found what he wanted. The actor wouldn't return for the "Gunsmoke" television movies, but he would reunite with Arness in a guest role on the "How the West Was Won" television series where he, indeed, had the beard.

Every episode of "Gunsmoke" is currently streaming on Pluto TV.