Thad
Roger Ewing is probably most well-remembered for playing deputy marshal Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood, AKA, “Thad,” on the show. He stuck around for two seasons before the show was temporarily canceled in 1967. When it came back on the air – Thad was nowhere to be found.
Ewing decided to try and stay off-screen as much as possible after his days on “Gunsmoke”. Being an introverted person, he wasn’t thrilled about living life as a celebrity.
Adding Goode's Accent
Chester Goode was the first character cast during the first year of the show's production. Goode is played by Dennis Weaver who is known for his heavy accent and noticeable limp. The accent was an afterthought during the audition process, after Weaver’s first go-round when he was told that they wish he would’ve brought “more humor to the role.”
He added the accent to his line delivery the second time around – along with the famous limp – and producers were on the floor laughing.
Weaver Had to Audition With Everyone
Weaver was the first actor cast for the show, which meant that he had the privilege of setting some of the tone when it came to casting the other actors. What does that mean?
Well, he had to do chemistry checks with all the other actors, which meant he was present and reading with almost everyone who came to audition for the roles of Matt Dillon and Doc. Luckily, they ended up filling these roles too.
Casting Matt Dillon
Before James Arness landed the leading role of Marshal Matt Dillon dozens of other actors were up for the part. Among the others who almost played the show’s protagonist were actors you know and love from other projects.
Raymond Burr ended up playing the title characters in both "Perry Mason" and "Ironside" was considered for the role. William Conrad was considered first since it was he who voiced Dillon’s role on the original "Gunsmoke" radio program.
Too Big To Be Dillon
Producers considered actors like Raymond Burr and William Conrad but they both ended up losing the role. The reasoning behind not casting them? Producers believed them both to be too big-boned to play the part of the marshal.
They also reportedly asked John Wayne to take on the role, but he had little interest in performing on television. But guess who John Wayne recommended for the role, instead? You guessed it: his buddy, James Arness.