If you have a job for two decades, you’re bound to miss at least a few workdays over the years. Things happen. People get sick, there are family emergencies, weather issues, etc. But James Arness was wholly committed to his role as Matt Dillon. In 20 years of filming, he was the only actor to appear in each and every episode of the show.
It is possible that, because he was the star of the show, producers and the rest of the cast worked around his sick days. But, it’s also possible that he simply pushed through and showed up no matter what the circumstances were.
Festus Haggen
Festus Haggen is Matt Dillon’s second deputy, and one of the most beloved characters on the show. Festus brings a unique personality (and vocabulary) to the scenes he is a part of. The role is played by the late singer and actor, Ken Curtis.
Curtis grew up on a ranch in Colorado and played quarterback on his high school football team. After college, he started his career in entertainment by signing on as a vocalist with the Tommy Dorsey Band.
Gunsmoke Killed Gilligan’s Island
In 1967, "Gunsmoke" was nearly canceled, and its spot was given to someone else. But when President Lyndon B. Johnson reportedly told CBS he was a fan, they had to reevaluate. Around this time, "Gilligan’s Island" was enjoying its prime-time slot on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. Unfortunately for fans of that show, "Gunsmoke" needed somewhere else to go – and just like that, it replaced Gilligan and his crew.
Luckily, it worked like a charm, and the show's ratings skyrocketed. It became the 4th most watched show in the U.S.
Turning to Art
Buck Taylor is most well-known for his eight-year stint as Newly O’Brien. But the actor is also a multi-talented man. Before he even went into acting, Taylor pursued a path as an Olympic gymnast.
At the same time, he was studying art at the University of Southern California. Then, he landed his breakthrough role and his entire life changed. Plus, the show wouldn’t be quite the same without him.
Buck Taylor After "Gunsmoke"
Although Taylor has continued to act straight into the 2000s, appearing in 2004’s "Tombstone", he’s shifted his focus back to art.
The actor can still be seen on film and TV from time to time, but he spends most of his days working on his paintings, which he sells on his website, bucktaylor.com. His work can also be seen displayed in several places throughout Texas.