The Last Cowboys: Where Are The Surviving Gunsmoke Cast Members Now In 2025?

Few television series have left a legacy as enduring and profound as Gunsmoke. Running for an unprecedented 20 seasons and 635 episodes from 1955 to 1975, it remains one of the longest-running primetime scripted dramas in U.S. television history, setting the gold standard for the Western genre. The show’s success was built on the shoulders of its iconic cast, whose portrayals of Marshal Matt Dillon, Doc Adams, and Miss Kitty Russell made the fictional town of Dodge City a household name.

As of December 2025, the passage of time has sadly claimed most of the beloved main ensemble. However, a handful of key recurring and supporting actors are still with us, carrying the torch of this classic Western. This is a deep dive into the legendary cast, their full biographies, and the surprising current lives of the few who remain active today.

The Legendary Cast of Dodge City: A Complete Biography Profile

The core cast of Gunsmoke became synonymous with their characters, defining the look and feel of the American Western for two decades. Their careers and lives are a testament to the show's massive cultural footprint. This profile focuses on the main actors of the long-running television series.

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• James Arness (Marshal Matt Dillon)
  • Born: May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Died: June 3, 2011, at age 88
  • Role: The towering, stoic U.S. Marshal and central character of the series. Arness was personally recommended for the role by his friend, the legendary actor John Wayne, who introduced the pilot episode. He is the only actor to appear in all 635 episodes.
  • Years on Show: 1955–1975
• Amanda Blake (Kathleen “Kitty” Russell)
  • Born: February 20, 1929, in Buffalo, New York
  • Died: August 16, 1989, at age 60
  • Role: The sharp, compassionate, and independent proprietor of the Long Branch Saloon, a key emotional anchor for Matt Dillon and the town.
  • Years on Show: 1955–1974
• Milburn Stone (Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams)
  • Born: July 5, 1904, in Burrton, Kansas
  • Died: June 12, 1980, at age 75
  • Role: Dodge City’s crusty but kind-hearted physician, known for his medical skill and witty banter with Marshal Dillon. Stone was the second-longest-running cast member.
  • Years on Show: 1955–1975
• Dennis Weaver (Chester Goode)
  • Born: June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri
  • Died: February 24, 2006, at age 81
  • Role: Matt Dillon's loyal, limping deputy marshal, famous for his signature line, "Mister Dillon!" He left the show to pursue other projects, including the lead role in McCloud.
  • Years on Show: 1955–1964
• Ken Curtis (Festus Haggen)
  • Born: July 2, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado
  • Died: April 28, 1991, at age 74
  • Role: Chester's replacement. The scruffy, uneducated, yet highly capable deputy marshal and cousin to the Haggen clan, known for his distinctive drawl and mule, Ruth.
  • Years on Show: 1964–1975
• Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper)
  • Born: February 11, 1936, in Lansing, Michigan
  • Died: September 6, 2018, at age 82
  • Role: The half-Comanche blacksmith. Reynolds joined the cast as a young star before achieving massive fame in movies.
  • Years on Show: 1962–1965

The Last Cowboys Standing: Current Lives of Surviving Cast Members in 2025

While the core group has passed, the legacy of Gunsmoke is actively carried on by several actors who played pivotal supporting roles in the show’s later years. Their current activities, particularly in 2025, offer a fresh perspective on the long-running series and its enduring influence.

Buck Taylor (Newly O'Brian): The Western Artist

Buck Taylor, who played the beloved gunsmith-turned-deputy Newly O'Brian, is arguably the most publicly active surviving cast member today. Taylor joined the series in 1967 and stayed until the final episode in 1975, becoming a fixture of the later seasons.

Current Status: Instead of focusing solely on acting, Taylor has forged a successful second career as a respected Western artist. His artwork, which often features cowboys, horses, and classic Western landscapes, is highly sought after by collectors and fans of the genre.

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2025 Updates: As of 2025, Buck Taylor is actively participating in Western art shows and events. His official schedule confirms appearances at major Western-themed festivals and exhibitions, where he meets fans, signs autographs, and showcases his latest paintings. This dedication to preserving the spirit of the Old West through art makes him a crucial link to the show's past and an active entity in the contemporary Western community. Taylor’s role as Newly O’Brian, the young lawman who took on increasing responsibility, has transitioned into a real-life role as a cultural ambassador for the Western lifestyle.

Roger Ewing (Thad Greenwood): The Private Photographer

Roger Ewing played Deputy Marshal Thad Greenwood, a young, earnest deputy who served under Matt Dillon before Newly O'Brian's time. Ewing appeared in 36 episodes during the mid-1960s, a crucial period of transition for the show.

Current Status: Following his time on *Gunsmoke* and a few subsequent acting roles, Ewing stepped away from the public eye to pursue his lifelong passion for photography. Unlike other actors who remained in Hollywood, Ewing chose a path of relative privacy, dedicating himself to his art.

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Recent Details: While he rarely gives interviews or makes public appearances, his work as a photographer is documented, with archives and catalogs noting his contributions. This quiet, artistic life is a stark contrast to the dramatic, high-stakes environment of Dodge City, offering fans a unique "Then and Now" story of a former Western star embracing a different kind of creative endeavor.

Beyond the Main Cast: The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority

The impact of Gunsmoke extends far beyond its main players, touching on numerous entities and elements that defined the Western genre and television history. The show's longevity allowed it to explore complex themes and introduce a deep bench of supporting characters and guest stars.

• The Radio Series Connection: Before James Arness and the CBS television show, Gunsmoke was a successful radio program from 1952 to 1961, with William Conrad voicing Matt Dillon. This rich history provided a strong foundation for the TV adaptation.
• The Forgotten Spin-Off: Few fans remember that Gunsmoke had a short-lived spin-off series in 1974 titled Dirty Sally. The show followed the adventures of a recurring character, the elderly, eccentric junk collector Sally Fergus, and her partner, Cyrus Pike. It was a unique, albeit unsuccessful, attempt to expand the Gunsmoke universe.
• The Guest Star Hall of Fame: The show’s 20-year run meant it hosted virtually every rising star of the era. Future legends like Harrison Ford, William Shatner, Jon Voight, and Bette Davis all made appearances in Dodge City, contributing to the show's incredible topical authority and cultural significance.
• The Longest-Running Primetime Drama: For decades, Gunsmoke held the record for the longest-running primetime scripted series, a title it lost only recently to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Its 635 episodes remain a monumental achievement in television production.

The stories of Matt Dillon, Miss Kitty, and Doc Adams continue to resonate with new generations through reruns and streaming services. The fact that surviving members like Buck Taylor are actively engaging with the Western community in 2025 ensures that the spirit of Gunsmoke—a show about law, order, and the human condition on the American frontier—remains a vibrant part of cultural history.