Ken Curtis was a famous actor and singer who starred in many western movies and TV shows, most notably as Festus Haggen in Gunsmoke. He was also a member of the Sons of the Pioneers, a popular singing group that performed cowboy songs. But how did Ken Curtis die? And what was his life like before and after his fame? In this article, we will explore the cause of death of Ken Curtis and some interesting facts about his career and personal life.
Early Life and Career
Ken Curtis was born Curtis Wain Gates on July 2, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado. He grew up in a musical family and learned to play several instruments, including the saxophone, clarinet, and guitar. He also sang in the church choir and local radio shows. He attended Colorado College, where he studied medicine, but dropped out to pursue a career in music.
He moved to Hollywood in the late 1930s and joined the Tommy Dorsey band as a vocalist. He also met and married Dorsey’s singer, Jo Stafford, in 1939. They divorced in 1943. He then joined the Shep Fields band and later formed his own group, the Novelty Aces. He also started acting in small roles in movies such as Rio Grande (1950), The Quiet Man (1952), and The Searchers (1956), all directed by John Ford.
Gunsmoke and Fame
Ken Curtis’s breakthrough role came in 1959, when he was cast as Festus Haggen, a scruffy but loyal deputy marshal in the long-running TV series Gunsmoke. He replaced Dennis Weaver, who played Chester Goode, as Matt Dillon’s sidekick. He appeared in 304 episodes of Gunsmoke from 1959 to 1975 and became one of the most popular characters on the show.
He also continued to act in other western movies and TV shows, such as Have Gun – Will Travel, Wagon Train, Rawhide, The Alamo (1960), How the West Was Won (1962), Cheyenne Autumn (1964), and The Yellow Rose (1983). He also reprised his role as Festus Haggen in the TV movies Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) and Gunsmoke: The Last Apache (1990).
Personal Life and Death
Ken Curtis was married three times in his life. His first wife was Jo Stafford, whom he divorced in 1943. His second wife was Barbara Ford, the daughter of John Ford, whom he married in 1952 and divorced in 1964. His third wife was Torrie Connelly, whom he married in 1966 and remained with until his death.
Ken Curtis died on April 28, 1991, at the age of 74. The cause of death was a heart attack that he suffered while attending a dinner party at his friend’s house in Fresno, California. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered over Colorado.
Legacy and Influence
Ken Curtis is remembered as one of the most beloved actors of the western genre. His portrayal of Festus Haggen made him a household name and a cultural icon. He was also a talented singer who recorded several albums and performed with some of the best musicians of his time. He was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 1981.
He influenced many other actors and singers who admired his style and charisma. Some of them include Clint Eastwood, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Garth Brooks, Dwight Yoakam, and Brad Paisley. He also inspired many fans who enjoyed his humor and warmth on screen and off screen.
Ken Curtis cause of death is not a mystery, but a sad fact that marked the end of an era. He left behind a legacy of entertainment and joy that will live on for generations to come.
