Gunsmokewas one of the longest-running TV shows in history, but only two cast members appeared in every season. Starting life as a popular radio drama before making the transition to television,Gunsmokefollowed the exploits of Marshal Dillon as he oversaw law and order in Dodge City, Kansas.Despite rumors to the contrary,John Wayne was never offeredGunsmoke’sMarshal Dillonrole, though he suggested James Arness for the role and even recorded an introduction for the very first episode.
Gunsmokewas noted for being darker and grittier than the average Western show when it debuted on CBS in 1955, though of course, it would seem quaint to modern standards. The series ran from 1955 to 1975 and saw a range of future Hollywood stars passing through as guest stars, including Charles Bronson, Harrison Ford and Jodie Foster.Burt Reynolds had an extended run onGunsmokeas Dillon’s sidekick Quinttoo. Of course, many actors exited the classic drama across its 20-year run too.
Only James Arness & Milburn Stone Appear In All 20 Seasons Of Gunsmoke
James Arness' Gunsmoke record may never be beaten
Not only didGunsmokerun for two decades, it also amassed 635 episodes during that time. The only actor to appear in every episode was James Arness himself, which is one of the longest runs any actor has had playing a single role. Not only that, but Arness returned as Dillon for a series of TV movies, beginning with 1987’sReturn to Dodge.When Arness retired from the role following 1994’sOne Man’s Justice, he had played the Marshal for close to 40 yearson television.
Kelsey Grammer has had a similar run as James Arness by playing Frasier Crane acrossCheers,Frasierand the latter’s 2023 revival for 40 years; even across all those shows, Grammer is still over 200 episodes and five TV movies shy of Arness' record.
The only twoGunsmokeplayers to appear in each season are James Arness and Milburn Stone, who played Doc in the Western.Stone slacked a little compared to his co-star, missing about 30Gunsmokeepisodesover the years. Even so, both actors achieved an incredible feat by sticking with the seriesfor so long.
1987
1990
1992
1993
Gunsmoke: One Man’s Justice
1994
The other keyGunsmokeplayer was Amanda Blake as Kitty Russell, the owner of the local saloon. Blake was on the CBS drama or 19 years in total but admitted toThe Chicago Tribunein 1985 that she had grown tired of the commute from her home in Phoenix and down to Hollywood, so she decided to call time on Kitty in 1974. That said,Blake later returned as Kitty forGunsmoke: Return to Dodgefor what proved to be her final timeplaying the role.
The Longest-Running Western Of All Time Didn’t Get The Series Finale I Believe It Deserved
Gunsmoke ran for 20 years on CBS before being abruptly canceled. This was disrespectful to the cast, crew, and loyal audience of the classic Western.
Sadly, Milburn Stone passed on in 1980, meaning the three co-stars didn’t get to reunite one last time for Return to Dodge. Arness himself was always angry thatGunsmokedidn’t receive a proper finale after it was canceled in 1975 and felt the TV movies were a good way to wrap up the franchise properly.
Gunsmoke
Cast
Set in the American West, Gunsmoke follows Marshal Matt Dillon as he maintains law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. This Western drama explores the challenges of frontier justice and the complex relationships between settlers, outlaws, and Native Americans during the settlement period.
