"Gunsmoke" - Name the Actor Trivia Quiz

Answer: John Wayne

The Duke was reportedly offered the role of Matt Dillon but turned it down. He did think enough of the show to agree to do the introduction and recommend his good friend James Arness for the part.

Answer: William Conrad

William Conrad was not seriously considered for the television version of "Gunsmoke" because he was overweight. He did direct two episodes of the TV series. Conrad went on to direct and produce numerous series episodes and films over the years. He starred in the CBS series "Cannon" from 1971 - 1976 and "Jake and the Fatman" from 1987 - 1992. William Conrad passed away on February 11, 1994.

Answer: Burt Reynolds

Reynolds has appeared in over 90 feature films including "Boogie Nights", "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The Longest Yard". He also starred in "Evening Shade" where he won an Emmy in 1991.

Answer: Amanda Blake

Amanda Blake worked as a telephone operator before becoming an actress. After leaving the show "Gunsmoke" she went into semi-retirement appearing in just a few projects. She was a staunch animal rights activist and in 1987 the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge was opened in Herald, California at Rancho Seco Park. "Miss Kitty" passed away on August 16, 1989.

Answer: Ken Curtis

Curtis is best remembered as the scruffy Festus Haggen from his years on "Gunsmoke", but he was also in several movies. He was married to Barbara Ford, the daughter of the iconic director John Ford. He worked with Ford and John Wayne in numerous films including "Rio Grande", "The Quiet Man", "The Searchers" and "The Horse Soldiers". Ken was also a very good singer performing with Sons of the Pioneers and Tommy Dorsey in the 1940's and 50's. Ken Curtis died on April 28, 1991.

Answer: Glenn Strange

Glenn Strange appeared in numerous B western movies during the 30's, 40's and 50's, usually as the villain. He was also the Frankenstein monster in three films during the 1940's. Strange passed away on September 20, 1973.

Answer: Milburn Stone

Stone played the crusty Doc Adams for the entire 20-year run of the show. He was in over 150 movies during his career and was on Broadway in the 1920's. Milburn Stone died on June 12, 1980.

Answer: Buck Taylor

Buck Taylor appeared in 113 episodes from 1967-1975. His father, character actor Dub Taylor, showed up in seven of those shows. Buck is also an accomplished watercolor artist.

Answer: Dennis Weaver

Dennis Weaver went on to star in "McCloud" from 1970-1977. He is also remembered for his role in the television movie "Duel" which was directed by Steven Spielberg. Weaver died in Colorado on February 24, 2006.

Answer: James Arness

The 6' 7" star was Matt Dillon for 20 years on the series and then there were five made for TV movies over the years. Arness was a WW2 Army veteran and was wounded in Italy, due to those wounds he always walked with a slight limp. He went on to star as Zebulon "Zeb" Macahan in the miniseries and series "How the West Was Won" from 1977 - 1979.