Gunsmoke was 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, Gunsmoke followed the exploits of Marshal Dillon as he oversaw law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. Despite rumors to the contrary, John Wayne was never offered Gunsmoke’s Marshal Dillon role, though he suggested James Arness for the role and even recorded an introduction for the very first episode.
Gunsmoke was 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 on Gunsmoke as Dillon’s sidekick Quint too. 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 did Gunsmoke run 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’s Return to Dodge. When Arness retired from the role following 1994’s One Man’s Justice, he had played the Marshal for close to 40 years on television.
The only two Gunsmoke players 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 30 Gunsmoke episodes over the years. Even so, both actors achieved an incredible feat by sticking with the series for so long.
Amanda Blake Left Gunsmoke Before The Final Season
Miss Kitty Russell left before Gunsmoke’s final ride
The other key Gunsmoke player 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 to The Chicago Tribune in 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 for Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge for what proved to be her final time playing the role.
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 that Gunsmoke didn’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.