Gunsmoke
Summary
Gunsmokewas a popular westerly drama series that ran from the mid-’50s to the mid-’70s and boast appearances by some of Hollywood ’s most notable figures . Gunsmokewas canceled suddenlyafter having aired for 20 long time . Today , the serial is among the longest - run , primetime , alive - action television serial and has been referenced in various phase of medium in late years .
Gunsmokefollowed Marshal Matt Dillon ( James Arness ) in the town of Dodge City , Kansas . Arness ' performance made Matt Dillon a breakout function and in full launched Arness into celebrity . Some of the actors who guest starred inGunsmokewould have an experience similar to that of Arness ' , asthey would only continue to achieve greater success in their careers . As for actors who were already established at the time , making an appearance on the highly viewed and acclaimed serial seemed like an obvious career choice .
Gunsmoke was one of the longest - running shows of all time , and these are the just episodes of each of the first 10 time of year .
15Kurt Russell
Appeared in “A Trail Of Blood Shed” & “Blue Heaven”
Before his Edgar Albert Guest visual aspect onGunsmoke , Kurt Russell had experience playing a westerly role , as heplayed the titular character inThe Travels of Jaimie McPheetersfrom 1963 to 1964 . The latter year is also when he made his first appearance inGunsmoke , with his second Edgar Albert Guest role taking place a tenner by and by . Since his time onGunsmoke , Russell has only continued to see achiever in his career , becoming recognise for more roles outside the Western genre . However , in 2021 , he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers by the Western Heritage Awards .
14William Shatner
Guest starred as Fred Bateman in 1966
William Shatner made a guest appearance in season 12 ofGunsmokeas the runaway killer Fred Bateman . Though he had appeared in legion film and television roles beforeGunsmoke , it was n’t until that same year that he ’d star in hismost illustrious function to date , James T. Kirk in theStar Trekfranchise . Shatner first portrayed James in theStar Trektelevision series , but the franchise gained a declamatory and dedicated fan base that led toStar Trekfilms , commence in 1979 . His position within the sci - fi franchise earned him a Life Career Award at the eighties Saturn Awards .
13Chuck Connors
Appeared in “The Preacher”
doer and athlete , Chuck Connors , made a Edgar Guest appearing inGunsmokeas Sam Keeler , a bold and convinced man who comes into town quick for a competitiveness that is quick broken up by Matt Dillon . Before his acting career , Connors was an athlete andone of very few who played in both the NBA and MLB . However , he chose to make a career out of acting , starting as a graphic symbol actor and appearing in supporting roles throughout legion projects . It was n’t until 1958 that he ’d get his most recognisable theatrical role , Lucas McCain in the pop series , The Rifleman .
western became a pop writing style in the twentieth century . Many quondam horse opera have become classics and some newer ones are joining them .
12Lee Majors
Appeared in “Song for Dying”
Lee Majors ' breakout role came rapidly after his appearance inGunsmoke . He starred in the series as Dave Lukens , a man who seek retaliation against a doctor he believe neglect to help his wife during childbirth . Shortly after his sentence onGunsmoke , Majors was enter the role of Heath Barkley in another Western serial , The Big Valley . Taking part in two massively successful series during the time of their release lead to one chance after the other . This year , Majors will appear inThe Fall Guy , a motion picture base on the action series from the ' 80s that John Major look .
11David Carradine
Appeared in “Lavery”
10Beau Bridges
Appeared in “My Father’s Guitar”
Beau Bridges started his vocation with uncredited and minor roles in motion picture and television and this includedGunsmoke , in which he guest starred as a guitarist , Jason , who values the guitar of his previous Church Father over all else , eventually head to a murder . Throughout his vocation , he has continued to see winner and evenstarred alongside his brother , Jeff Bridges , in the 1989 film , The Fabulous Baker Boys . He ’s been make numerous time for his supporting role , especially in miniseries and television films , with the latter earning him three Emmy Awards .
9Harrison Ford
Appeared in “The Sodbusters” & “Whelan’s Men”
Harrison Ford is known for his iconic part , so it ’s no surprise Ford made a guest appearance on a series with a corresponding impact on pop culture . However , it was before he became a well - known doer . His coming into court in two episode ofGunsmoke ’s eighteenth season was around the metre he was acting in uncredited role . It was onlyafter a few more uncredited and modest function that Ford would have his breakout rolesin theStar WarsandIndiana Jonesfranchises . Since then , he ’s been recognized as an acclaimed actor and receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2003 .
8Ron Howard
Appeared in “Charlie Noon”
Before he was known as a director , Ron Howard had a few notable acting credits , such asThe Andy Griffith ShowandHappy Days . It was around this metre that he also made a invitee appearance as Jamie inGunsmoke . A few years afterwards , in 1973,he would act alongside fellowGunsmokeguest actor , Harrison Ford and Richard Dreyfuss , inAmericanGraffiti . Howard eventually chose to pursue directing , depart with a few small - budget and abortive film , making his way to celebrated pic such asApollo 13andHow the Grinch steal Christmas .
7Jodie Foster
Appeared in “The Roots of Fear, “P.S. Murry Christmas,” & “The Predators”
A young Jodie Foster made three node appearances onGunsmokebefore becoming the esteemed actress she is today . Similar to the careers of other actors in Hollywood , Foster start working as a fry , seeing success and impressive vocation opportunity early on , including a role in Martin Scorsese’sTaxi Driver . She stay to star in influential films , easy get her direction to more prominent roles , including Clarice Starling inThe quiet of the Lambs , whichearned her an Academy Award . Foster is still receiving kudos for her performances , with a recent nominating address for her supporting theatrical role in the filmNyad .
Jodie Foster ’s telling calling has seen her go from child actor to Academy Award success , marked by a series of captivating public presentation .
6Sam Elliott
Appeared in “The Wedding”
InGunsmoke , Sam Elliott starred as Cory , a Isle of Man who is congeal to marry a woman whose father does not approve of the marriage . Elliott appeared inGunsmokeat the beginning of his career and would eventually go on to asterisk in a smorgasbord of projects , chiefly as a support doer , including the westerly film , Tombstone , in which he portrayed Virgil Earp . Though Elliott give excellent performances in a mountain chain of genres , he had n’t been give many honor . It was n’t until his supporting office in the 2018 film , A Star Is give birth , that Elliott was nominate for an Academy Award .
Custom image created by Aryanna Alvarado
