how did sam the bartender die on gunsmoke?

He began his film career with minor appearances in The Way West (1967) and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Season 5 of Mission: Impossible and guest-starred on television in the Western Gunsmoke (1972) and the television films Murder in Texas (1981) and The Shadow Riders (1982). Sam McKay played the bartender in the 1960s, a role he held for six years. It's destroyed marriages and torn apart careers and caused hypertension and acid reflux in officers of the law. Strange worked as a cowboy, fought as a profes sional heavyweight and toured with Hoot Gibson's Rodeo be fore entering films as a stunt man. Fans of CBS's The Big Bang Theory might not have been familiar with Carol Ann Susi's face, but they definitely knew her voice: She played Debbie Wolowitz, the unseen but oft-heard mother of Howard. The more nerd-inclined readers might know Stanley Kamel from his appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation. If youre wondering, theres more than one answer! So it was genuinely heartwarming when the fourth season premiere, "In Memoriam," took the emotional bull by the horns and addressed the passing of actor Luke Perry with some level of grace and reverence. When western movie demand grew scarce in the 1950s, Strange began acting in western television shows. As Sam's old baseball coach, he could have easily fallen into the role of father figure for the show's protagonist, but was written instead as an almost childlike character. With a surprising amount of pragmatism. She left the show following the death of her co-star Sam the bartender in season eight. A lone lawman and a chaotic frontier, a stern yet gentle lawman, and moral judgments all of these elements of the Western genre are central to the shows appeal. Strange and his cousin, Taylor After working on the project, Strange was hired to appear in other horror films including the monster in Spy and Blood in the 1950s. He learned to play guitar and fiddle. He was conniving. While Chester was not a character on Gunsmoke, Bates was awarded the Golden Globe for his role. LOS ANGELES. If you were a fan of the hit TV series GUNSMOKE, you may be curious to learn how did Sam the bartender die. In 1943, he played a badman in the Hopalong Cassidy movie False Colors. His first wife, Jenny Lee Arness, committed suicide in 1975. He was 74 years old when he died of cancer. Strange was married from 1937 to his death in 1973 to his second wife, Minnie Thompson (19112004). about Glenn Strange. To make up for the lost role, an actor . In addition to starring in many popular television series, Bates played many recurring roles including the bartender Sam Jones on Gunsmoke and as a cowboy on Dragnet. However, the Minneapolis-born Peter and James are not related to Nielsen. One more interesting bit of trivia about Strange. He continued to appear in westerns, playing a villainous Sam Noonan. Hathorn, Billy (2013). Blake, who portrayed the saloon owner in CBSs popular western TV series, left one season before the show ended. Mack had a hard time coping with the alcoholism he was feeling. One died during the run of the show, in 1973, at the age of 74Glenn Strange, a real New Mexico cowboy who played Sam the bartender. When the show returned from summer break, the entire premiere episode dealt with the fallout of his character's death in an automobile collision. With Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis, Buck Taylor. Known for his role as Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke, Glenn Strange passed away nearly 50 years ago. There, he played Finn Hudson, the star athlete who joined the glee club and did a whole heap of singing. Played Fred - Townsman in "Gunsmoke" in 1955. After weeks of the station teasing the public about the sitter's identity, Strange removed his mask and revealed himself as Frankenstein's monster (actually, yet another mask.) Among other TV roles, he capped off his career with a steady (12 years) role as Sam the bartender on the classic Gunsmoke (1955) series from 1962 until shortly before his death from lung cancer in 1973. google_ad_height = 600; Sam McKay played the bartender in the 1960s, a role he held for six years. Festus offers to give the man a ride, but he refuses, draws his gun, and shoots Festus. Although she was only 26 at the time, Blake had been part of a singing group that toured fairs and rodeos. For seven years and over 150 episodes, Edward Herrmann played Gilmore family patriarch Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. One of his first roles was uncredited as a soldier, in tin armor, as part of "Ming's Army", in the science fiction classic serial "Flash Gordon"(1936/I). It should be noted that Boris Karloff, who played the original Frankenstein, coached Strange on playing the role in his off-hours. Glenn was the perfect replacement for the job and made his monstrous debut with House of Frankenstein (1944), quickly followed by House of Dracula (1945). After Gunsmoke wrapped up, Dillon gifted Bates his signature .45 sidearm. google_color_text = "CCCCCC"; On the radio, William Conrad played the titular character, Marshall Matt Dillon. In 1952, he was cast in the role of Chief Black Cloud in the episode "Indian War Party" of the syndicated The Range Rider. See the article in its original context from. Mr. Did Glenn Strange ever play Frankenstein? How did Sam on Gunsmoke die? LOS ANGELES. //-->. Arness was born James Aurness in Minneapolis on May 26, 1923. Then, in 1973, he died of cancer at 74 years old. Gunsmoke never had a shot at doing a final farewell episode. Strange played the role of Sam Noonan from 1961 until shortly before his death in 1973. That same year, he played rancher Pat Cafferty, who faces the threat of anthrax, in the episode "Queen of the Cimarron" of the syndicated Western series, Frontier Doctor. Curtis hometown drunk, Festus, was named after him. In addition to his legendary role on the show, Noonan also played a monstrous role in The Lone Ranger. For six seasons, Spencer played Leo McGarry, chief of staff and later counselor to the president for the Bartlett administration. Instead, they rewrote the ending with McGarry dying on election night and Santos becoming president. Before playing Willie the drunk on Gunsmuke, Glenn Strange acted in several films and television shows. George Glenn Strange (August 16, 1899 September 20, 1973) was an American actor who mostly appeared in Western films and was billed as Glenn Strange. He played a variety of roles in the series, including a recurring character called Quint Asper. Mack was also in NBCs Gunsmoke radio version. If you grew up in the '70s, there's a decent argument to be made that the quality of your childhood was directly proportionate to your familiarity with Mister Hooper. Festus Haggen is riding his mule Ruth when he encounters a man on foot carrying a saddle. After the shows cancellation, Noonan continued to appear in other westerns, including Smith and Play It As It Lays.. Strange also played a monster in the Bowery Boys horror-comedy Master Minds in 1949, mimicking the brain-transplanted Huntz Hall's frantic comedy movements, with Hall providing his own dubbed voice. Even if you haven't been following the show for the last 55 years, if you watch Doctor Who, you've probably heard of the Brigadier. His obituary was mistakenly published in the New York Times, which caused a stir. He found success both in front of the camera, as shown by his six-year run on Crossing Jordan, and as a voice actor, playing everything from Aquaman in the '90s Superman cartoon to Death on Adventure Time. Fans of the show Monk, however, will undoubtedly remember Kamel as Adrian Monk's longtime therapist, Dr. Charles Kroger. Played Posse . He was forced to leave the role in 1973 due to ill health. On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. His widow, Nin, and a daugh ter, Janine, survive. The Associated Press reported that Blake, who had lived in Phoenix, learned of the cancellation only after the shows 19th season. Based on the book of the same name, the show focused on Ritter's character Paul Hennessy and his attempts to maintain control over his daughters' dating lives. This was, primarily, due to the fact that she had been living in Phoenix and was commuting to Los Angeles for filming. In the 1950s he played the outlaw Cavendish in the Lone Ranger TV series. What happened to Miss Kitty in season 20 of Gunsmoke? In 1958, they performed at the Albuquerque Arena during the New Mexico State Fair, breaking a house record. 21 (AP) Glenn Strange, who portrayed Dr. Frankenstein's monster in films and Sam Noonan, the big, leathery bartender in the tele vision series Gunsmoke for 11 years, died last night of cancer at a hospital here, He was 74 years old. His work on the show is credited to the enduring popularity of the show, and Bates recurring role in the series has become one of its most enduring TV characters. His massive 6-foot 5-inch stature led Universal to hire him to play monsters in Frankenstein movies. For the uninitiated, Mister Hooper was the proprietor of Hooper's Store, the preferred corner store and eatery of the denizens of Sesame Street. of Gunsmoke, he is seen to play the fiddle. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. John Ritter was a beloved television icon by the time he was 29 thanks to his role as Jack Tripper on the classic TV sitcom Three's Company. The show must go on. While Kroger was replaced by a new therapist, Hctor Elizondo's Dr. Neven Bell, his loss was felt deeply. The world was shocked by the sudden death of John Ritter in 2003. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. John Wayne first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1959 and played a variety of roles. When it returned, Hennessy's death was addressed, the program was retitled as just8 Simple Rules, and the paternal void left by Ritter was filled in by James Garner, who came on board as Ritter's father-in-law/grandfather to the teenagers. Mrs. Wolowitz was killed in her sleep during the episode "The Comic Book Store Regeneration," and several episodes were written around the character's death. Its popularity lasted well beyond the original run. A funeral was held, her urn was lost in airline luggage, and the gang had one more of her enormous meals thanks to a freezer full of leftovers. Over a career spanning decades, Hartman played dozens of roles: Troy McClure on The Simpsons, Ranger John "Vicky" Johnson in So I Married An Axe Murderer, Pee-wee's Playhouse's Captain Carl, and countless characters on SNL, to name just a few. He would show up in dozens of episodes, plotting to end the world with everything from nerve gas to killer inflatable chairs. [5], Strange was 6ft 5in tall and weighed 220lbs. He won many awards for his work on the series, including the Emmy Award for Best Actor. Buck Taylor, another of Stranges costars on Gunsmoke, named his son Cooper Glenn Taylor in honor of Strange. google_ad_channel =""; Despite his death on the set of Gunsmoke, Arness remained an icon of western film and television. They paid tribute to their lost colleague with a touching opening sequence shortly after her passing. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. They ended up in Hollywood. Bates was known for performing dangerous stunts as Marshal Matt Dillon. As a result of his success, producer Jack Pierce tapped Strange to play the monster in the 1944 Universal film House of Frankenstein. If you were a fan of the hit TV series GUNSMOKE, you may be curious to learn how did Sam the bartender die. Unfortunately, in 1973, the actor was shooting a picture in Turkey when he was involved in a car crash and passed away. Gunsmoke: Why Did Amanda Blake Leave the Show After 19 Seasons? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Altogether, he appeared in 237 episodes, including those in which he does not play Sam. His most memorable roles were those of a drunk bartender and Sam Noonan in the popular western series. To show his gratitude, he insisted his double got a pay raise every single year they worked together. But in February of 2019, the 52-year-old performer suffered a massive stroke, passing away a few days later on March 4th. The episode, The Sharecroppers, aired in 1975 and revolved around Deputy Festus Haggen, who accidentally shoots a man in the leg and then helps out at the mans family farm. He died of lung cancer at age 74, which left his widow Amanda Blake to carry on. The producers considered writing Hooper out, sending the character off to Florida to retire. After Gunsmoke ended in 1975, Stone made his directorial debut as Doc Adams, the shows main character. Beginning his career in the 1930s, he both sang and played as extras in B western movies. Lee Thompson Young did a lot with the short amount of time that he had. They had two daughters, Wynema and Juanita. [2], Strange appeared twice as Jim Wade on Bill Williams's syndicated Western series geared to juvenile audiences The Adventures of Kit Carson. And then, one day, he'll die. He appeared in 604 episodes and scuffled with other co-stars in a friendly manner. He died of aortic dissection, a rare condition in which blood forces the layers of the aorta apart. Actor Buck Taylor, best known as the gunsmith turned deputy Newly OBrien on Gunsmoke, is 81 years old at the moment and looks as handsome as ever! Doc Adams didnt leave Gunsmoke by choice despite the stereotypes that actors leave shows over drama behind the scenes. The Real Reason Chester Was Written Off Gunsmoke. As death sequences go, it was pretty funny, and a cool form of tribute to an old Catskills comedian. Strange learned by ear how to play the fiddle and guitar. Prior to landing the bartender role, the actor had portrayed various characters on "Gunsmoke" before then. Strange recounted a personal anecdote in Ted Newsom's documentary, 100 Years of Horror (1996). In later years, his limp made him unable to take part in a long day of filming. Strange died on Sept. 23, 1973, from lung cancer at 74 years old. The character of Sam on Gunsmoke had many facets, and Burt Reynolds was a versatile actor. How was Kitty written off Gunsmoke? James Arness, the towering actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon, the strong and commanding symbol of frontier justice on the landmark TV western series Gunsmoke, died Friday. When he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1957, he'd been playing Gramps on TV's Lassie for over 100 episodes. Glenn quit school after 8th grade. His absence on the show led the creators to make sure that all three characters were written out. But one day, we will know the answer to this riddle that continues to perplex the forces of justice: Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Strange was Butch Cavendish, the outlaw that bushwhacks the Texas Strange died on Sept. 23, 1973, from lung cancer at 74 years old. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. He was 55. He died of lung cancer, and Sam Noonan was buried at the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery. He played the nemesis "Butch Cavendish" and later reprised the role, after a prison escape, on "The Lone Ranger" (1949). Played Saloon Sweeper in "Gunsmoke" in 1955. His biographical information states that he was 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 220 pounds. google_color_border = "000000"; It was explained that Coach had died, but not a lot of details were given. Eventually in the late 30s, his billing improved and he evolved into a full-time bad guy in hundreds of "B" westerns. His death prompted many fans to mourn the loss of Noonan, who had portrayed Sam on the show. Permalink. It featured many outdoor scenes in Johnson Canyon near Kanab, Utah. Glenn Strange was born in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899. There was a time when the answer was generally "recast and keep going, we've got ad time to fill." Initially, his character was written out as having left the country to deal with unfinished business. Sam, the bartender 213 Episodes 1975. Curtis 'Cactus Mack' McPeters, joined the Arizona Wranglers - a These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In the scene in which the monster is discovered in a cave, Strange lay immersed for hours in "faked quicksand" (actually cold mud) waiting for the cameras to roll. What was Glenn Strange last Gunsmoke episode? According to executive producer Lawrence O'Donnell, the writers had planned for Santos and McGarry to lose the election, but felt that writing in the death of a beloved character and the loss of the White House was too much for the viewers to take. He wrote, James Arness: An Autobiography in 2001 when he was 78. James Nusser. Marcia Wallace had a remarkable career. Known for his role as Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke, Glenn Strange passed away nearly 50 years ago. What was Sam the bartender last episode on Gunsmoke? google_ad_client = "pub-9172031313930080"; The shows long-running run and wide popularity led CBS to continue its run on Monday nights. While this was probably Susi's most prolific role, she had a long, fascinating career as a television and movie actress, starting with a recurring role on Kolchak: The Night Stalker all the way back in 1974. James Arness played the heroic Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, serving as a paragon of law and order for the west. He even made his first appearance in a remake of the classic film The Rifleman. google_ad_width = 160; In one episode, The Fourth Victim, Bates played a bartender who helps Sam get away from the gunfighters. Mr. He was a patient, loyal, and often beleaguered boss and father figure to the younger staff members, as well as confidant and friend to the President. He was Sam the bartender at the Long Branch saloon on GUNSMOKE from 1962 until shortly before his death from lung cancer in 1973. During the wave of monster-related merchandising in the late 1950s and 1960s, Glenn Strange's iconic image often was used for the monster on toys, games, and paraphernalia, most often from his appearance in the Abbott and Costello film. Gunsmoke was the classic Western tale of a troubled town that needed someone to make sure that law and order was enforced. The couple had one child, Janine Laraine Strange (born 1939). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Oscar-nominated actor was also nominated for an Emmy in the same category. As a teenager, Burt Reynolds played the role of Sam the bartender on the hit show Gunsmoke. In the 1940s, he had success as an actor in the horror film The Mad Monster for Producers Releasing Corporation. until shortly before his death from lung cancer in 1973. He was Sam the bartender at the Long Branch saloon on GUNSMOKE from 1962 Sams last episode was The Hanging of Newly OBrien, which is a remake of the original novel by Thomas Hardy. In fact, his portrayal of the character became so iconic that, due to an editing error, his face was printed next to Boris Karloff's obituary in newspapers across the country. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Because of his role in this movie, John Wayne recommended James Arness for the role of Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke (1955), a role he played for 39 years. In January 2008, Christopher Allport died tragically in an avalanche while skiing in the San Gabriel mountains in California. She was serious, too. Spoiler alert: Everybody dies. 200 of them were B westerns. CBS/YouTube. The character of the Master would die and regenerate into a new body, another staple of the show. Strange was cast in five episodes of the ABC Western The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and three segments of the syndicated Annie Oakley. Glenn Strange was an actor born in the New Mexico Territory. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon, was also impressed with the young actor. By Christian Schoon / March 19, 2022 1:50 pm EST. After all, it's at its heart a show sensationalizing and gritting up a children's comic about milkshakes and old-timey Americana hijinks with sex, murder, and a deathly serious re-imagining of Josie and the Pussycats. After the show ended, Strange went on to pursue a career in photography, which he continued for many years. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. His death sparked debate and controversy, but he is remembered for being an extremely fast draw. He was 29. But Strange had actually been on the show since 1959. If you close your eyes and hold an ACME phone to your ear, legend has it that you can still hear her barking the word "gumshoes" at you from across the decades. Glenn would play extra or bit roles for a number of years B Western and serials. Not once. What are you going to do? The three went on to perform at the Albuquerque Arena during the New Mexico State Fair. Phil Hartman's tragic death was addressed by NewsRadio in a beautifully balanced manner. In 1950, he was cast in his first film, The Cowboy. He had been working as a radio announcer and had small parts in several movies. He acted as a sidekick and sang in a number of B movies before landing the role of the Frankenstein Monster in Universal films. This was due to the untimely death of Stanley Kamel, who had succumbed to a real heart attackin April 2008. He was a young rancher, but in 1930, he came to Hollywood as a member of the radio singing group Arizona Wranglers. Other notable cast members included Georgia Ellis, who played Kitty, and Parley Bear, who played Deputy Chester. Sent. By the time he was 12, he was performing at cowboy dances. He died of lung cancer in 1973. Click HERE for more stuff about Glenn Strange. Macks role was so popular, that his character was portrayed by an actor who had not yet made his Hollywood debut. google_color_url = "999999"; James Arnesss death was a tragedy for both the actor and the audience. If you were mentally cataloging a list of TV shows that might deal with the untimely loss of an actor with dignity and grace, you wouldn't necessarily putRiverdaleat the top. She was ready to give CBS President William Paley. And sometimes, when people die, those people are in the middle of filming a hit TV series. Offscreen, however, Young's life was a difficult one. He was Mack was undergoing abdominal surgery when the series began, and he died soon thereafter, while filming The Ugly American with Marlon Brando. Required fields are marked *. In the late 1920s, Glenn and his cousin, Taylor McPeters, better known later as the western character actor Cactus Mack, joined a radio singing group known as the "The Arizona Wranglers" that toured throughout the country.They both started providing singing fillers in film westerns in the early 1930s. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. His career spanned 12 years, starting with the B westerns. Strange died of cancer in 1973, but his influence on the cast of the series was still felt today. He is best remembered for playing Frankenstein's monster in three Universal films during the 1940s and for his role as Sam Noonan, the bartender on CBS's Gunsmoke television series. In the film, she is a former animal activist, who fought to raise awareness of the disease. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Author David R. Greenland, in his book The Gunsmoke Chronicles: A New History of Televisions Greatest Western, writes about her reaction to the cancellation. Stranges career began in western movies in the 1930s. Then, at the start of Season 7, both Monk and the show's viewers were shocked to learn Dr. Kroger had passed away from a heart attack. In his last few years, Sam Noonan passed away in Los Angeles, but he is best remembered for his role as Sam in Gunsmoke. The original series of Gunsmoke aired from September 1955 until the spring of 1975. google_ad_type = "text_image"; In the original radio series, William Conrad voiced the role of Marshal Matt Dillon. The shows star cast included actors like William Conrad, Howard McNear, and Milburn Stone. How many bartenders were there on Gunsmoke? He played the character from 1961 until his death in 1974. Richard's passing became a major plot point, especially in the sequel series' opening episode. He was given a final goodbye two seasons later, and his character's daughter, Kate, later became a recurring character. The regulars who are still with us are: Roger Ewing (Thad Greenwood), who is 73; Buck Taylor (Newly O'Brien), who is 77; and Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper), who is 79. Arness continued to appear in several movies and television series, and he acted in more than sixty TV episodes. In addition, Strange and his wife were friends who wrote songs together. During the shows run, Sam Noonans singing trio was accompanied by singer Dennis Weaver. Bates was known for performing dangerous stunts as Marshal Matt Dillon. Macks wife, Etta Sarah Jessee, had been a cowgirl. He played numerous small parts in Paramount's popular Hopalong Cassidy film series, usually cast as a member of an outlaw's gang and occasionally as a local sheriff. She played Carol the receptionist on 140 episodes of The Bob Newhart Show and appeared on dozens of game shows before taking on perhaps her most iconic role as Edna Krabappel on The Simpsons, a character that she would continue to play for over 20 years. Your email address will not be published. It can be a source of catharsis for the audience and the crew, and provide a much needed chance to say goodbye to those people the viewers never met, but felt compelled to invite into their homes every week. In 1958, he had a minor part in an episode of John Payne's The Restless Gun, and had an important role in the 1958 episode "Chain Gang" of the Western series 26 Men, true stories about the Arizona Rangers. At various times in his life a rancher, deputy sheriff and rodeo performer, this huge, towering (6 5) beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899, but grew up a real-life cowboy in Cross Cut, Texas. How Much Do Bartenders in Las Vegas Make? George Glenn Strange (August 16, 1899 September 20, 1973) was an American actor who mostly appeared in Western films. Within the show, it had already been revealed that his character was dying, potentially as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. Around 12, he taught himself the fiddle and guitar and began performing in his teenage years. Reynolds starred in the series for three seasons, and after leaving the show, went on to a successful career as an actor in movies. In 1961, he began the small, but regular, role as Sam Noonan the bartender in Miss Kittys Long Branch Saloon, Dodge City in the TV show, Gunsmoke. google_color_link = "FFFFFF"; Here, monsters and humans alike congregated, shared meals, and discussed in flagrant disregard of PBS's non-commercial policies which letters and numbers the show was being brought to you by. Played by British actor Nicholas Courtney, the character of Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart appeared in more than 100 episodes of the series, also showing up in its various spin-offs, radio dramas, and comic books. Outside of acting, she found success as a corporate speaker, discussing her struggle with breast cancer and the importance of laughter. He was also seen on nearly 100 other TV western episodes of Cisco Kid, Kit Carson, Gene Autry, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Jr., Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Rawhide, Hopalong Cassidy, Rifleman, Judge Roy Bean, Rin Tin Tin, Sky King, etc. Long Branch bartender Sam Noonan reveals a good bit about his young life while talking to a young man on probation for theft. Answer: The last episode of Gunsmoke was not designed to be a series finale. What follows is a list of characters who were killed off after the actors playing them passed away. cancer Frankenstein's monster in films and Sam Noonan, the big, leathery bartender in the tele vision series "Gunsmoke" for 11 years, died last night of cancer at a hospital here, He was 74 years old. Then Blake decided it was time to go. He played FESTUS HAGGIN, a sidekick of Marshal Matt Dillon. Glenn Strange was another actor who appeared in the show as Sam the bartender. His character was so well received, Clinton-era Chief of Staff Leon Panetta once told Spencer that "any government would be lucky with Leo as chief of staff.". SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the long-running Gunsmoke television series, died of AIDS-related complications, not cancer as previously reported, her doctor said Monday. Dennis Weaver, who played Chester, started his program and had to leave Gunsmoke. What you may not know about the late actor are some of the positions he had prior, and some may surprise you. Then, the next year, Edna's death was referenced in the Season 25 episode "The Man Who Grew Too Much.". Strange is interred at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. According to IMDb, The Hanging of Newly OBrien ended up being Stranges last episode in 1973. Monteith's life was both short and difficult. In 1969, The New York Times mistakenly published Boris Karloff's obituary with Glenn Strange's picture as the Frankenstein monster. Cory Monteith's brief but astonishing career as an actor saw him starring in movies and TV shows, with appearances on Stargate, Supernatural, and Smallville, among others, before really hitting it big on Glee. Sams last name was Noonan. Before turning to acting, Glenn Strange was a musician. Although Noonan died of cancer, his death will be mourned by the entire television community.