Ken Curtis

Ken Curtis (July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991) was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running CBS western television series Gunsmoke. Although he appeared on Gunsmoke earlier, in other roles, he was first cast in his iconic role in season 8 episode 13, "Us Haggens". His next appearance was with his mule, Ruth, in "Prairie Wolfer" in season 9 episode 16, which also featured Noah Beery Jr., as a villain. 2Biography 3Early years Though born Curtis Wain Gates in Lamar in Prowers County in southeastern Colorado, he lived his first ten years on a ranch on Muddy Creek in eastern Bent County. In 1926, the family moved Las Animas, the county seat of Bent County, so that his father, Dan Sullivan Gates, could run for sheriff. The campaign was successful, and Gates served from 1927 to 1931 as Bent County sheriff. The family lived below the jail, since the jail was the whole second floor and his mother, Nellie Sneed Gates, cooked for the prisoners. The jail is located for historical preservation purposes on the grounds of the Bent County Courthouse in Las Animas. Curtis was the quarterback of his Bent County High School football team and played clarinet in the school band. He graduated in 193