Fans Mourn as ‘Gunsmoke’ Star Passes Away at 83

For millions of Americans, Gunsmoke wasn’t just a TV show—it was a Saturday night ritual. Now, fans are saying goodbye to one of the actors whose quiet charm helped bring Dodge City to life.

Roger Ewing, the tall, soft-spoken actor who played deputy marshal Thad Greenwood in the 1960s, has passed away at 83. His family confirmed he died on December 18 at his home in Morro Bay, California, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ewing first appeared on Gunsmoke in February 1965 as a guest character, but it was his role as Thad Greenwood—introduced just months later in Season 11—that cemented his place in fans’ hearts. At just 23, the 6-foot-4 actor became a familiar, reassuring presence on the long-running CBS Western, quietly filling gaps and supporting the ensemble cast with a natural ease.

Thad Greenwood, the son of an elderly Oklahoma sheriff, arrives in Dodge City seeking justice for his father’s death. Though his mission concludes quickly, Marshal Matt Dillon—James Arness—invites Thad to stay as a deputy. Ewing often reflected on how the cast became a surrogate family on set, with Thad fitting seamlessly into life alongside Dillon, Kitty, Doc, and Festus.

Through September 1967, Ewing appeared in 50 episodes. As ratings improved, his role gradually diminished and he was eventually replaced by Buck Taylor’s Newly O’Brien. Yet for fans, Thad Greenwood remained the dependable deputy everyone could count on.