Ken (Festus) Curtis

[IwontConform]

i always got a chuckle out of ken curtis`s portrayal of festus.I just heard another festus original the other night on gunsmoke.Some troublemaker(always)was in town and called festus "feisty",ole festus says "i`m feisty enough to climb mat frame a yores an bust out ever rung on the way down" lol

[tarnsand]

Ken Curtis was married to famous director John Ford's daughter. Ken was a very under-rated actor/singer/songwriter who was incredibly handsome in younger years. He played many dramatic roles as well as comedy/dramas with actors/friends such as John Wayne, Ward Bond,Maureen O'Hara. He was priceless as Festus; a role which can never be duplicated. We treasure you Ken Curtis:)

[available1731]

Ken Curtis (Festus) was not only a good actor,but a very good singer. (Joe G.)

[BrooklynboyinSC]

I cannot believe they never had Ken Curtis sing on Gunsmoke. What a talented singer he was!

[formeyousee]

Wut in tarnations is this here mess? This'in ain't no Festus! Wut ta hickory hickens this world a comin' to?

[Lrdvltr]

Festus and Chester were the best.

[NicooJuan]

HOLA SOS NUESTRO IDOLO .SERGIO DE ARGENTINA BUENOS AIRES

[mjp2501]

When you listen to Ken Curtis on Gunsmoke doing his Festus Hagen character, you would think it impossible for him to have a beautiful singing voice. But he was a quality singer long before he was "Festus". I love Ken's rendition of Tumbling Tumbleweeds. God rest his soul for all of eternity.

Ken Curtis 1916-1991

[Trapar137]

Good one! What a talented man. 

[steinderbush]

I am from the Netherlands, and i love gunsmoke . Festus played also in the searchers with john wayne , witch i am a big fan of!!

I love those westerns because these Guys Like John Wayne and James Arness gave you something for the road!! and that is dignity, honesty, moral etc.

Oh.. how i long for those Americans these days!!!

[RogerHWerner]

BTW Ken Curtis was part of John Ford's 'Stock Company.' He was in Rio Grande, The Quiet Man, Mr. Roberts, The Wings of Eagles, The Horse Soldiers, The Alamo, and Cheyenne Autumn...all Ford productions plus many other films. He's best known for Gunsmoke but really he was in life completely unlike Festus.

[MotorSickler]

I sure liked him.My sisters snuck out to the Northern Hotel when he and Doc were here for the fair in the 60's.They got autographed 8x10's and a whooping.thanx for putting this up!!!

[damiangt]

old skamp

[telsport]

Amazing

Tom Loughlin Jr Utica NY

[dreamboatman]

lovely voice, and played the part so well.

[gussedup]

such a talented man! the face of festus does not match the voice.of ken curtis! lol loved gunsmoke stars!!!

[gussedup]

i loved his movies when i was a kid,he has a wonderful voice in all the vids i have saw!!!!!!!!!

[mjp2501]

It's amazing that Ken Curtis is supposed to be 70 years old when he sang this.

He sang with Tommy Dorsy in the thirties and sang with the Sons of the Pioneers in the forties. Considering the voice Ken used when he played Festus, makes his singing voice even more remarkable. God Rest Ken!

[lumputhree]

He was a great!

[Bobbi886]

to curleyb3, you have a few post with Ken Curtis in them, and I just want to say, THANK YOU, thank you, thank you. Love them and him. Bobbi

[Hetake07]

Ken was the greatest thing that ever happened to Gunsmoke. If I make it to heaven I want to get with him so we can sing a song or two.

[melollylolly]

ken curtis-a wonderfully talented actor-festus was just a character on gunsmoke-i am sure ken curtis wasn't ungroomed in real life. I am sure he was very clean in real life

[EmpressOfWyoming58]

We'd beg my prim, southern lady gramma to watch Gunsmoke. She'd say, "Noooo." We'd ask why. She'd reply, "I don't like that dirty old, nasty old Festus." She meant his grooming. Lol.

[BH206L3]

Well Ken was one of my favorites and he is in The greatest western ever made to boot. The Searchers.

[claysjavelin1]

Great

[cbednar74]

Thanks for posting this! Ken "Festus" Curtis had an Amazingly Unbelievable Voice!!!! May He RIP!!!!!!

[thebrood40]

I did'nt know he sang,but i love the person Festus..!!!

[metalonroad]

When he died ???

[flxible52]

Ken Curtis (2 July 1916 28 April 1991) was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running CBS western drama, Gunsmoke.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

We will always love and remember Ken Curtis.

He was a beautiful person and a wonderful talent.

Good night Festus!

See you in Heaven!!

George Vreeland Hill

[piadinaconmortadella]

everybody loves festus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bosselbi]

Germany loves Festus !!!

[CadillacL]

Hard to believe this beautiful voice came out of Ken "Festus" Curtis. Shows just how much talent he had. I'd love to find more clips of "Festus" & "Doc" The scenes they had together were the funniest ever.

[OtisJackSeals]

Thanks Curley for posting. Great to hear him sing so well. He died far too young. He still had the music in him.

[123laconga]

Thank God for Universal Salvation. Ken, I'll see you in God's Kingdom! It's time for prayer, to thank God for His love for ALL of mankind.

[mrhugefan]

Ken Curtis had a beautiful voice and Ken Curtis did one hell of a fine acting job as the worlds beloved "Festus" ...Loved him & Ol' Doc together. Howdy up there my good partner Ken.

[curleyb3]

Thanks for your comment.  Yes I saw a video of him singing on YouTube. If I can copy it I will send it to you. If you type his name on Youtube, you may see find it.

[Osmondheaven]

Amazing! I never knew he had such a wonderful voice. Are there any videos of him singing?

[grace230608]

@Osmondheaven yes, Ken Curtis singing tumbling tumbleweed in Germany. ITS WONDERFUL

[billybeth3]

This is very sweet.  I also saw Ken sing at our state fair as a teen. His mule, Ruth, was there also. I got to shake his hand and speak with him briefly. Beautiful voice and wonderful character actor! Thanks for posting.

[oldcountrytunes]

One of the best kept secrets--that Festus could sing!!! *****. Thanks for the memories as ole Bob would say.

[atakankorkmaz2004]

19/F - ne guyz wanna chat? im bored and horny!

holla at yo koala Q9

[pineappleschool7]

WHAT A LOVELY, LOVELY VOICE!!!!

[billhardin]

Thank you for posting this. Ken Curtis/Festus, was special on Gunsmoke.

notice everyone addressed Dillon as Mat or Marshal.

Only Festus called him Mathew. that speaks of family or brotherly love!

I was a kid when these shows were on. I'd hike down my jeans low, put on my toy six-shooter, and me and Marshall Dillon would get the bad guys every time!

Festus was "Family" to me, even tho I never knew him.

[Luosechi]

Myy Goood! Never realized that he could sing or with the Sons of Pioneers. Used to watch Gunsmoke religiously. Now get to watch only garbage I can't even understand (Right... now I live in the Philippines).

[afsheenmayahi]

Very impressed ,what can I say thank you..

[STOPNORTHERNHATRID]

Ya'll know somethin', before I say this I never thought ole Festus had the voice to sing. I guess looks can be decieving cause I didnt even know he was in The Sons Of Pioneers, thanks for postin' I guess we learn things every day. I actually have a movie were the Sons Of Pioneers stared with Gene Autry and Roy Rogers. Most folks think its wier that me being a fourteenyea old even knows who Gene and Roy are. Much less Ken Curtis or Hank Williams. Anyways thanks for postin this

[jmagill63]

Think thats surprissing you should Hear Jim Nabors ( GOMER PYLE ) Sing

[Phillip72471]

this just aint right dont you see that just meeses up my image of festus NOOOOOOOOOO I cant listen

[curleyb3]

Thank you Phillip for your Comment. I know what you mean. He has a beautiful voice.

[moxy1916]

was Ken Curtis in the Searchers. I might be wrong but im sure it was him

[curleyb3]

Yes Ken Curtis was in the searchers.

[cindyshealed]

I saw Ken Curtis perform his joking routine and sing at a couple of State Fair Rodeos as a kid...would've been the early to mid 1970s. Then, was thrilled to see him again in the short lived "The Yellow Rose" in the early 80s.

[curleyb3]

Thank you for your comment on Ken Curtis. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but had the pleasure of meeting the Original Sons of The Pioneers. I would accept any photos you may have of Ken for more Videos.

[oldus70time]

Festus lives forever and Ken Curtis never got his due as an actor and a singer, and that is a real shame! He will always be my hero as one of the best western actors and singers!!

[curleyb3]

Thank you for your comment. Your right.

Curley

[ScorpioMensan]

Ken Curtis got me interested in skydiving, when he was on the 1961 TV series, "RIPCORD"

[Labaron26]

Remember Ken Curtis had a nice role in "The Alamo" movie with John Wayne.

[mdbpowerwash]

you left one name out'' ruth the mule

[curleyb3]

Thanks for letting me know. I didn't know the name of the Mule.

Curley

[ernlay]

I had a mutt dog I named after his mule.

[Ikesano]

This clip alone, is a fine tribute to Ken Curtis. Enjoyed your ending - in "Seventh Heaven".  Thank you for sharing this video.

[blueBlackpurple]

I didn't know that Ken Curtis was a singer.

Great voice.

[dharstin]

I'd love to hear more recordings of Curtis. Post more.