Bette Rogge interviews "Gunsmoke" actors Ken Curtis and Buck Taylor.

[@mooseknuckle9657]

Knowing that Festus was a character and that there was an actor playing him, logic would tell you that Ken Curtis's actual speaking voice would be different than the Festus character voice. However , Curtis was so convincing at playing Festus that you actually thought they pulled him from the hills each and every week for filming and that they had to read his lines to him because he couldn't read. Very talented guy.

[@koryandrews1665]

Agreed. His character was so good, that to me, his Festus voice actually sounds like it matches the way he looks.

[@samhonodel1935]

hes funny

[@bloke2201]

One of the greats!

[@bobma6342]

Yeah I was very surprised that his real voice was totally different

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

Mr. Curtis was so good at playing Festus that no one would ever believe that it was an act unless they saw him singing or talking in his regular voice. (I bet his I.Q. was quite high)

[@TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

The great Ken Curtis is dearly missed

[@TheShizue777]

+TELEVISIONARCHIVES Very, very sorely! What a magnificent talent!

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

He sure is

[@timbranton1709]

Thay lady interviewing should have prepared more. How could she confuse Festus with Earnest T. Bass?

[@shirleybalinski4535]

She didn't. If you listen carefully, she equated the Festus character as a cross between Ernest T & a local character that frequented Ken's Dad's jail in Bend County, Colorado.

[@brass1951]

@@shirleybalinski4535 if you listen carefully yes she did confuse Festus with Earnest.

[@danielmesery2904]

It's like I've known them forever.... Good Actors...🐴

[@lpdog82]

Wow I have never heard Ken's real voice, amazing how an actor can become a totally different person!

[@ngomer1973]

I love this show and still watch it to this day. Like everyone, this is the first time I heard Ken Curtis’s real voice. James Arness is the only Marshal Dillion in the world. The whole cast Matt, Miss Kitty, Doc, Festus, Thad, Chester, Newly and Quint were the best cast I’ve seen in a long time.

[@TheShizue777]

Somewhere in these Ken Curtis posts is a comment by a musician who toured with Ken Curtis. He said that Ken was a true gentleman, very kind and very thoughtful. Most important he remembered Ken as someone who was very giving to his fans and signed every autograph and greeted hIs fans at those personal appearances warmly. I start most mornings listening to YT clips of Ken's singing and check out this Betty Rogge interview. Just such a pleasure to see the actor I remembered as Festus and knowing what a down-to-earth and warm soul he was. Great talent sorely missed.

[@jameshoran8]

Burt Reynolds said when Ken Curtis started playing Festus, Burt knew he better find something else.

[@a.c.wiggle2494]

What interview did Burt say that in?

[@catsoandahalf]

Festus is the BESTUS!

[@cboyslim5490]

i've never heard ken curtis speak as himself and not festus, oh my days haha what a great actor

[@smedleybutler5276]

He actually appeared in a few early episodes before he was cast as Festus. In those episodes he used his normal voice.

[@CadillacL]

This is the first time I've EVER Heard Ken Curtis in his real voice. Wow!

[@robertt7069]

Yes, me too... nice

[@kimcallahan9693]

Lane Crooks Watch the Alamo and Curtis will speak in his natural voice.

[@josettebyrd7459]

You must didn't know him when he played played Kyle Kelly on Gunsmoke. He didn't talk like Fetus. He could s8ng too Wow beautiful voice.

[@Shortypants1215]

To not hear that Festus twang is so odd, lol! RIP, sir and thank you for many wonderful memories.

[@JohnCee754]

You should hear him sing -- he was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers -- search KZbin for him singing "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and you'll see (or hear) what I mean -- beautiful voice

[@larryhawkins3294]

Ken Curtis played a murderous smooth talking lethario in a Gunsmoke episode called Lover Boy in a 1961 episode before he acquired the role of Festus. He used his regular speaking voice in that episode. Sherrie North co starred.

[@nancyglem]

Actually, he did play a trail hand also & a few other times not as Festus

[@brownsexylady40]

Ken Curtis was an excellent actor .....because he had so many of convinced that he was actually from the Hills and spoke with a twang. LOL....great actor indeed

[@noahlawson7949]

Those guys are legendary actors and James arness I thought was better than John Wayne...sorry just my opinion

[@2luvjmj]

Wonderful interview with 2 of my favorite character actors. I still watch Gunsmoke every day and love it.

[@cajunamerican2417]

I Miss Ken Curtis 😭

[@normanleach9587]

I look at his mug on my mug every morning. A nice way to start my day.

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

I have a Festus t shirt

[@brianwalker8147]

She was doing good until she confused him with Earnest T Bass

[@ImmaWright]

That was cringe worthy

[@scvandy3129]

Not even good; she was doing adequate, fair. Fans of "Gunsmoke" and followers of Ken Curtis's and Buck Taylor's careers and personal lives are starved for on camera interviews because they're rare to non-existent from half a century ago (i.e., 1969). A number of individuals posting have commented "what a wonderful interview this is." Uh, uh. It's a lame, poor excuse for a broadcast-worthy interview, but it's WONDERFUL, A THRILL, A DELIGHT to see and hear these beloved "Gunsmoke" vets off stage. This gaffe of mixing up two different characters AND two different series, one a one-hour, dramatic western the other a 30-minute, family situation comedy, reduces this Bette Rogge to a simile of the outrageous Jiminy Glick character, Martin Short's brilliant parody he entertained us with on Comedy Central, 2001 - 03. In the late '60s the requirements at Channel 7 for an employee or job applicant to be assigned this enviable, responsible position of interviewing well-known public figures are minimal to nil based on this 8-minute clip.

[@megganconway4345]

She also asked what Torrie thought about his skydiving in Ripcord. He wasn't married to Torrie at that time. He was still married to Barbara Ford. 😬

[@TheShizue777]

So great to hear about and from Buck Taylor, the son of the great character actor Dub Taylor. Buck was wonderful on Gunsmoke. Watch as many reruns as I can these days. Great cast.

[@MatthewMcClellan]

These two guys were so good. Glory days of TV.

[@josettebyrd7459]

Buck and the guy who plays Thad is the last two that's still living. I watch Gunsmoke all the time.

[@baskervillebee6097]

Costars with talented lives. Ken Curtis was a talented singer. Buck Taylor is a talented artist. He is the last cast member alive. Recently saw him on Yellowstone.

[@smedleybutler5276]

Close. Roger Ewing (Thad) is still alive.

[@michaelterry1000]

I used to watch Gunsmoke on Monday nights in the 70s and then I have watched it in reruns for the past 40 years. I saw an episode today and realized today that I had never heard Ken Curtis's real voice. I searched on youtube and found this. Weird, just weird to hear it.

[@precbsfender]

There's a early episode of Gunsmoke with Ken portraying a no good womanizer, with Sherri North.. brilliantly acted.

[@lhellmund]

I love this! We didn't get to hear Ken's natural speaking voice too often!

[@toddreeder8010]

I didn't know this was his natural voice.

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

.. best known for playing Festus, but a amazing singer.

[@wildwest1]

Golly Bill, I always loved Fetus.

[@needsaride15126]

Ken Curtis and his character Festus. One of the best ever.

[@xxXthekevXxx]

Wow I've never heard Ken's natural voice before. That is a sight haha.

[@brokenarrow6491]

It's strange hearing him as himself. He plays the character so well that you think that's how he really is. Loved his character on gunsmoke.

[@retrobethie4136]

Two of the most wonderful actors ever! This was back when famous people were classy!!!

[@AmericanSoldierSioux1969]

Thank you for posting and sharing this great video. Odd to see Ken Curtis portraying his "Festus" character and voice, then an instant "civilian" voice after, first time I heard how he "really" sounds as himself. A fine gentleman he was, good hearted, good natured, and from Clovis, Ca. where I used to live (the "Festus" Statue is still there at the credit union on Pollasky Ave.). And to know Buck Taylor was part of the Olympics before Gunsmoke. Always interesting watching these classic interviews.

[@kjellnoekker4026]

Very convincing actor- hard to believe he's not really Festus lol

[@johnshelton5470]

That was an awesome group of people on Gunsmoke I still watch it everyday

[@jaymather4966]

Buck Taylor is Still with us and doing well. Love His stories, We Both Have Bad shoulders But Maybe that was our Key to Success :) Ken Curtis was awesome and will be Missed

[@robertt7069]

nice, good interview. Down to earth people.

[@summerhillfarm9154]

Holy snap, his voice is so different! Mind blown!

[@johnnyllooddte3415]

love love love these folks

[@kissed61]

I think Ken felt limited by "Festus" . Maybe they should have expanded his role.

[@saprissa40]

Awsome actor wish i had seeing more of him

[@jeffreymclaughlin6143]

THIS WAS REALLY REALLY GREAT SEEING ACTOR KEN CURTIS AS FESTUS HAGEN ON GUNSMOKE COMPLETELY OUT OF CHARACTER IN THIS INTERVIEW HE SEEMS LIKE A VERY VERY NICE MAN IN REAL LIFE ALSO A GREAT GREAT SINGER HE SANG LEAD VOCALS WITH THE MUSICAL GROUP THE SONS OF THE PIONEER'S YEAR'S AGO.

[@joycegausmann5840]

I love this.

[@patriciajrs46]

His real voice. Wow! He did sing well.

[@Arbeedubya]

It sure is strange to hear Curtis's real voice.

[@billjenkins8855]

If Mathew & Miss Kitty got married, it would ruin a perfect Love Story "Don'tcha see"

[@khazak737]

D[[[)option change ugf you seen

[@lisaaugustin5400]

Matt had to up hold the law, kitty was a former saloon girl, and became a Madam, Matt had to marry a good girl to stay a law man,

[@lisaaugustin5400]

Matt and kitty couldn't even kiss !!!

[@lisaaugustin5400]

They kissed other people !!!

[@melvina628]

All it takes is a set of good writers who want to write that story. Easy it best, I guess.

[@rafael55]

He was the real star in Gunsmoke.

[@lanceglassgow3761]

Wow Hollywood used to have some conservative folks.

[@tmcge3325]

Son's of the Pioneers was with Roy Rogers, now how could she confuse Festus with Earnest T Bass, who I love greatly!

[@maryanneedge445]

Ken Curtis also sang with Sons of the Pioneers. He has a beautiful singing voice.

[@tmcge3325]

@@maryanneedge445 Yes! I like him in his early movies....when he was young. I believe he sang with Roy Rogers and Rogers grandson was my best friend growing up in the early 70's.

[@shirleybalinski4535]

My impression was she compared the Festus character as a cross between Ernest T & a local fellow, who frequented Ken's Dad's jail in Bend County, Colorado.

[@tmcge3325]

@@shirleybalinski4535 Well, the two do look alike and they have somewhat similar voices and they are about the same size. So, I guess I can understand but not very professional of her.....not knowing the people on the show.

[@mattdeighton9584]

Great Stuff ~ Great things from Gunsmoke ~

[@ianottaway]

Phantastique! Thank You

[@shizueleighhicks6174]

Does anyone know how to pronounce Bette's last name? She is delightful.

[@victorianlover3328]

You know for me, being a Christian, I just wish they all could have accepted Christ as their savior and we could see them all again. Miss Kitty was so beautiful, and never had children. And as most of you know, died from AIDS from her last husband. That ache of nostalgia we feel for them must be nothing compared to what God feels at the loss of so many.

[@lukesvideogameletsplays4416]

He sounds nothing like festus. Becomming a charector like that is talent.

[@vickisoto6422]

Love this character 💕

[@thomaspetty3890]

A deputy marshall Matt really could depend on. Festus could hold his own with anybody be it physical or just using his wits.

[@jamescrawford9643]

I always took Festus as Festus an never an actor! Loved ya Curtis in Gunsmoke!

[@malikavrette2093]

HANDS DOWN GREAT SHOW FROM BEGINNING TO END 20YRS WOW LOVE FESTUS &NEWLY MY 2 FAVS.

[@equinefine59]

What year is this interview? anyone know??

[@universityofdayton]

Our records indicate this was recorded in 1969.

[@louf7178]

Chester had the coffee schtick.

[@MonaMcKelvy]

Truly missed. Amazing actor and singer.

[@BrianAdams-dt1ks]

This woman is a typical birdbrain interviewer. Dillon was a marshall, not sheriff for example.

[@scottarnold9373]

Who is this woman in the bad wig?

[@MJo-ng4lj]

❤🎉🎉

[@chrismoreno1627]

When he starts off with his festus voice it sounds weird hearing his normal voice cuz im so used to that Festus accent R.I.P MR. CURTIS!!!

[@catfish24]

Festus was part of my come up ins

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Good ol Kenny Curtis...what a character and crooner.

[@jeffandrews2020]

ok but nothing say when this was aired

[@bernaberuiz5728]

Who was Buck Taylor father????

[@MENFUSSMIKE]

Dub

[@Jimmy-bm8rz]

I love it

[@samhonodel1935]

hes funny

[@grim5113]

Wow!

[@valpro99]

OMG. Ken Curtis's real voice. I've never heard it before.