how did sam the bartender die on gunsmoke? how did sam the bartender die on gunsmoke?

Strange appeared in six episodes of The Rifleman playing the same role in different variations: Cole, the stagecoach driver, in "Duel of Honor"; a stagecoach shotgun guard in "The Dead-eye Kid"; Joey, a stagecoach driver in "The Woman"; and an unnamed stagecoach driver in "The Blowout", "The Spiked Rifle", and "Miss Bertie".[3]. The switch happened in season nine, in the episode "The Prairie Wolfer.". He was replaced by Woody Harrelson's character Woody, Coach's old "pen pal," with whom he used to exchange pens in the mail. He was raised in a town in West Texas called Cross Cut and began learning to play the guitar and fiddle by ear at a young age. By Christian Schoon / March 19, 2022 1:50 pm EST. Considering Arness stood at a giant 6-feet 7-inches tall, he likely realized how valuable a great stuntman of that size was. Although Stranges death brought a tragic end to the show, he left a legacy that lives on in his son, Cooper Glenn Taylor. A stunt double for James Arness on the hit TV show Gunsmoke, Ben Bates appeared on the hit western series for 25 years. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Strange was Butch Cavendish, the outlaw that bushwhacks the Texas Rangers in the opening three-parter of the LONE RANGER TV show. If you were a fan of the hit TV series GUNSMOKE, you may be curious to learn how did Sam the bartender die. No family show in history had depicted the death of a main character on screen before, but they decided to give it a shot. Phil Hartman's tragic death was addressed by NewsRadio in a beautifully balanced manner. Doc Adams didnt leave Gunsmoke by choice despite the stereotypes that actors leave shows over drama behind the scenes. He taught himself (by ear) the fiddle and guitar at a young age and started performing at local functions as a teen. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Is anyone alive from Gunsmoke? What happened to the first Sam on Gunsmoke? Perry, who had experienced heavy levels of celebrity in the 90s playing Dylan McKay onBeverly Hills, 90210had been a regular member of theRiverdalecast since the show's pilot episode. James Arness rode the same Buckskin horse (Buck) in this movie as he rode in many episodes of Gunsmoke (1955). However, the Minneapolis-born Peter and James are not related to Nielsen. The producers considered writing Hooper out, sending the character off to Florida to retire. Outside of acting, she found success as a corporate speaker, discussing her struggle with breast cancer and the importance of laughter. Required fields are marked *. So how does a show about a guy who can travel anywhere in time deal with death? Did James Arness ride his own horse in Gunsmoke? In later years, his limp made him unable to take part in a long day of filming. Sadly, Noonans death came two years after his co-star, Glenn Strange. When did Sam become the bartender on Gunsmoke? In the 1950s he played the outlaw Cavendish in the Lone Ranger TV series. "Gunsmoke" Mannon (TV Episode 1969) - IMDb Glenn Strange died of cancer in 1973. "Gunsmoke" The Thieves (TV Episode 1970) - IMDb Actor. In addition to his legendary role on the show, Noonan also played a monstrous role in The Lone Ranger. When she died suddenly of a cerebral hemorrhage in 2003 at age 54, her character, Ella Mae Farmer, was killed in universe, dying of the cancer she'd been recovering from. While Kroger was replaced by a new therapist, Hctor Elizondo's Dr. Neven Bell, his loss was felt deeply. In fact, he even had a limp as part of his characters character. He dropped the u from his name at the urging of his theater coach. Will Lee, the actor who played Mister Hooper, died of a heart attack in 1982. The episode that killed James Arness was filmed in 1973. He also appeared in five made-for-television movies based on the Gunsmoke franchise. He even made his first appearance in a remake of the classic film The Rifleman. Strange was Butch Cavendish, the outlaw that bushwhacks the Texas But how? Gunsmoke, starring James Arness as Marshal Matt Dillon, ended its 20-season run on CBS in 1975. [6] In addition, Strange was an eighth-generation great-grandson of John Rolfe and Pocahontas through his maternal grandfather. How Much Do Bartenders Make in California. 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. 200 of them were B westerns. 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. Although she was only 26 at the time, Blake had been part of a singing group that toured fairs and rodeos. One of his final performances was as Andrew Campbell, father of Pete, on Mad Men. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. Played Waiter in "Gunsmoke" in 1955. 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. His reason? Not once. 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. After the first season of Gunsmoke, the actor was nominated for an Academy Award for his role. Dennis Weaver, who played Chester, started his program and had to leave Gunsmoke. In 1952, he was cast in the role of Chief Black Cloud in the episode "Indian War Party" of the syndicated The Range Rider. As Glenn began to get a serious chill, Chaney recommended that alcohol would keep Strange warm. [4] Frankenstein's monster [ edit] Strange (left) and Boris Karloff in the 1944 horror film, House of Frankenstein Following his film career he returned to his horse ranch. Instead, they rewrote the ending with McGarry dying on election night and Santos becoming president. In the 1940s, he had success as an actor in the horror film The Mad Monster for Producers Releasing Corporation. In 1943, he played a badman in the Hopalong Cassidy movie False Colors. 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. Sams last name was Noonan. Permalink. Then, the next year, Edna's death was referenced in the Season 25 episode "The Man Who Grew Too Much.". The show wrote his character, Fred, out of the latter part of the third season, which was still in production at the time, explaining his absence by saying that he was on a business trip. He acted as a sidekick and sang in a number of B movies before landing the role of the Frankenstein Monster in Universal films. In 1959, he appeared in another Western syndicated series, Mackenzie's Raiders, in the episode entitled "Apache Boy". 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. By the early 2000s, though, she had picked up a starring role on the crime procedural The District alongside Craig T. Nelson and Sean Patrick Thomas. His first wife was Flora Hooper of Duncan, Oklahoma. In some scenes 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. His marriage to Minnie Thompson lasted 36 years. From 1955 through 1960, the owner of the general store in Dodge City was played by Dabs Greer. Listed below are some of the movies starring Arness. 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). When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. He had Irish and Cherokee descent through his father. 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. He appeared in more than 300 mo tion pictures, including Red River, Red Badge of Cour age, The Cardinal and the Frankenstein series, in which he succeeded Boris Karloff as the monster. 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. Glenn Strange was born in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899. Another character on Gunsmoke was Glenn Strange. The shows long-running run and wide popularity led CBS to continue its run on Monday nights. He suffered from depression and bipolar disorder, and in 2013, after he failed to show up on set, police were sent on a wellness check. A fan favorite character, his absence was reportedly felt on and off screen when shooting commenced on the follow-up series Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life, according to a piece in Vanity Fair. He'll teach you about baseball. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How Did Sam the Bartender Die on Gunsmoke? - Bartending Expert Gunsmoke was a radio series that ran from 1952 to 1961. His death prompted many fans to mourn the loss of Noonan, who had portrayed Sam on the show. Strange was cast in 1944 film House of Frankenstein in the role created by Boris Karloff in Frankenstein (1931), coached by Karloff personally after hours. They were looking for a more sophisticated viewer and their lineup reflected it. He played Frankenstein in House of Frankenstein in 1944, House of Dracula in 1945, and, just for laughs, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein in 1948. 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. After working on the project, Strange was hired to appear in other horror films including the monster in Spy and Blood in the 1950s. The original Cowboy actor, Cactus Mack, died in 1962, just months after his last role on Gunsmoke. Cast members read about the cancellation in an Associated Press story. 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? google_color_url = "999999"; Richard's passing became a major plot point, especially in the sequel series' opening episode. Glenn Strange played Sam the Bartender on Gunsmoke. Strange grew up in the West Texas town of Cross Cut. 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. 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.". Buck Taylor, another of Stranges costars on Gunsmoke, named his son Cooper Glenn Taylor in honor of Strange. The producers considered writing Hooper out, sending the character off to Florida to retire. In 1973 Dean would sing at Glenns funeral service. Eventually in the late 30s, his billing improved and he evolved into a full-time bad guy in hundreds of "B" westerns. Macks wife, Etta Sarah Jessee, had been a cowgirl. Arness was born James Aurness in Minneapolis on May 26, 1923. It was filmed in black and white, but switched to color in 1967. Strange played Frankensteins monster in three Universal films in the 1940s, and also played a character named Sam Noonan on the series. Your email address will not be published. Growing up in Cross Cut, Texas, his father was a rancher. Louie Pheeters 223 Episodes 1975. His last appearance as the Brigadier had been three years before on the spin-off show The Sarah Jane Adventures, but the character's presence had always been felt on Doctor Who. In recent years, though, many shows have adopted the approach of dealing with a cast member's death directly: by killing off the character that they were portraying. Buck Taylor, another of Strange's costars on "Gunsmoke," named his son Cooper Glenn Taylor in honor of Strange. The writers on Mad Menoffed his character in Season 2, where they revealed that he had died in the real life American Flight 1 plane crash, a 1962 airline accident that took the lives of everyone on board. James Arnesss death was a tragedy for both the actor and the audience. Mack was a relative of Rex Allen and Glenn Strange, and his last co-starring role was in a 1961 episode. Arness died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, said family spokeswoman Ginny Fazer. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Showrunner John Wells has contradicted O'Donnell's claims, but one thing they agree on is this: They couldn't keep doing the show without Spencer. After Gunsmoke wrapped up, Dillon gifted Bates his signature .45 sidearm. It does not store any personal data. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He portrayed the role almost exclusively until his death in 1973. 1948). There, they found he had taken his own life. This is a odd coincidence as his father was a bartender in real-life back in Cross Cut. After Gunsmoke ended in 1975, Stone made his directorial debut as Doc Adams, the shows main character. 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. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. During its run, Gunsmoke featured many bartenders, including James Arness. In Dodge, the man draws a lot of attention, because the citizens recognize Ruth. During his tenure on the show, Sam appeared in 237 episodes. The Thieves: Directed by Philip Leacock. Why did Sam the bartender leave Gunsmoke? 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. In 1975, two years after Strange's death, his Gunsmoke costar Buck Taylor named his third son Cooper Glenn Taylor after Strange. 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. Gunsmoke: Glenn Strange, Who Played Sam the Bartender, Had Some Wild Roles Before the Show. 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. Copyright 2022 Bartending House | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. He was Sam the bartender at the Long Branch saloon on GUNSMOKE from 1962 until shortly before his death from lung cancer in 1973. Did Sam Elliott ever play in Gunsmoke? They paid tribute to their lost colleague with a touching opening sequence shortly after her passing. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. But in a maneuver now widely known as the "Reverse Fast 7," they acknowledged that their audience was mature enough to accept death and made a whole episode about his passing. Known for his role as Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke, Glenn Strange passed away nearly 50 years ago. Marcia Wallace had a remarkable career. By nature a gentle, sym pathetic man, he usually played the bad guy or a monster in some 500 television shows. Bates also received a gift from Dillon for his role on the series: a signed.45 sidearm. On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. The Arness brothers and Nielsen were all born in the 20s, with Nielsen and Peter Graves even co-starring in Airplane! 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. He was 74 years old when he died of cancer. Strange also appeared in character with Lou Costello in a haunted house skit on The Colgate Comedy Hour and made a gag publicity appearance as a masked flagpole-sitter for a local Los Angeles TV show in the 1950s. He died of aortic dissection, a rare condition in which blood forces the layers of the aorta apart. It's destroyed marriages and torn apart careers and caused hypertension and acid reflux in officers of the law. They persevered, and the sad saga was broadcast. The Long Branch barkeep was also known as Frankensteins monster in a few Hollywood movies, the Dodge City Daily Globe reports. By the time he was 12, he was performing at cowboy dances. After Gunsmoke ended in 1975, he appeared in a number of other projects. His father was a bartender and later a rancher. Strange dropped out of school at the end of 8th grade and taught himself the guitar and fiddle. It featured many outdoor scenes in Johnson Canyon near Kanab, Utah. 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. However, it seems Arness harnessed some of that persona in real life, especially with how much he looked out for his stuntman. Despite the death of his co-star, the show remained in Dodge City after 1975. Until the Simpsons came along, it was the longest-running prime-time series of all time. Offscreen, however, Young's life was a difficult one. His absence on the show led the creators to make sure that all three characters were written out. Who Played Sam the Bartender on Gunsmoke? - Bartending House Stranges early film roles included The Adventures Of Kit Carson and The Cisco Kid. Mack was also in NBCs Gunsmoke radio version. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why so surprising? Who played Joe the waiter on Gunsmoke? - TimesMojo He was sinister. The couple had one child, Janine Laraine Strange (born 1939). The actors death is the second deadliest recurring character in television history. When western movie demand grew scarce in the 1950s, Strange began acting in western television shows. They had three children together. The cast was not aware that John Wayne would introduce the series first episode. 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. Utilizing clever editing techniques, the production team at the show put together what they described as a "patchwork scene"with unused footage of a scene in which his character fell asleep in court. Jump to: Photos (11). However, in 1971, he was forced to temporarily leave the show for just a handful of episodes because he had to undergo heart surgery after suffering a heart attack. He had heart surgery in 1970, and was forced to leave the show for a short time. He was 29. In the book, Greenland writes that one time, while Blake was traveling by the networks Big Apple offices, she said, I think Ill go in there and hit Bill Paley over the head with a brickbat.. [5], Strange was 6ft 5in tall and weighed 220lbs. google_ad_channel =""; Does a Mobile Bartender Need a Liquor License? He was also the leading man in The Naked Gun and later starred as Jake Bayloe. Blake wanted to storm the steps of CBS in New York City. In his spare time, he continued to perform as an actor, and was also an accomplished singer. In addition to his acting roles, he also acted as a fiddle player in one Gunsmoke episode. 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. Hathorn, Billy (2013). Bates wrote about the event in James Arness: An Autobiography. Ben Bates served as Dillons stuntman for more than 25 years, something Arness appreciated. Noonan was cast in more than 300 projects throughout his career. When did Sam become the bartender on Gunsmoke? Your email address will not be published. Blake did have throat cancer, but that wasn't the reason that she died, said Dr. Lou Nishimura, a Sacramento internist. In Gunsmoke: Harpes Blood (1961) it is revealed that Sams last name is Noonan. Gunsmoke (TV Series 1955-1975) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb Ernie "Coach" Pantusso was a constant presence on Cheers from the beginning of the series. He died of lung cancer in 1973. 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. Whatever show you saw at the end of its 20th season was it, friend. //-->. The more nerd-inclined readers might know Stanley Kamel from his appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation. as Sam the bartender. But CBS was moving away from westerns and rural comedies by the mid-1970s. But in February of 2019, the 52-year-old performer suffered a massive stroke, passing away a few days later on March 4th. 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. One more interesting bit of trivia about Strange. Glenn Strange - Biography - IMDb Gunsmoke is a long-running radio series that was adapted for television in the 1950s. 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. Happy trails, Sam. 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. 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. Answer: The last episode of Gunsmoke was not designed to be a series finale. Arness created and shaped the character, making him both a quick draw and incorruptible. Their sons Rolf and Craig are still alive, but sadly, he died before his daughter. However, later in the series, viewers were told that Granger had passed away, having died peacefully under a tree after leaving to try to atone for his many missteps raising his daughter. You could almost say he was born to play western roles. The show was made famous by its dark tone and dark voices. Learn more about the full cast of Gunsmoke with news, photos, videos and more at TV Guide. 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. Noonans death sparked a massive fan-base. A stunt double for James Arness on the hit TV show Gunsmoke, Ben Bates appeared on the hit western series for 25 years. 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. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. She left the show following the death of her co-star Sam the bartender in season eight. What happened to Miss Kitty in season 20 of Gunsmoke? Glenn quit school after 8th grade. Gunsmoke: The Other Hard Living Folks in Dodge City He portrayed Sam Noonan, a mainstay bartender on "Gunsmoke." He was beloved by many on the show. Your email address will not be published. How Much Do Bartenders in Las Vegas Make? In 1944, while Strange was being made up for an action film at Universal, make-up artist Jack Pierce noticed that Strange's facial features and 6'5" height would be appropriate for the role of Frankenstein's monster. The main character, Matt Dillon, was portrayed by William Conrad. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Mack was undergoing abdominal surgery when the series began, and he died soon thereafter, while filming The Ugly American with Marlon Brando. Author David R. Greenland, in his book The Gunsmoke Chronicles: A New History of Televisions Greatest Western, writes about her reaction to the cancellation. He was an Irishman and Cherokee and was a close relative of Rex Allen. On the big screen, he had meaty roles in films that ran the gamut in quality, from Akeelah and the Bee to The Hills Have Eyes 2. There, he played Finn Hudson, the star athlete who joined the glee club and did a whole heap of singing. Not long after Delgado's passing, third Doctor Jon Pertwee left the program. Small film parts and television appearances followed, but his real return to the spotlight came in 2002 with the premiere of his hit show 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. While well start with Burt Reynolds, James Arness, and Ben Bates, well get to Burt Strange next. It spawned numerous spin-offs and even a movie. 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. His first wife, Jenny Lee Arness, committed suicide in 1975. He played Sam the Bartender in CBS' Gunsmoke. Miguel Ferrer had a long career, starting out as a TV actor before breaking into the public eye with his role as the ill-fated vice president of OCP in 1987's RoboCop. Strange was born on August 16, 1899 in Weed, NM and Stone was born in 1904. raised in Texas. Death. Glenn quit school after 8th grade. In Season 7, McGarry ran for vice president alongside Jimmy Smits' Congressman Santos. google_ad_type = "text_image"; John Wayne first appeared on Gunsmoke in 1959 and played a variety of roles. He and his cousin Taylor McPeters toured throughout the country during the 1920s. Despite very small differences in opinion, the cast had remained friendly during the shows run. The cancellation of Gunsmoke came as a surprise to fans, and the cast was unable to put together a farewell episode. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. How Long Does It Take To Become A Bartender? During the sixth series' finale, the Doctor calls the nursing home where Lethbridge-Stewart had been living. Sorry if we're blowing some minds here, but it's just the way things are. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". From the moment he walked out of a horse box in Doctor Who's Season 8 premiere, Roger Delgado made a splash as the villainous Master. 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. In addition to Burt Reynoldss portrayal of Sam the bartender, Glenn Strange also had a significant role on the series. For seven years and over 150 episodes, Edward Herrmann played Gilmore family patriarch Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. On television, the lead role was played by James Arness, and Stone starred alongside other legends like Roy Rogers and Michael Douglas. While the series may not be a classic, it embodies the new adult vision of the mythic Old West. Strange died on Sept. 20, 1973. The show was a hit, and it lasted for 20 seasons. With Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis, Buck Taylor. When the network called for Gunsmoke to shut down business in Dodge City, it was surprising news to its stars and fans alike. The Real Reason Chester Was Written Off Gunsmoke. He was conniving. 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. Amanda Blake's Death Was AIDS-Related, Doctor Says - AP News What was Sam the bartender last episode on Gunsmoke? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The production made sure that all three characters (Dillon, Chester, and Festus . Sadly, John Spencer passed away as the result of a heart attack on December 16, 2005, and the series' creators were forced to figure out a way to resolve his story.