Articles about Maine history, government, ecology, economy, recreation, towns, natural features, famous people, sports, with maps, photos, and videos. He died at the age of 88. (1931- ) was governor of Maine from 1967 to 1975, and was Chair of the Democratic National Committee in 1977. My husband hired Ken to represent me after a nearly fatal car accident that left me with siginificant physical trauma and a mind . His personal year number in 2023 is 7. Ken Curtis was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen in the series Gunsmoke. At age 88, Curtis displays the warmth, curiosity and keen interest in visitors that were his hallmark during his political career as well as an unusual degree of modesty. 1966 Democrat Ken Curtis, age 35, defeats Republican incumbent Gov. Spouse: Torrie Ahern Connelly (m. 1966-1991), Barbara Ford (m. 1952-1964), Lorraine Page (m. 1943) Parents: Nellie Sneed Gates, Dan Gates: Siblings: . Curtis also joined Ford, along with Henry Fonda, James Cagney, William Powell, and Jack Lemmon, in the comedy Navy classic Mister Roberts. The stunning American actress, Amanda Blake was best known for her roles in the classic western series Gunsmoke as Miss Kitty. It gives them a feeling of being part of it.. While there his love for singing grew and he involved himself in various college musical events. One of his last roles was the television production Conagher, in which he played an aging cattle rancher. Biography - A Short WikiPlayed the role of Festus on TV's Gunsmoke and also sang with Sons of the Pioneers prior to becoming an actor. Death: 1985 (62-63) Immediate Family: Daughter of John Ford and Mary McBryde Ford. He was also a part of the three Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney produced films The Searchers, The Missouri Traveler and The Young Land. Although he had appeared in other roles on Gunsmoke before, he was first cast as Festus in Season 8, Episode 13, December 8, 1962 Us Haggens. So, how much is Ken Curtis worth at the age of 75 years old? Gov. Former Dothan officer headed to prison for sex crimes. In 1935 he went to a college in Colorado Springs, CO, to study medicine. Aside from these, he made guest appearances in several Western television series including Have Gun Will Travel, plus a guest appearance in Perry Mason, and then Gunsmoke before eventually joining the show in the role of Festus. Six artists each painted a section of this habourside picture in 45 minutes each, to Auction and raise funds for the new Solomon Browne Hall in Mousehole. Faye Kesey, the widow of Oregon author Ken Kesey, married another well-known writer, Larry McMurtry, in McMurtry's hometown of Archer City, Texas, on April 29, the day of the royal wedding . id: "beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6", Even though their marriage only lasted five years, they also had two daughters, Allegra and Alexandra. As was the custom at the time, they lived above the jail and Gunsmoke, The Searchers, The Alamo, Cheyenne Autumn, The Killer Shrews, Mister Roberts, The Giant Gila Monster, The Horse Soldiers, The Wings of Eagles, Conagher, Ripcord, Robin Hood, The Young Land, The Yellow Rose, Pony Express Rider, The Last Hurrah, Two Rode Together, Don Daredevil Rides Again, Best remembered by the public for his role as Festus Haggen on. After his service as governor, Curtis served as U.S. of opportunity to observe him. Ken Curtis Height Weight. As Of His Death, Ken Curtis Age Was 74 Years. During my low-income years I lived in Portland.. There Is not much information about Ken Curtis Wife from Trusted Sources. Before her marriage to Ken Curtis, Torrie Ahern Connelly was married to Lex Connelly. He then went on to Shep Fields Orchestra. He was a singer in the fictional band The Regimental Singers, which in reality consisted of the Sons of the Pioneers. For much of 1948, Curtis was a featured singer and host of the long-running country music radio program WWVA Jamboree. He was also the host of the radio program entitled WWVA Jamboree. He worked at the town jail and played the saxophone in high school. Dr. Nishimura, an internist in Sacramento said that she suffered from AIDS for about a year. On the other hand, American actor and television personality Zachary Knighton has a net worth of $800,000 as of 2023. His wife is Torrie Ahern Connelly (12 March1966 - 28 April1991)( his death), Barbara Ford (31 May1952 - 23 July1964)( divorced). With Tony's marriage to Janet over in 1962, he married the Golden Globe-winning actress, Christine Maria Kaufmann the following year. Ken Curtis was born on the 2nd of July, 2016. In 5 Steps to Danger (1957 film), he is uncredited as FBI Agent Jim Anderson. After becoming Maine Secretary of State in 1965, he defeated the Democratic Maine Senate President and Speaker of the House in a primary election to challenge incumbent Republican Governor John Reed. Cedar Jack, who lived 15 miles south of town, made a living cutting cedar fence posts. The marriage eventually ended and his second marriage was to Barbara Ford who is the daughter of director John Ford. As per our records, Ken Curtis did not have an Instagram handle or any other Social Media Profiles. For much of 1948, Curtis was a featured singer and host of the long-running country music radio program WWVA Jamboree. A popular first family in the Blaine House, Ken and Pauline Polly Curtis lost a daughter, Susan, at a young age. While Marshal Matt Dillon had a total of five deputies over two decades, Festus held the role the longest (11 years), in 304 episodes. Reportedly, Curtis based the character off a local drunk in his town, adapting that country twang to film. According to a website called BJBSJ, an Instagram account run by WEEI producer Christ Curtis' wife, which is dedicated to their dog, released some private correspondences between Curtis and WEEI intern turned producer Lucy Burdge. In 1959, he appeared as cowhand Phil Jakes on the Gunsmoke season four episode, Jayhawkers. Use what you have. Built state parking garage. Producer John Mantley, interviewed for TV Guide when the movie aired, said Curtis had demanded double what Blake got; other sources say Mantley was at fault in offering Curtis an insultingly low salary (not specified in either account). In 1926 the family moved to Las Animas, the county seat of Bent County, so that his father, Dan Sullivan Gates, could run for sheriff. Celebritys Net worth, Biography, Sports, Health, Technology, & Entertainment. His wife is Torrie Ahern Connelly (12 March 1966 - 28 April 1991) ( his death), Barbara Ford (31 May 1952 - 23 July 1964) ( divorced) Family; Parents: Not Available: His stage name was changed to the easier-sounding "Ken Curtis" when he temporarily replaced Frank Sinatra in Tommy Dorsey's band in 1941. FRESNO, Calif. (AP) _ Ken Curtis, a singer and actor who starred as Marshal Matt Dillon's sidekick on the long-running television western Gunsmoke, has died at age 74. Lipez, Kermit. American Special Effects Professional Barbara Ford was . Your email address will not be published. He has lived most of his adult life in the Portland area in Portland, South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, he said. Ken Curtis had years of experience acting in film and television - including roles in many great Westerns such as the film The Alamo and the TV show Rawhide. His next appearance was in season 9, episode 2, October 5, 1963, as Kyle Kelly, in Lover Boy. He is a Aspiring Entrepreneur, Digital Marketer and Content Creator. Passed Consumer Credit Code, State Employee Labor Relations Act, Affirmative Action Plan, minimum wage increase to $2. A decade later, he returned to television in the short-lived Western series The Yellow Rose, in which he performed most of his scenes with Noah Beery, Jr.. He once said he patterned "Festus" after a local character known as Cedar Jack, who lived about 40 miles out in the cedar hills and made a living cutting cedar fence posts for farmers and ranchers. Money was the issue. He was inducted into the Western . From the 10th floor conference room overlooking Portland harbor at Curtis Thaxter the law firm he co-founded in 1975, after leaving Augusta he recently reflected on events that occurred half a lifetime ago. He died on April 28, 1991, Fresno, CA. He was the Maine Secretary of State from 1965-1966, the Governor of Maine from 1966-1974, and the United States Ambassador to Canada from 1979 to 1981. Inducted (as a cast member of Gunsmoke (1955)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981. Curtis met his first wife, Lorraine Page, at Universal Studios, and they were married in 1943. Through his second marriage, Curtis was a son-in-law of film director John Ford. Suggested:Kymbry Robinson Net Worth, Husband, Children, Biography. Curtis may have only served as insurance against Sinatras likely departure, and it was Dorsey who suggested that Gates change his name to Ken Curtis. Augusta: Office of the Governor, 1974. Ken Curtis joined the Sons of the Pioneers as a lead singer from 1949 to 1952. Columbia Pictures signed Curtis to a contract in 1945. (207) 536-5210, floor conference room overlooking Portland harbor at Curtis Thaxter the law firm he co-founded in 1975, after leaving Augusta he recently reflected on events that occurred half a lifetime ago. Were still a large state with a small population, and it seems impossible to find all the resources that are needed.. In The Quiet Man (1952) he played an accordion and sang tenor in the bar. When he came to Las Ken Curtis. is 5'11"(1.8m) . Older people dont have the drive to fight for the things that younger people do. For much of 1948, Curtis was a featured singer and host of the long-running country music radio program WWVA Jamboree. More information on Ken Curtis can be found here. Douglas Rooks. Other Interesting Ken Curtis Facts And Trivia. After getting separated from her third husband, Amanda got married to Mark Edward. We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 July. Today, the focus must be elsewhere. 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