Ken Curtis Net Worth
Ken Curtis Net Worth
If you’re a fan of the Western television show Gunsmoke, then you probably know about Ken Curtis. He was one of the main recurring characters on the series, playing Festus Haggen for many seasons.
His net worth is estimated at $5 millio. He accumulated this wealth through his success in both acting and singing. These accomplishments helped put his status in the spotlight before his death.
Born in Lamar, Colorado
Ken Curtis was born in the southeastern Colorado town of Lamar to Dan Gates and Millie Sneed Gates. His father was sheriff of Las Animas. He was also an accomplished saxophonist and served in the Army during World War II.
After his military service, he moved to Los Angeles and became a vocalist in the Tommy Dorsey band, but was soon discovered by Columbia Pictures who signed him up as a singing cowboy in a series of low-budget westerns. He made several of these films, and introduced the Western standard “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” to movie audiences.
He had a number of small film roles, but his fame was established as the scuffy bewhiskered deputy sheriff Festus Haggen on the popular TV western series Gunsmoke (1964-75). The actor died in his sleep at his ranch in Clovis, California, on April 28, 1991 from a heart attack. His ashes were scattered in his beloved Colorado flatlands, where he was born.
Married twice
Ken Curtis was born in Lamar, Colorado, on July 2, 1916. He is an American singer and actor.
He began his career as a big-band vocalist (he joined the Tommy Dorsey Band after Frank Sinatra left), and later became a lead singer in the Sons of the Pioneers vocal group.
In 1945, he signed a contract with Columbia Pictures to star in a series of musical Westerns. He played the romantic lead in most of them.
His career also included two low-budget monster films and an adaptation of Louis L’Amour’s novel Conagher.
He also made many television appearances, including on Have Gun – Will Travel, Perry Mason, Wagon Train and Gunsmoke. He also appeared in a number of movies by his father-in-law, John Ford.
Married to Lorraine Page
In 1945, Ken Curtis signed a contract with Columbia Pictures and began a career in singing western musicals. He was part of the Sons of the Pioneers, a popular band.
He was a very successful singer and made many movies. His most famous films were The Searchers, The Quiet Man, The Wings of Eagles and How the West Was Won.
He also teamed up with director John Ford on several movies including Mister Roberts. His career was very successful but he died from heart complications in 1991 at the age of 74.
Married to Barbara Ford
Ken Curtis was married to Barbara Ford from 1952 to 1964. She was the daughter of movie director John Ford, who regularly cast Curtis in his films.
Before Curtis was a Gunsmoke star, he worked in several B westerns from the mid-1930s to the 1950s. The plots were often short and had little variety.
The main characters were usually a girl, a ranch or hotel, a villain who wanted both, and a comic sidekick or two. The film was often rated at about one hour, and these B-westerns made some money for the studios.
Curtis had a long singing career as well, with a number of country and pop songs to his credit. He also sang in musicals and performed on the NBC radio network. He died in 1991, aged 74, after a heart attack. His ashes were scattered in the Colorado flatlands.
Married to Torrie Connelly
Ken Curtis married Torrie Connelly in 1941 and the couple had three children together. She was a philanthropist and dedicated to helping others in need. She also served on the board of directors of several organizations and was a member of the Hollywood Women’s Club.
She was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 10, 1912. Her father was a real estate broker and homemaker, and her mother cooked for the county jail.
When he was a teenager, Ken was in the school band, playing clarinet. He attended Colorado College aiming for a career in medicine but dropped out to pursue music.
After World War II, he signed with Columbia Pictures and soon became a Western star, appearing in films by Ford as well as classic John Wayne movies. His roles blurred the line between film and early country radio, partnering with singing cowgirls Carolina Cotton and the Hoosier Hotshots. He also starred in a series of musical Westerns and performed with the Sons of the Pioneers.
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