Roger Lawrence Ewing (born January 12, 1942)[1] is an American film and television actor.[2][3] He is perhaps best known for playing Thad Greenwood in the American western television series Gunsmoke.[4]

Roger Ewing
Ewing in 1967
Born
Roger Lawrence Ewing[1]

(1942-01-12) January 12, 1942 (age 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Film and television actor
Years active1964–1972

Early life

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Ewing was born in Los Angeles, California in 1942.[1]

Career

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Ewing's first screen appearance was in 1964, in the film Ensign Pulver.[4]

In 1965, Ewing guest-starred in the western television series Gunsmoke, appearing in the episode "Song for Dying".[4] Ewing's performance impressed the producers, who offered him the role of Clayton Thaddeus "Thad" Greenwood, and he joined the regular cast.[1] At the time, there was a contract dispute between star James Arness and CBS, and Ewing's character was created by CBS with a view to replacing Arness should they deem it necessary. By 1967 the disagreement had been resolved, and Ewing's character was written out of the show.[1] Ewing had been a Gunsmoke fan while in high school, where he had appeared in a parody of the show.[5][6]

He also guest-starred in television programs including Rawhide, The Farmer's Daughter, Bewitched, The Eleventh Hour and Room 222.[4]

Ewing retired from acting in 1972, last appearing in the film Play It as It Lays,[4] and became a professional photographer.[1]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1964 Ensign Pulver Jackson Uncredited
1965 None but the Brave Pvt. Swensholm
1969 Smith! Donald Maxwell
1972 Play It as It Lays Nelson

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1964 Bewitched Marvin Grogan (Monster) Episode: "The Girl Reporter"
1964 The Baileys of Balboa Norman Episode: "Look Who's a Sailor"
1964 The Bing Crosby Show Eddie Fox 2 episodes
1965 Rawhide Billy Wallace Episode: "The Calf Women"
1965–1967 Gunsmoke Various roles 65 episodes
1967 The Mothers-in-Law Carter Case Episode: "Divorce: Mother-in-Law Style"
1970 Death Valley Days Frank Harris Episode: "Pioneer Pluck"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Aaker, Everett (May 16, 2017). Television Western Players, 1960–1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 161. ISBN 9781476628561 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "Roger Ewing Now Gunsmoke Regular, Fan Long Time". The North Adams Transcript. North Adams, Massachusetts. May 14, 1966. p. 18. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  3. ^ "Roger Ewing Fills 'Gunsmoke' Roles". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. January 2, 1966. p. 134. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ a b c d e Greenland, David (August 2013). The Gunsmoke Chronicles: A New History of Television's Greatest Western. BearManor Media. pp. 40–41. ISBN 9781593937331 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ "Gunsmoke Fan Hits The Target". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. June 26, 1966. p. 88. Retrieved August 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Johnson, Erskine (July 9, 1966). "Ewing is Gunsmoke fan turned actor". Kenosha News. Kenosha, Wisconsin. p. 29. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
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