Roger Ewing Explained

Roger Ewing
Birth Name:Roger Lawrence Ewing[1]
Birth Date:12 January 1942
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation:Film and television actor
Years Active:1964–1972

Roger Lawrence Ewing (born January 12, 1942) 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]

Early life

Ewing was born in Los Angeles, California in 1942.

Career

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

In 1965, Ewing guest-starred in the western television series Gunsmoke, appearing in the episode "Song for Dying". Ewing's performance impressed the producers, who offered him the role of Clayton Thaddeus "Thad" Greenwood, and he joined the regular cast. 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. 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.

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

Filmography

Film

!Year!Title!Role!Notes
1964Ensign PulverJacksonUncredited
1965None but the BravePvt. Swensholm
1969Smith!Donald Maxwell
1972Play It as It LaysNelson

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1964BewitchedMarvin Grogan (Monster)Episode: "The Girl Reporter"
1964The Baileys of BalboaNormanEpisode: "Look Who's a Sailor"
1964The Bing Crosby ShowEddie Fox2 episodes
1965RawhideBilly WallaceEpisode: "The Calf Women"
1965–1967GunsmokeVarious roles65 episodes
1967The Mothers-in-LawCarter CaseEpisode: "Divorce: Mother-in-Law Style"
1970Death Valley DaysFrank HarrisEpisode: "Pioneer Pluck"

External links

Notes and References

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