Weaver was the first actor cast for the show, which meant that he had the privilege of setting some of the tone when it came to casting the other actors. What does that mean?
Well, he had to do chemistry checks with all the other actors, which meant he was present and reading with almost everyone who came to audition for the roles of Matt Dillon and Doc. Luckily, they ended up filling these roles too.
A Disappointing Ending
Fans of "Gunsmoke" were seriously invested in the show. After all, it was on the air for two whole decades, and so many people grew up watching it and continued to watch it into adulthood. So, most were pretty upset when the show ended the way it did.
After 20 years on the air, the show suddenly stopped playing new episodes. The last one ever aired was called “The Sharecropper,” and played in 1975. There was no tying up of any loose ends and no closure.
Adding Goode's Accent
Chester Goode was the first character cast during the first year of the show's production. Goode is played by Dennis Weaver who is known for his heavy accent and noticeable limp. The accent was an afterthought during the audition process, after Weaver’s first go-round when he was told that they wish he would’ve brought “more humor to the role.”
He added the accent to his line delivery the second time around – along with the famous limp – and producers were on the floor laughing.
Thad
Roger Ewing is probably most well-remembered for playing deputy marshal Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood, AKA, “Thad,” on the show. He stuck around for two seasons before the show was temporarily canceled in 1967. When it came back on the air – Thad was nowhere to be found.
Ewing decided to try and stay off-screen as much as possible after his days on "Gunsmoke". Being an introverted person, he wasn’t thrilled about living life as a celebrity.
Casting Matt Dillon
Before James Arness landed the leading role of Marshal Matt Dillon dozens of other actors were up for the part. Among the others who almost played the show’s protagonist were actors you know and love from other projects.
Raymond Burr ended up playing the title characters in both "Perry Mason" and "Ironside" was considered for the role. William Conrad was considered first since it was he who voiced Dillon’s role on the original "Gunsmoke" radio program.