Photo: CBS photo by Gabor Rona / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Ken Curtis is one of those warm, character-driven talents I find easy to root for. Most remember him as Festus on Gunsmoke, but I love that he started as a genuine singer with the Sons of the Pioneers, lending real musical chops to that cowboy-harmony legacy before television made him a household face. A Colorado kid from Lamar who could sing, act, and write, he had range that the Festus role almost obscures. What appeals to me is his everyman charm, less a glamorous star than the lovable neighbor you'd trust. He passed in 1991, but he remains a wonderfully flavorful supporting player.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Ken Curtis
- Name (Japanese)
- ケン・カーティス
- Reading
- けん・かーてぃす
- Born
- July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Cancer / Dragon
- Origin
- Lamar, Colorado, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- singer / film actor / television actor / actor / screenwriter
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Colorado College
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Ken Curtis born?
July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991.
Where is Ken Curtis from?
Ken Curtis is from Lamar, Colorado, United States.
What does Ken Curtis do?
Ken Curtis works as singer, film actor, television actor, actor, screenwriter.
Singer — see all → · Film actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.