Gunsmoke star dead at 83

Public reaction to Ewing’s death highlights the fondness many fans still feel toward him and the character he brought to life.

Friends and colleagues described him as *kind, humble, and genuine* — traits that mirrored the warmth and integrity of the characters he played. One close friend remembered him as a “good and gentle man” whose life, both on and off screen, touched many people in different ways. ([AOL][4])

For fans who watched *Gunsmoke* when it first aired — or watched reruns decades later — Ewing’s Deputy Thad Greenwood wasn’t just a supporting character. He represented a connection to the heart of the series: loyalty, steadiness, and quiet courage.

In an era when television often leaned on spectacle, *Gunsmoke* endured because of its deeply human characters — and Ewing helped shape that legacy.

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