Roger Ewing | |
|---|---|
 Ewing in 1967 | |
| Born | Roger Lawrence Ewing (1942-01-12)January 12, 1942 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 18, 2025(2025-12-18) (aged 83) Morro Bay, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1964–1972 |
Roger Lawrence Ewing (January 12, 1942 – December 18, 2025) was an American film and television actor.12 He is perhaps best known for playing Thad Greenwood in the American western television series Gunsmoke.3
Life and career
Roger Lawrence Ewing was born in Los Angeles, California on January 12, 1942.45
Ewing's first screen appearance was in 1964, in the film Ensign Pulver.3
In 1965, Ewing guest-starred in the western television series Gunsmoke, appearing in the episode "Song for Dying".3 Ewing's performance impressed the producers, who offered him the role of Clayton Thaddeus "Thad" Greenwood, and he joined the regular cast.4 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.4 Ewing had been a Gunsmoke fan while in high school, where he had appeared in a parody of the show.67
He also guest-starred in television programs including Rawhide, The Farmer's Daughter, Bewitched, The Eleventh Hour and Room 222.3
Ewing retired from acting in 1972, last appearing in the film Play It as It Lays,3 and became a professional photographer.4
Ewing died in Morro Bay, California on December 18, 2025, at the age of 83.5
Filmography
Film
| 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
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Bewitched | Marvin "Monster" Grogan | 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
References
- "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.
- "Roger Ewing Fills 'Gunsmoke' Roles". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. January 2, 1966. p. 134. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- 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.
- Aaker, Everett (May 16, 2017). Television Western Players, 1960–1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 161. ISBN 9781476628561 – via Google Books.
- Barnes, Mike (January 9, 2026). "Roger Ewing, Deputy Marshal Thad Greenwood on 'Gunsmoke,' Dies at 83". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
- "Gunsmoke Fan Hits The Target". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. June 26, 1966. p. 88. Retrieved August 14, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- Johnson, Erskine (July 9, 1966). "Ewing is Gunsmoke fan turned actor". Kenosha News. Kenosha, Wisconsin. p. 29. Retrieved November 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
External links
- Roger Ewing at IMDb
- Roger Ewing at the TCM Movie Database (archived)
- Rotten Tomatoes profile