"Johnon Wayne was supposed to act in Gunsmoke, but refused" is one of those old myths in Hollywood who refuses to die. Even in 2025, half a century of the show's final, many still believe that the Duke should have been the leading man in the most iconic West.
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According to Norman McDonell, the co-creator of the original radio series "Gunsmoke", which later helped to adapt to the television, the ordinary idea to offer Wayne's leading role was a dream of wild pipes. As he explained for 1975 TV guide Function: "Wayne was a big movie starvet and wouldn't think of TV for a minute. It was just a story of publicity." This makes the perfect sense given that in those days, television was rarely, if ever, given the same respect as the film.
Writer and director Charles Marquis Warren, who helped start the series during the first two seasons, also threw cold water on the idea that Wayne was offered the lead role: "I never thought about offering Wayne for a moment. But to this day -even some of the cast."
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Even Jamesiyes Ares seems to believe Johnon Wayne was supposed to lead the Gunsmoke
As Warren said, it was not just the fans who bought in the idea that the TV adaptation "Gunsmoke" was imagined with Johnon Wayne in mind. In fact, it seems that even Marshal Matt Dillon himself, Jameseims Ares, was below that impression. As explained in an interview in 2006:
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"When the Gunsmoke offer came in, he (Wayne) said:" I couldn't do it, but I have a young man here under a contract that I think he may answer the account. " So, he many merciful offered to present the first episode.
We will only show how stormy and strange machinations can be behind the scenes in Hollywood when even leading stars are under false impressions. So, yes, Johnon Wayne may have Kimo in the first episode "Gunsmoke"But that does not mean that he once officially approached the acting team.
Although he may not have boasted the name of the Duke in the official team, Gunsmoke had an iconic list of Starswoles during the legendary 20-year race. To read more, check out what Burt Reynolds had to say about his "Gunsmoke" Costar James Arres And how Harrison Ford are wound playing two completely different characters on the show.
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