American film and television actor
| Roger Ewing | |
|---|---|
 Ewing in 1967 | |
| Born | Roger Lawrence Ewing (1942-01-12) January 12, 1942 (age 82) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Film and television actor |
| Years active | 1964–1972 |
Roger Lawrence Ewing (born January 12, 1942) is an American film and television actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Thad Greenwood in the American western television series Gunsmoke.
Early life
Ewing was born in Los Angeles, California in 1942.
Career
Ewing's first screen appearance was in 1964, in the film Ensign Pulver.
In 1965, Ewing guest-starred in the western television series Gunsmoke, appearing in the episode "Song for Dying". Ewing's performance impressed the producers, who offered him the role of Clayton Thaddeus "Thad" Greenwood, and he joined the regular cast. 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. Ewing had been a Gunsmoke fan while in high school, where he had appeared in a parody of the show.
He also guest-starred in television programs including Rawhide, The Farmer's Daughter, Bewitched, The Eleventh Hour and Room 222.
Ewing retired from acting in 1972, last appearing in the film Play It as It Lays, and became a professional photographer.
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 Grogan (Monster) | 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
- ^ Aaker, Everett (May 16, 2017). Television Western Players, 1960–1975: A Biographical Dictionary. McFarland. p. 161. ISBN 9781476628561 – via Google Books.
- "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.
- "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.