Blakes death certificate listed the immediate cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest due to liver failure and CMV hepatitis. He would show up in dozens of episodes, plotting to end the world with everything from nerve gas to killer inflatable chairs. Will Lee, the actor who played Mister Hooper, died of a heart attack in 1982. He was 55. Ferrer had been playing Assistant Director Owen Granger on NCIS: Los Angeles for five years when he passed away due to throat cancer in 2017. He even made his first appearance in a remake of the classic film The Rifleman. TV Deaths That Happened Because The Actor Really Died, According to executive producer Lawrence O'Donnell. Gunsmoke: Glenn Strange, Who Played Sam the Bartender, Had Some Wild Roles Before the Show. Did Sam Elliott ever play in Gunsmoke? Glenn Strange portrayed the bartender Sam Noonan, starting in 1961. He learned to play guitar and fiddle. During the first season of Mad Men, Pete Campbell was hounded by the disapproval of his father. Glenn Strange was pretty prolific. He was forced to leave the role in 1973 due to ill health. In later years, his limp made him unable to take part in a long day of filming. Actress Amanda Blake landed the role of Miss Kitty Russell on the popular western series Gunsmoke in 1955. Showrunner John Wells has contradicted O'Donnell's claims, but one thing they agree on is this: They couldn't keep doing the show without Spencer. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. In 1961, he began the small, but regular, role as Sam Noonan the bartender in Miss Kittys Long Branch Saloon, Dodge City in the TV show, Gunsmoke. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. If you're looking for extra feels, check out the portrait of Geronimo that Sam straightens in the series finale. But the actors performances did not stop the show from becoming a hit. Because the show featured many actors, James Arnesss pay rose every year. Festus Haggen is riding his mule Ruth when he encounters a man on foot carrying a saddle. Around 12, he taught himself the fiddle and guitar and began performing in his teenage years. However, he didnt drink much and couldnt drink on the set. It should be noted that Boris Karloff, who played the original Frankenstein, coached Strange on playing the role in his off-hours. They paid tribute to their lost colleague with a touching opening sequence shortly after her passing. Gunsmoke Cast List Amanda Blake Gunsmoke, The Edge of Night Amanda Blake (February 20, 1929 August 16, 1989) was an American actress best known for the role of the red-haired saloon Andrew Prine V, V Andrew Lewis Prine (born February 14, 1936) is an American film, stage, and television actor. Macks wife, Etta Sarah Jessee, had been a cowgirl. The series ran from 1955 until 1975, and was one of the longest running prime-time shows on television. He dropped the u from his name at the urging of his theater coach. Louie Pheeters 223 Episodes 1975. With a surprising amount of pragmatism. He won many awards for his work on the series, including the Emmy Award for Best Actor. But Strange had actually been on the show since 1959. (Of course, in the patchwork scene, they said he died.) On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. Although she was the lead in Gunsmoke, Blake was not the shows first lead. When western movie demand grew scarce in the 1950s, Strange began acting in western television shows. There was a time when the answer was generally "recast and keep going, we've got ad time to fill." Sadly, in 2014, Herrmann had passed away at the age of 71 as a result of brain cancer. Gunsmoke was the classic Western tale of a troubled town that needed someone to make sure that law and order was enforced. However, later in the series, viewers were told that Granger had passed away, having died peacefully under a tree after leaving to try to atone for his many missteps raising his daughter. But how? In 1975, two years after Strange's death, his Gunsmoke costar Buck Taylor named his third son Cooper Glenn Taylor after Strange. He played FESTUS HAGGIN, a sidekick of Marshal Matt Dillon. When the network called for Gunsmoke to shut down business in Dodge City, it was surprising news to its stars and fans alike. In the television series, Matt Dillon was played by actor James Arness. After Monteith's passing, Finn Hudson was memorialized in the Season 5 episode "The Quarterback," which paid tribute to the character without ever spelling out the circumstances surrounding his death. One of his first roles was uncredited as a soldier, in tin armor, as part of "Ming's Army", in the science fiction classic serial "Flash Gordon"(1936/I). Sadly, Noonans death came two years after his co-star, Glenn Strange. During that time, Strange was married twice. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. of Gunsmoke, he is seen to play the fiddle. Did Sam really play fiddle on Gunsmoke? - KnowledgeBurrow.com Monteith's life was both short and difficult. Sadly, John Spencer passed away as the result of a heart attack on December 16, 2005, and the series' creators were forced to figure out a way to resolve his story. Who Played Sam the Bartender on Gunsmoke? - Bartending House Sam McKay played the bartender in the 1960s, a role he held for six years. [citation needed], In 1932, Strange had a minor role as part of the Wrecker's gang in a 12-part serial, The Hurricane Express, starring John Wayne. He was also seen on nearly 100 other TV western episodes of Cisco Kid, Kit Carson, Gene Autry, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Jr., Cheyenne, Sugarfoot, Rawhide, Hopalong Cassidy, Rifleman, Judge Roy Bean, Rin Tin Tin, Sky King, etc. Death. In 1973 Dean would sing at Glenns funeral service. But CBS was moving away from westerns and rural comedies by the mid-1970s. He found success both in front of the camera, as shown by his six-year run on Crossing Jordan, and as a voice actor, playing everything from Aquaman in the '90s Superman cartoon to Death on Adventure Time. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". He also had uncredited roles in the Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp and the Lone Ranger films. He died of lung cancer in 1973. Unfortunately, Colasantodied of a heart condition at age 61 before the show started filming its fourth season. This was, primarily, due to the fact that she had been living in Phoenix and was commuting to Los Angeles for filming. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He had Irish and Cherokee descent through his father. For seven years and over 150 episodes, Edward Herrmann played Gilmore family patriarch Richard Gilmore on Gilmore Girls. They had two daughters, Wynema and Juanita. From the moment he walked out of a horse box in Doctor Who's Season 8 premiere, Roger Delgado made a splash as the villainous Master. She appeared in 425 episodes before wrapping up the show. He portrayed Sam Noonan, a mainstay bartender on "Gunsmoke." He was beloved by many on the show. George Glenn Strange (1899-1973) - Find a Grave Memorial The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". In 1944, while Strange was being made up for an action film at Universal, make-up artist Jack Pierce noticed that Strange's facial features and 6'5" height would be appropriate for the role of Frankenstein's monster. Ritter had already finished shooting three episodes of the show's third season when he passed, and they were shown after his death before the series went on hiatus. After Gunsmoke wrapped up, Dillon gifted Bates his signature .45 sidearm. Jump to: Photos (11). If you were mentally cataloging a list of TV shows that might deal with the untimely loss of an actor with dignity and grace, you wouldn't necessarily putRiverdaleat the top. Played Waiter in "Gunsmoke" in 1955. Considering Arness stood at a giant 6-feet 7-inches tall, he likely realized how valuable a great stuntman of that size was. At various times in his life a rancher, deputy sheriff and rodeo performer, this huge, towering (6 5) beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899, but grew up a real-life cowboy in Cross Cut, Texas. There, he played Finn Hudson, the star athlete who joined the glee club and did a whole heap of singing. While Kroger was replaced by a new therapist, Hctor Elizondo's Dr. Neven Bell, his loss was felt deeply. [citation needed], On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. It was he who played the Creature in the cult horror/comedy classic Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) as part of the monstrous trio of Bela Lugosi's Dracula and Lon Chaney Jr.'s Wolf Man.As the "B" western started faded off into the sunset in the 1950s, Strange moseyed on over to TV work. Even the series creator, Buck Taylor, named his third son after him. Because of his role in this movie, John Wayne recommended James Arness for the role of Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke (1955), a role he played for 39 years. Happy trails, Sam. 'Gunsmoke': Glenn Strange Had Some Wild Roles Before the Show Born in May 1938, Bucks career began in the 50s as he got some gigs on TV projects. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. It does not store any personal data. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. TV Deaths That Happened Because The Actor Really Died - Grunge.com As Sam's old baseball coach, he could have easily fallen into the role of father figure for the show's protagonist, but was written instead as an almost childlike character. With Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis, Buck Taylor. But one day, we will know the answer to this riddle that continues to perplex the forces of justice: Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? How Each Gunsmoke Cast Member Died - Facts Verse He was conniving. The Associated Press reported that Blake, who had lived in Phoenix, learned of the cancellation only after the shows 19th season. It was his massive build that helped him break into the Universal horror picture genre of the 1940s. Over a career spanning decades, Hartman played dozens of roles: Troy McClure on The Simpsons, Ranger John "Vicky" Johnson in So I Married An Axe Murderer, Pee-wee's Playhouse's Captain Carl, and countless characters on SNL, to name just a few. Strange also played a monster in the Bowery Boys horror-comedy Master Minds in 1949, mimicking the brain-transplanted Huntz Hall's frantic comedy movements, with Hall providing his own dubbed voice. Within the show, it had already been revealed that his character was dying, potentially as a result of exposure to Agent Orange. did amanda blake wear a wig on gunsmoke - legal-innovation.com His father was a rancher and a bartender. His work on the show is credited to the enduring popularity of the show, and Bates recurring role in the series has become one of its most enduring TV characters. Moreover, he never forgot the role of Dinah Shore and continued to act in her movies. Utilizing clever editing techniques, the production team at the show put together what they described as a "patchwork scene"with unused footage of a scene in which his character fell asleep in court. Glenn Strange stood six feet five inches tall and weighed 220 pounds at his peak. He was sinister. He played Frankenstein in House of Frankenstein in 1944, House of Dracula in 1945, and, just for laughs, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein in 1948. Phil Hartman's tragic death was addressed by NewsRadio in a beautifully balanced manner. Gunsmoke was a radio series that ran from 1952 to 1961. Glenn came to Gunsmoke when he met James Arness in 59. How was Kitty written off Gunsmoke? Gunsmoke (TV Series 1955-1975) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. He played numerous small parts in Paramount's popular Hopalong Cassidy film series, usually cast as a member of an outlaw's gang and occasionally as a local sheriff. The writers on Mad Menoffed his character in Season 2, where they revealed that he had died in the real life American Flight 1 plane crash, a 1962 airline accident that took the lives of everyone on board. He was 29. In later interviews, he said it was in part because he missed his friend. However, it remains one of televisions most beloved shows, seen in syndication around the world. For six seasons, Spencer played Leo McGarry, chief of staff and later counselor to the president for the Bartlett administration. Glenn Strange played Sam the Bartender on Gunsmoke. To make up for the lost role, an actor . When you're dealing with gunfights and bar brawls, you need a solid voice of reason, and that was definitely Sam, who's seen quite a bit. Among other TV roles, he capped off his career with a steady (12 years) role as Sam the bartender on the classic Gunsmoke (1955) series from 1962 until shortly before his death from lung cancer in 1973. He had an insatiable appetite for scenery and a hell of a goatee. Interestingly, his father also served as a bartender while in Cross Cut. Your email address will not be published. Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? In the book, Greenland writes that one time, while Blake was traveling by the networks Big Apple offices, she said, I think Ill go in there and hit Bill Paley over the head with a brickbat.. The original series of Gunsmoke aired from September 1955 until the spring of 1975. Even if you haven't been following the show for the last 55 years, if you watch Doctor Who, you've probably heard of the Brigadier. This led to being Miss Kittys bartender in Gunsmoke. In 1961, he began the small, but regular, role as Sam Noonan the bartender in Miss Kitty's Long Branch Saloon, Dodge City in the TV show, Gunsmoke. He was replaced by Woody Harrelson's character Woody, Coach's old "pen pal," with whom he used to exchange pens in the mail. His last name was Noonan, so he would often quip with his friend Sam about the funniest thing he had seen. Noonan was cast in more than 300 projects throughout his career. How did Sam on Gunsmoke die? He was Until the Simpsons came along, it was the longest-running prime-time series of all time. Galloping onto CBS in 1955, "Gunsmoke" still leads the herd of TV Westerns as one . In 1961, he began the small, but regular, role as Sam Noonan the bartender in Miss Kitty's Long Branch Saloon, Dodge City in the TV show, Gunsmoke. A native New Yorker andex-peanut vendor at Yankee Stadium, he turned to stand-up comedy and later to character acting, despite having no professional theatrical training. Besides that, he greatly resembled Boris Karloff, best known for his Frankensteins monster role, which led to him landing monster movie parts. Festus finally became deputy marshal because Dillon's deputy of nine seasons, Chester, left the show. The series later introduced a Norwegian-German actor named Michael Learned as Dillons ex-lover, and Richard Kiley as Chalk Brighton, a die-hard suitor of Matt Dillon. His declining health forced him to leave the role in 1973. The Long Branch barkeep was also known as Frankenstein's monster in a few Hollywood movies, the Dodge City Daily Globe reports. One of his final performances was as Andrew Campbell, father of Pete, on Mad Men. His characterization of Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke helped set the standard for the series. On the radio, William Conrad played the titular character, Marshall Matt Dillon. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Marcia died of pneumonia in 2013 at age 70. Glenn Strange died of cancer in 1973. He suffered from depression and bipolar disorder, and in 2013, after he failed to show up on set, police were sent on a wellness check. Even though she left the show a season earlier, Amanda Blake wasnt taking the news lightly. James Arness, the towering actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon, the strong and commanding symbol of frontier justice on the landmark TV western series Gunsmoke, died Friday. If you haven't watched Kolchak, you've gotta watch Kolchak. He played the nemesis "Butch Cavendish" and later reprised the role, after a prison escape, on "The Lone Ranger" (1949). It's an unfortunate fact of life. He portrayed Sam Noonan, a mainstay bartender on Gunsmoke.. In 1958, he had a minor part in an episode of John Payne's The Restless Gun, and had an important role in the 1958 episode "Chain Gang" of the Western series 26 Men, true stories about the Arizona Rangers. [2], Strange appeared twice as Jim Wade on Bill Williams's syndicated Western series geared to juvenile audiences The Adventures of Kit Carson. Around 12, he taught himself the fiddle and guitar and began performing in his teenage years. Spoiler alert: Everybody dies. However, it seems Arness harnessed some of that persona in real life, especially with how much he looked out for his stuntman. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Buck Taylor, another of Strange's costars on "Gunsmoke," named his son Cooper Glenn Taylor in honor of Strange. Required fields are marked *. Strange was married from 1937 to his death in 1973 to his second wife, Minnie Thompson (19112004). If you were a fan of the hit TV series GUNSMOKE, you may be curious to learn how did Sam the bartender die. While the series may not be a classic, it embodies the new adult vision of the mythic Old West. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Cory Monteith's brief but astonishing career as an actor saw him starring in movies and TV shows, with appearances on Stargate, Supernatural, and Smallville, among others, before really hitting it big on Glee. He also appeared twice as Blake in the syndicated Western The Cisco Kid. Following his film career he returned to his horse ranch. In short, he was good at being bad. His last episode is Gunsmoke: The Hanging of Newly OBrien (1973), which aired November 26, 1973. Here's where the show's history gets a little tricky. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. George Glenn Strange (August 16, 1899 September 20, 1973) was an American actor who mostly appeared in Western films. She cited the six-hour commute as one of the reasons she decided to leave the series. The cancellation of Gunsmoke came as a surprise to fans, and the cast was unable to put together a farewell episode. His marriage to Minnie Thompson lasted 36 years. Actor Buck Taylor, best known as the gunsmith turned deputy Newly OBrien on Gunsmoke, is 81 years old at the moment and looks as handsome as ever! Strange worked as a cowboy, fought as a profes sional heavyweight and toured with Hoot Gibson's Rodeo be fore entering films as a stunt man. The next week, Bill McNeal's role was filled in by Max Louis, played by Hartman's fellow SNL alum Jon Lovitz. Is Sarah Strange related to Glenn Strange? Fans of the show Monk, however, will undoubtedly remember Kamel as Adrian Monk's longtime therapist, Dr. Charles Kroger. He was Sam the bartender at the Long Branch saloon on GUNSMOKE from 1962 acted as a heavy in over 230 films. Strange was cast twice on Kirby Grant's Western aviation adventure series, Sky King, as Rip Owen in Stage Coach Robbers (1952), and as Link in Dead Giveaway (1958). He portrayed the role almost exclusively until his death in 1973. Although Noonan died of cancer, his death will be mourned by the entire television community. Why Did Doc Leave 'Gunsmoke'? Inside Milburn Stone's Western Role His career spanned 12 years, starting with the B westerns. In addition, Strange and his wife were friends who wrote songs together. The resemblance was so strong, a photo of Stranges Frankensteins monster appeared in Karloffs obituary. Offscreen, however, Young's life was a difficult one. Bates was known for performing dangerous stunts as Marshal Matt Dillon. Whatever show you saw at the end of its 20th season was it, friend. It doesn't just happen to our grandfathers, it happens to the grandfathers of iconic television characters, too. His first wife was Flora Hooper of Duncan, Oklahoma. Maybe Lynne Thigpen's most memorable role, at least for the millennials in the crowd, was as The Chief on Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? It's some weird business. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. When did Sam become the bartender on Gunsmoke? In 2000, the Schiff character was written out of the show to accommodate Hill's resignation /> poems from the outside edges and inside ledges . Reynolds starred in the series for three seasons, and after leaving the show, went on to a successful career as an actor in movies. Small film parts and television appearances followed, but his real return to the spotlight came in 2002 with the premiere of his hit show 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter. This was, primarily, due to the fact that she had been living in Phoenix and was commuting to Los Angeles for filming. After the show ended, Strange went on to pursue a career in photography, which he continued for many years. He died of lung cancer, and Sam Noonan was buried at the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery. Who played Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke? Then, at the start of Season 7, both Monk and the show's viewers were shocked to learn Dr. Kroger had passed away from a heart attack. He played a variety of roles in the series, including a recurring character called Quint Asper. Known for his role as Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke, Glenn Strange passed away nearly 50 years ago. The thieves, all teenagers, have been given a 'work release': two of them work on a farm and the third for the Long Branch Saloon as Sam's helper. Sam, the bartender 213 Episodes 1975. He played Sam the Bartender in CBS' Gunsmoke. At various times in his life a rancher, deputy sheriff and rodeo performer, this huge, towering (6' 5") beast of a man was born George Glenn Strange in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899, but grew up a real-life cowboy in Cross Cut, Texas. He was an Irishman and Cherokee and was a close relative of Rex Allen. //-->. On September 20, 1973, at age 74, Strange died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, California. The more nerd-inclined readers might know Stanley Kamel from his appearance on Star Trek: The Next Generation. His absence on the show led the creators to make sure that all three characters were written out. In 1961, he began the small, but regular, role as Sam Noonan the bartender in Miss Kittys Long Branch Saloon, Dodge City in the TV show, Gunsmoke. He held his notable bartending role for 12 years before passing away from lung cancer on September 20, 1973. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A stunt double for James Arness on the hit TV show Gunsmoke, Ben Bates appeared on the hit western series for 25 years. He Sams last name was Noonan. She was ready to give CBS President William Paley a piece of her mind. Festus offers to give the man a ride, but he refuses, draws his gun, and shoots Festus. The actor who portrayed Sam Noonan was a big star, despite his small role. In fact, his portrayal of the character became so iconic that, due to an editing error, his face was printed next to Boris Karloff's obituary in newspapers across the country. Glenn Strange - Wikipedia While this was probably Susi's most prolific role, she had a long, fascinating career as a television and movie actress, starting with a recurring role on Kolchak: The Night Stalker all the way back in 1974. google_ad_type = "text_image"; The regulars who are still with us are: Roger Ewing (Thad Greenwood), who is 73; Buck Taylor (Newly O'Brien), who is 77; and Burt Reynolds (Quint Asper), who is 79. Glenn Strange was born in Weed, New Mexico, on August 16, 1899. By the time he was 12, he was performing at cowboy dances. His role as Sam Noonan lasted until the shows cancellation in 1973. Amanda Blake's Death Was AIDS-Related, Doctor Says - AP News document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved In the 1940s, he had success as an actor in the horror film The Mad Monster for Producers Releasing Corporation. When did Sam become the bartender on Gunsmoke? Instead, they rewrote the ending with McGarry dying on election night and Santos becoming president. (AP) _ Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the long-running Gunsmoke television series, died of AIDS-related complications, not cancer as previously reported, her doctor said Monday. Blake, who portrayed the saloon owner in CBSs popular western TV series, left one season before the show ended. Strange was Butch Cavendish, the outlaw that bushwhacks the Texas Rangers in the opening three-parter of the LONE RANGER TV show. Though Andrew Campbell only appeared in one episode of the show, his presence was certainly felt. Strange died on Sept. 20, 1973. He appeared in 604 episodes and scuffled with other co-stars in a friendly manner. He'd been on over 200 episodes of Gunsmoke when he passed, and the character of Sam died with him. His role on the show was a classic, and he had an outstanding career. The world was shocked by the sudden death of John Ritter in 2003. He is buried at the Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery. Cast members read about the cancellation in an Associated Press story. How Much Do Bartenders in Las Vegas Make? Why did Sam the bartender leave Gunsmoke? He was seen (or glimpsed) in many of the popular serials of the day, including The Hurricane Express (1932), Law of the Wild (1934),The Lone Ranger Rides Again (1939), and Riders of Death Valley (1941). In the film, she is a former animal activist, who fought to raise awareness of the disease. When he suffered a fatal heart attack in 1957, he'd been playing Gramps on TV's Lassie for over 100 episodes. Beginning in 1949, he portrayed Butch Cavendish, the villain responsible for killing all of the Texas Rangers except one in the long-running television series The Lone Ranger. Other notable cast members included Georgia Ellis, who played Kitty, and Parley Bear, who played Deputy Chester. In Dodge, the man draws a lot of attention, because the citizens recognize Ruth. This is a odd coincidence as his father was a bartender in real-life back in Cross Cut. There's a lot you can count on your grandpa to do. Arness second wife, Janet Surtrees, is still married to him. Anyone can read what you share. In the original radio series, William Conrad voiced the role of Marshal Matt Dillon. google_ad_channel =""; John Ritter was a beloved television icon by the time he was 29 thanks to his role as Jack Tripper on the classic TV sitcom Three's Company. Despite very small differences in opinion, the cast had remained friendly during the shows run. What are you going to do? The Real Reason Chester Was Written Off Gunsmoke. In the 1950s he played the outlaw Cavendish in the Lone Ranger TV series. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Gunsmoke: The Other Hard Living Folks in Dodge City Arness created and shaped the character, making him both a quick draw and incorruptible. Strange could barely walk straight after the day's shooting. During his pre-teen years, he played guitar and fiddle. Gunsmoke (TV Series 1955-1975) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb He even performed at cowboy dances. Arness was born James Aurness in Minneapolis on May 26, 1923. In addition to starring in many popular television series, Bates played many recurring roles including the bartender Sam Jones on Gunsmoke and as a cowboy on Dragnet. Subscribe to our newsletter for new stories, tips & events. They persevered, and the sad saga was broadcast. George Cleveland was part of a generation of actors who got their start in vaudeville and lived long enough to make it to television. In a 1985 interview with the Chicago Tribune, the publication lists that 6-hour drive to Hollywood as the reason why her tenure wrapped up in 1974. Although Arness was not involved in the production of the show, he said that Reynolds had a successful career and continued to appear in several other television shows.