Roger Ewing, known for his role as Deputy Marshal Thad Greenwood in the popular television Western “Gunsmoke,” passed away on December 18, 2025, in Morro Bay, California. He was 83 years old.
Born on January 12, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, Ewing’s tall stature and earnest demeanor made him a memorable figure in an era filled with classic television Westerns. His introduction to acting came in high school when he portrayed Chester in a variety show parody of “Gunsmoke,” a show he regularly watched every Saturday night.
After a year in college and a stint as a lifeguard, Ewing shifted his focus to acting. His first appearance on screen was an uncredited role in the 1964 film “Ensign Pulver.” That same year, he started appearing in guest roles on popular television shows like “Bewitched,” “The Baileys of Balboa,” “The Bing Crosby Show,” and “Rawhide.” He also had a role in the film “None But the Brave.”
Ewing’s first appearance on “Gunsmoke” was in February 1965, portraying a character named Ben Lukens. His performance impressed the producers enough to invite him back in a different role. Later that year, in October, he was introduced as Thad Greenwood, a deputy marshal who became a regular character on the CBS series.
Ewing was just 23 when he joined the cast of “Gunsmoke,” bringing a fresh and hopeful perspective to the show. His character came to Dodge City as the deputy and son of an elderly Oklahoma sheriff, chasing four vandals who had caused his father’s fatal heart attack. After resolving the case, Marshal Dillon invited Thad to stay on as a deputy.
Ewing’s casting was a crucial moment for “Gunsmoke,” as he replaced Burt Reynolds in the “younger actor” slot. Amid tensions between lead actor James Arness and CBS over salary and the show’s ownership, producers considered Ewing as a possible replacement for Arness if negotiations fell through.
The disputes brought “Gunsmoke” to the brink of cancellation during a period of unusually low ratings. Once Arness and the network settled their differences, Thad Greenwood’s character was gradually phased out. Ewing appeared in more than 50 episodes from 1965 to 1967, spending two seasons as a regular cast member.
Buck Taylor later joined the series as Newly O’Brien, taking over Ewing’s role. Taylor stayed with “Gunsmoke” until its cancellation in 1975 after 20 seasons.
During his acting career, Ewing was considered for the role of Joe Buck in “Midnight Cowboy” in 1969, but the part ultimately went to Jon Voight. He also appeared on a 1968 episode of “The Dating Game,” where he was not chosen by future “Bionic Woman” star Lindsay Wagner.
Following his departure from “Gunsmoke,” Ewing continued to act, with roles on shows like “The Mothers-in-Law” and “Death Valley Days.” He also appeared in the films “Smith!” in 1969 and “Play It as It Lays” in 1972. He once noted that his tall, lanky appearance often led to him being cast as “a gangling misfit who looked tall and dumb.”
In 1972, Ewing left acting to pursue a photography career. This new endeavor led him on extensive travels throughout Europe, Russia, Mexico, and the South Pacific.
Ewing resided in Morro Bay, California, where he became involved in local politics. In 2003, he ran for a city council seat, showing his commitment to civic engagement in his later years. Ewing never married and had no children.
Upon hearing of his death, Ewing’s friends remembered him fondly. Linda Brady, a close friend, said, “Roger brought many of his own characteristics to the role of Thad Greenwood on the epic western ‘Gunsmoke.’ Shy, quiet, funny, and endearingly optimistic, Roger, as Thad Greenwood, will live on, forever young, in ‘Gunsmoke’ reruns throughout the world.”
His work on the show continues to reach new audiences through reruns and streaming platforms, ensuring his legacy in television history remains intact.