Roger Ewing - A Look At His Acting Days

For many who appreciate the early days of television, especially those classic Western shows, a name like Roger Ewing probably brings to mind some fond memories. He was a presence on the screen, someone who helped bring stories to life during what some might call a golden period for TV. His contributions helped shape a part of that era, and for quite a few people, his work remains a clear highlight from back then.

Roger Ewing, an actor from America, spent a good bit of his time performing, you know, in front of cameras. He took on the part of Thad Greenwood in that very well-known program, Gunsmoke. But his work wasn't just on the small screen; he also showed up in movies, things like "Ensign Pulver" and "Play It As It Lays." He started his acting journey in 1964, actually, which is quite a path for someone to take.

After some years, in 1972, he decided to step away from performing, which is quite a change for someone who had been in the public eye. Later, he took up photography as a new pursuit. His career, in a way, shows how people can shift what they do over time, moving from one creative outlet to another, which is pretty interesting, if you think about it.

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Roger Ewing - A Life in Pictures and on Screen

Roger Ewing, whose full name is Roger Lawrence Ewing, was born on January 12, 1942, in Los Angeles, California, in the United States. This city, as you might know, is very much connected to the entertainment business, so it makes a lot of sense that someone born there might find their way into acting. He grew up, it seems, with the idea of being a part of this world all around him. In some respects, it's almost like a natural progression for someone from that area.

His early life, you know, led him to the acting profession, where he would become known for a particular part. He began his acting work in 1964. Before he got to his most recognized part, he spent some time appearing in smaller guest roles on different shows. These included programs like "Bewitched," "The Bing Crosby Show," and "Rawhide." These early appearances, in a way, helped him gain experience and get a feel for being on television, which is pretty common for actors just starting out, you know.

He is a person who is perhaps still most recognized for his depiction of Clayton Thaddeus ‘Thad’ Greenwood in the Western series “Gunsmoke.” That show was on the air for a long time, from 1955 to 1975, and it had James as one of its main people. Roger Ewing, in fact, became quite popular and is often mentioned as one of the more well-off TV actors from that time, which is something to consider, really.

Personal Details About Roger Ewing

Full NameRoger Lawrence Ewing
Date of BirthJanuary 12, 1942
Place of BirthLos Angeles, California, United States
NationalityAmerican
Known ForActor, Photographer
Most Recognized RoleThad Greenwood in Gunsmoke

What Was Roger Ewing's Big Break on Television?

The role that really put Roger Ewing on the map, so to speak, was his part as Thad Greenwood in the Western series "Gunsmoke." This show was a very big deal during its run, and being a part of it meant being seen by many, many people. It was, in a way, a significant step for him in his performing work. His involvement with such a widely watched program certainly helped shape how people remember his time in front of the camera, you know, which is pretty clear.

It's interesting to think about how he got involved with the show. Roger Ewing was, in fact, a fan of "Gunsmoke" himself when he was in high school, according to reports from The Tennessean. Years later, when he was 22 years old, he got cast on the program. His first appearances were as a guest performer, which is often how people get their foot in the door on established shows. This shows a bit of a full circle moment, really, going from watching something to being a part of it, which is kind of neat, if you ask me.

His work as Thad Greenwood began when the character was brought into the show during its eleventh season. This was a notable time for the series, and his addition brought a new element to the stories being told. He quickly became a lead part, which is a big deal for any performer joining a program that has been on the air for a while. It speaks to how well he fit into the cast and how his presence resonated with those watching, you know, which is something to consider.

How Did Roger Ewing's Time on Gunsmoke Unfold?

Roger Ewing's time on "Gunsmoke" was quite a journey, you know. He played Thad Greenwood, a central part, for two seasons before he decided to leave the program. During his time there, from 1965 to 1967, he earned good remarks from those who watched and those who wrote about television. This was before the show was, for a short time, announced as being done in 1967. So, he was there during a period of a bit of uncertainty for the program, which is kind of interesting.

The show's path, however, took an unexpected turn. After the announcement that "Gunsmoke" would be taken off the air, it was put back on. This happened thanks to William S. Paley, who was the chairman of the board at CBS at the time. This sort of thing doesn't happen very often, so it shows just how much people wanted the program to continue. Roger Ewing, you know, was a part of the program during these very notable events in its long history, which is quite a thing to be remembered for, really.

He appeared in 52 episodes of "Gunsmoke" before the initial news of its ending in 1967. His portrayal of Thad Greenwood was remembered for being a part-time deputy marshal, a role he played in 36 episodes between October 2, 1965, and September 25, 1967. This makes his contribution to the long-running CBS Western quite specific, and it helps people remember the exact period he was a regular on the show, you know, which is pretty clear.

Roger Ewing - Beyond the Western Frontier

While "Gunsmoke" is certainly what most people think of when they hear Roger Ewing's name, his acting work wasn't limited to just that one show or even just television Westerns. He had other roles, showing his ability to take on different kinds of parts. As mentioned, he was in films like "Ensign Pulver" and "Play It As It Lays," which suggests a bit of a different creative direction for him at those times, you know, which is pretty common for actors to explore various avenues.

His early career, starting in 1964, involved those smaller guest spots on shows like "Bewitched," which was a comedy with a bit of magic, and "The Bing Crosby Show," which was a variety program. These experiences, in a way, would have given him a broad understanding of how different types of television productions worked. It's almost like a training ground for a performer, getting to try out different styles and characters, which is really valuable, as a matter of fact.

The fact that he appeared in these various programs and films before, during, and perhaps even after his time as Thad Greenwood shows that he was a working actor, taking on different opportunities as they came. This kind of varied experience is quite common in the acting world, where people often move from one type of project to another, which is pretty much how things go for many in that field, you know.

Did Roger Ewing Find Another Calling After Acting?

Yes, Roger Ewing did indeed find another calling after his acting days. He made the decision to step away from performing in 1972. This kind of change, moving from one profession to a completely different one, is something that many people do in their lives, but it can be quite a significant shift, especially when you've been in the public eye. It shows a willingness to explore other interests and pursuits, which is kind of inspiring, really.

After he retired from being an actor, he took up photography as his new line of work. This is a very different kind of creative field, one where you capture moments and scenes through a lens rather than performing in front of one. It suggests a different way of expressing creativity, perhaps a more solitary one, which is quite a contrast to the collaborative nature of acting, you know, which is pretty interesting.

This move from acting to photography highlights a different side of Roger Ewing. It shows that he had other talents and passions beyond what he was known for on screen. Many people who work in creative fields often have multiple interests, and sometimes those interests become their main focus later in life. It's almost like a natural progression for some, finding new ways to engage with the world, which is quite common, you know.

Roger Ewing - A Name Remembered in TV History

Roger Ewing's name, you know, still resonates with people who are fans of classic television. He is remembered for his contributions to what many call the "golden era" of TV Westerns. This period of television history is very important to many viewers, and being a part of it means that his work continues to be seen and appreciated by new generations, which is pretty neat, if you ask me.

His portrayal of Thad Greenwood in "Gunsmoke" is, without a doubt, what he is best known for. This role helped to shape the show and, in a way, became a part of the cultural fabric of that time. When people think of "Gunsmoke," they often think of the characters who made it so special, and Thad Greenwood, played by Roger Ewing, is certainly one of those memorable figures, which is pretty clear, you know.

The fact that "Gunsmoke" ran for such a long time – from 1955 to 1975 – means that many people grew up watching it. Roger Ewing's involvement, even for a few seasons, meant that he became a familiar face to a wide audience. This kind of lasting presence in popular culture is something that only a few performers achieve, and it speaks to the impact of his work on the program, which is quite a thing to consider, really.

What Made Roger Ewing's Portrayal So Memorable?

What made Roger Ewing's portrayal of Thad Greenwood so memorable likely came from a mix of things, you know. He played a lead part in "Gunsmoke" for two seasons, which means he had a good amount of screen time to develop the character. Being a part-time deputy marshal, as Thad was, gave him a specific kind of role within the show's setting, allowing him to interact with the other characters in ways that resonated with viewers, which is pretty important for a long-running series.

His work on the show, from 1965 to 1967, earned him good remarks. This suggests that his acting was well-received by those who watched and reviewed the program. When an actor can bring a character to life in a way that feels real and connects with the audience, that's often what makes a portrayal stick in people's minds. It's almost like he just fit into the world of Dodge City, which is kind of what you want for a Western, really.

The context of "Gunsmoke" itself also played a big part. It was a very popular Western series, known for its stories and its cast. Being a part of such a well-liked program naturally means that the characters within it, including Thad Greenwood, would gain a lot of recognition. So, in a way, Roger Ewing's talent combined with the show's wide appeal helped to make his role a lasting one in the minds of many viewers, which is pretty clear.

Roger Ewing - The Path from Screen to Lens

Roger Ewing's decision to move from acting to photography shows a rather interesting shift in his creative path. From being in front of the camera, embodying different characters, he moved to being behind the camera, capturing images of the world. This transition, you know, from performer to observer, is quite a change of pace and focus, which is something to think about, really.

It's not uncommon for people in the entertainment business to have other artistic interests. Photography, in particular, allows for a different kind of storytelling, one that relies on visual composition and light rather than dialogue and movement. This new pursuit suggests that Roger Ewing found another way to engage with the world creatively after his acting career came to a close in 1972, which is pretty neat.

His life path, in a way, tells a story of someone who explored different forms of expression. From the bright lights of a television set to the quiet focus of a photographer's studio, Roger Ewing's journey shows that there are many ways to be creative and contribute to the world of images and stories. It's almost like he just kept finding new ways to be involved with visual arts, which is pretty cool, if you ask me.

Roger Ewing: What Happened to the Deputy Marshal From 'Gunsmoke'? in

Roger Ewing: What Happened to the Deputy Marshal From 'Gunsmoke'? in

ROGER EWING HAND SIGNED 8x10 PHOTO ACTOR AUTOGRAPHED GUNSMOKE RARE COA

ROGER EWING HAND SIGNED 8x10 PHOTO ACTOR AUTOGRAPHED GUNSMOKE RARE COA

Roger Ewing: Personal Life, Career & Net Worth 2024 2023 - Net Worth Planet

Roger Ewing: Personal Life, Career & Net Worth 2024 2023 - Net Worth Planet

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