Ken Curtis (born Curtis Wain Gates, July 2, 1916 – April 28, 1991) was an American singer and actor best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the CBS western television series Gunsmoke. Although he appeared on Gunsmoke earlier, in other roles, he was first cast in his role in season 8 episode 13, "Us Haggens". His next appearance was Season 9, episode 2 as Kyle Kelly, in "Lover Boy" as a charming drifter who romances an elderly rancher's young wife.
