did dennis weaver really have a limp

The production made sure that all three characters (Dillon, Chester, and Festus . Print. They went ahead and started casting the other parts, so he ended up being the first one officially chosen for the series. Dennis Weaver Added Limp To 'Chester' For 'Gunsmoke' Weaver, appearing on a DVD commentary about "Gunsmoke," said he came up with the idea of giving Chester his famous limp. . He must have been in fantastic physical condition, even though Weaver sometimes forgot to limp and sometimes it was one leg or the other. He competed in the decathlon and came . Dennis Weaver didn't really have a country accent and believed that this . Weaver said he regretted this suggestion since walking with a limp was terrible for him. "I'd done the show for nine years, and I just felt that if I didn't get away from the . William Dennis Weaver (June 4, 1924 - February 24, 2006) was an American actor and former president of the Screen Actors Guild, best known for his work in television and films from the early 1950s until just before his death in 2006.Weaver's two most famous roles were as Marshal Matt Dillon's trusty partner Chester Goode/Proudfoot on the CBS western Gunsmoke and as Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud . She was a figure roller-skater and wore one of her skating outfits to the dance. Childhood & Early Life. Dennis Weaver. THE MEET-CUTE. After nine years as Chester, who he played with a stiff-legged gait, he was earning $9,000 a week. Print. Source: CBS. . While it was also rumored that Dennis chose the limp to accompany his country accent, to make him stand out. THE MEET-CUTE. One hour in a church changed the life of actor Dennis Weaver, star of the TV series, "McCloud.". Festus finally became deputy marshal because Dillon's deputy of nine seasons, Chester, left the show. Did Chester on Gunsmoke really have a bad leg? February 28, 2006. Chester had a stiff-legged limp from a wound in the War Between the State. Copy. Dennis Weaver, the New Mexico deputy who solved New York crime in TV show McCloud and the slow-witted deputy Chester Goode in the TV classic western Gunsmoke has died. He ended up regretting this decision because it can't be that easy limping week after week. Dennis Weaver owned that role. Actor Dennis Weaver dies at age 81; photos (M) From 1973 to 1975, Mr. Weaver was president of the Screen Actors Guild. Did Chester on Gunsmoke really have a bad leg? 1. When the pair danced their way into each other's direct line of sight, Dennis gave "a powerful whirl" that kicked up her skirt, revealing a pair of legs that took Weaver's breath away. His last episode, titled "Bently," saw Chester leave Dodge City, Kan. to find a murderer following a suspicious deathbed confession. He was told to distinguish his character from Dillon, so he decided that a limp would be a unique character trait to make Chester stand out. His father was of English, Irish, Scottish, Cherokee, and Osage descent. When the pair danced their way into each other's direct line of sight, Dennis gave "a powerful whirl" that kicked up her skirt, revealing a pair of legs that took Weaver's breath away. He then moved to Manteca, California, for a brief period. Dennis Weaver, who played Chester, started his program and had to leave Gunsmoke. Dennis Weaver, 81, the ruggedly handsome, Emmy Award-winning actor who played the loyal Deputy Chester Goode in the CBS series "Gunsmoke" and later was the Stetson-wearing . Died on the same day and at the same age as Don Knotts. Dennis Weaver didn't really have a country accent and believed that this . It caused him to give up drinking and to take life more calmly, "More out of curiosity than anything else, I stopped into this little church on Hollywood's Sunset Boulevard one Sunday morning in 1959," he says. . I've seen him come down a steep gully mostly hopping on this good leg. While it was also rumored that Dennis chose the limp to accompany his country accent, to make him stand out. Gunsmoke's Dennis Weaver, immortalized as Chester Goode, was also a proud environmentalist in life - leading to his incredible "earthship" home.. Dennis Weaver would pass after a long battle with cancer in 2006 at 81-years-old. Best Answer. "The reason I got away from 'Gunsmoke' was that I wanted to leave the second banana role," Weaver said to the Toronto newspaper. However, Weaver ultimately regretted giving Chester the limp as it was so much hard work. Ken Curtis, a singer and actor who played the scruffy deputy Festus on the television series " Gunsmoke ," died in his sleep on Sunday at his home. However, Weaver ultimately regretted giving Chester the limp as it was so much hard work. Times Staff Writer. There were multiple famous guest stars. He was 74 years old. When a show is on the air for 20 years, it's bound to leave its mark on the world. After nine years as Chester, who he played with a stiff-legged gait, he was earning $9,000 a week. You also get . Festus was his replacement. Dennis Weaver came up with Chester's limp He was told to distinguish his character from Dillon, so he decided that a limp would be a unique character trait to make Chester stand out. . Died on the same day and at the same age as Don Knotts. Dennis Weaver, the lanky actor with the gentle drawl who came to fame in the 1950s playing Marshal Matt Dillon's limping deputy, Chester, on "Gunsmoke" and later . However, Weaver ultimately regretted giving Chester the limp as it was so much hard work. People tuning in week after week to the Western could then tell that Chester, in a way, was his own man. Weaver sometimes forgot to limp, and he sometimes limped on the wrong leg. He was a struggling actor in Hollywood in 1955, earning $60 a week delivering flowers when he was offered $300 a week for a role in a new CBS television series, Gunsmoke (1955). Dennis Weaver, the actor best known for his roles in TV westerns and as an environmental activist . For several seasons Dennis Weaver (Chester Goode) had been unhappy with his role in Gunsmoke. The Chester character was a bit of a phenomenon back in the 50s and Weaver decided he was meant for starring roles. To create a more fitting character, Dennis Weaver began portraying Chester Goode with a limp and speaking in a Midwestern twang—a decision that would ultimately help steer his decision to leave the series. Weaver sometimes forgot to limp, and he sometimes limped on the wrong leg. He ended up regretting this decision because it can't be that easy limping week after week. While it was also rumored that Dennis chose the limp to accompany his country accent, to make him stand out. Dennis Weaver stated that he seemed more like a leading man than a sidekick. His role as a deputy was a sidekick to Arness. Dennis Weaver came up with Chester's limp He was told to distinguish his character from Dillon, so he decided that a limp would be a unique character trait to make Chester stand out. Dennis Weaver was the first actor cast. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Dennis Weaver, the slow-witted deputy Chester Goode in the TV classic western "Gunsmoke" and the New Mexico deputy solving New York crime in "McCloud," has died . Article continues below advertisement. The merits of each character/actor can be debated forever, both . Actor Dennis Weaver and his wife, Gerry, pictured in their home in Ridgway in October of 1995. . Gunsmoke was part of that episode. James Arness offered some thoughts to Dennis Weaver as he was leaving "Gunsmoke" for his own TV show. A portion of that interview appeared in an article on Weaver's death in The Los Angeles Times. Did Chester really have a . AKA William Dennis Weaver. He came up with the limp as a way to make him more like a sidekick. For several years, William lived in Shreveport, Louisiana. When Dennis Weaver landed the role of Chester Goode, it was apparent that he was leading man material. William Dennis Weaver was born on June 4, 1924, in Joplin, Missouri, to Walter Leon Weaver and his wife, Lenna Leora Prather. The on-screen explanation was that he got it during the Civil War. According to MeTV, the producers told Dennis that "historically and traditionally, a sidekick has always been too old or too fat or too young or too something to get involved in the physical stuff." This was why they asked Dennis to make Chester have a physical handicap. Best Answer. According to Weaver, looking back, he figured, "It wouldn't have . Leaving a series as popular as Gunsmoke was not an easy decision, but for Dennis Weaver, he knew his time as Chester Goode had run its course. Dennis Weaver came up with Chester's limp. People tuning in week after week to the Western could then tell that Chester, in a way, was his own man. His death was attributed to natural causes, said A. C. Lyle, a producer at Paramount Studios. The switch happened in season nine, in the episode "The Prairie Wolfer.". Another explanation could be that Weaver was about six foot two and producers wanted him to appear much shorter than the six-foot-seven James Arness, who played Matt Dillon. Dennis Weaver simply did it - he refused to wear any kind of device on the leg in fear that if he were to fall from a horse or something the leg could be injured if he couldn't . "The reason I got away from 'Gunsmoke' was that I wanted to leave the second banana role," Weaver said to the Toronto …. Dennis Weaver didn't really have a country accent and believed that this . In 1986 he received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Dennis and Weaver met at a Joplin Junior College sock-hop in 1942. Here are some things you may not have known about the iconic show. Weaver sometimes . He replaced Dennis Weaver, who played Chester Goode before leaving the show after nine years. Weaver, who died on Feb. 24, 2006, at 81 years old, told The Toronto Star about his reasoning in a 1987 interview. Copy. She was a figure roller-skater and wore one of her skating outfits to the dance. Weaver said on the DVD commentary that he knew they were leaning towards James Arness for Marshal Matt Dillon, but he was in the Bahamas at the time filming a movie with John Wayne. Dennis Weaver Added Limp To 'Chester' For 'Gunsmoke' Weaver, appearing on a DVD commentary about "Gunsmoke," said he came up with the idea of giving Chester his famous limp. Dennis and Weaver met at a Joplin Junior College sock-hop in 1942. He ended up regretting this decision because it can't be that easy limping week after week. Others claim that actor Dennis Weaver used the limp and his twang to draw more attention to himself. He was a struggling actor in Hollywood in 1955, earning $60 a week delivering flowers when he was offered $300 a week for a role in a new CBS television series, Gunsmoke (1955). Born: 4-Jun-1924 Birthplace: Joplin, MO Died: 24-Feb-2006 Location of death: Ridgeway, CO Cause of death: Cancer - unspecified Remains: C. Military service: US Navy Dennis Weaver grew up on a Missouri farm, and was an outstanding athlete on his college track and field team. Did Chester on Gunsmoke really have a bad leg? Kirk, Spock, Bones, and Scotty from Star Trek all appeared on the show. Actor Dennis Weaver (who played TV Chester) decided to exit the series after nine seasons to pursue other opportunities. Others claim that actor Dennis Weaver used the limp and his twang to draw more attention to himself. He was 81. Dennis Weaver, the lanky actor with the gentle drawl who came to fame in the 1950s playing Marshal Matt Dillon's limping deputy, Chester, on "Gunsmoke" and later . When he had the limp all ready, he went back and showed it to the producer, but the producer just shrugged off his effort with a pale, "That's fine!". The on-screen explanation was that he got it during the Civil War. According to Dennis Weaver, the late actor who played the role of Chester Goode, the producers of the show wanted him to develop a disability to explain why Chester never . The on-screen explanation was that he got it during the Civil War. Dennis Weaver. Fast-forward nine years later of Weaver playing Chester with that limp, and the actor definitely had his regrets. Weaver sometimes . To create a more fitting character, Dennis Weaver began portraying Chester Goode with a limp and speaking in a Midwestern twang—a decision that would ultimately help steer his decision to leave the series. Similarly, what kind of cancer did Dennis Weaver have? Why did Festus replace Chester on Gunsmoke? Times Staff Writer. But in life, the Gunsmoke legend was one of the most accomplished men of his generation.Outside his Emmy, Hollywood Star on the Walk of Fame, and Presidential . 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