There’s something to be said about the enduring legacy ofGunsmoke, the Western that became an institution on both radio and television, and a big part of that includes the late actor, Burt Reynolds. Created by director Norman Macdonnell and writer John Meston, the radio series ran from 1952 to 1961 and theGunsmokeshow ran for 20 yearson CBS, from 1955 to 1975. It was a feat unheard of for live-action prime-time television until the record was finally broken by NBC’sLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, which premiered in 1999 and is still active 25 years later.
The wildly successfulGunsmokefollows U.S. Marshall Matt Dillon as he fights for justice in 1870’s Dodge City, Kansas. Dillon was played by actor James Arness, who was joined by an ensemble of previously established stars rounding outtheGunsmokecast, including Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Dennis Weaver, Glenn Strange, Buck Taylor, and Ted Jordan. When Burt Reynolds joined the cast in season 8, he was essentially an unknown, but he quickly stole the show.
Burt Reynolds Played Quint Asper in Gunsmoke
Quint Was A Blacksmith & Part-Time Deputy Marshall
Burt Reynolds first appears as Quint Asper inGunsmokeseason 8, episode 3, “Quint Asper Comes Home”. A blacksmith by trade, Quinn is half-white, half-Comanche. Quint is introduced as a member of his mother Topsanah’s (Angela Clarke) tribe, who kills white people. However, upon meeting Matt Dillon, Quint eventually befriends him after it’s revealed the blacksmith is trying to avenge his father’s death. Matt helps Quint integrate into white society, and eventually, Quint becomes a part-time Deputy Marshall.
Season 8, Episode 3 - “Quint Asper Comes Home”
Season 10, Episode 26 - “Bank Baby”
Reynolds' casting and entireGunsmokestoryline would likely never happen today. While Reynolds claimed he had Cherokee roots, nothing was ever verified, with many suspecting him of bluffing (viaThe Independent). Whitewashing was certainly common in Hollywood duringGunsmoke’s run, and is still practiced today, though series likeReservation Dogsare helping to cast actual Indigenous actors in Indigenous roles. And despite the whitewashing, Reynolds still shone in the role of Quint Asper, appearing in 50 episodes before departing inGunsmokeseason 10.
Reynolds' costar James Arness had nothing but good things to say about him, saying that he was “great to work with” and that they became “wonderful friends” after Reynolds' departure. However, the Matt Dillon actor could see that Reynolds wasn’t able to reach his full acting potential inGunsmoke, tellingThe Television Academy,
“When [Burt] came in and took on this character, they had a little trouble. We had [a few departures and] added a couple of characters in the meantime, it was hard. You can tell very quickly that Burt was a guy who had a great presence…One of the things we’ve learned in later years is his great comedic skills and he was not able to bring that to [Quint] at all. He had to be very serious.”
Reynolds Left Gunsmoke Because His Movie Career Was Taking Off
His Co-Star Milburn Stone Encouraged Reynolds To Leave The Show
James Harness wasn’t the onlyGunsmokeactor who felt the show was holding Reynolds back. During aGunsmokesummer hiatus, Reynolds had shot a movie, and upon returning to the show, was confronted by his co-star, Milburn Stone, who played Doc Adams. Bluntly, Stone told Reynolds, “Your movies are taking off — get out of here” (viaCowboys and Indians) Reynolds asked with “Don’t you like me?”, and shared Stone’s response:
He said, total gentleman that he was, “I love your work. But it’s time to think about your movie career.” I knew he was the smartest guy on the set — I always thought that. He was so wonderful. So I quit.
Before pursuing that film career, Reynolds was still active on TV with appearances onFlipper, and The F.B.I.and a starring role inHawk. He scored memorable film roles inNavajo Joe(1966), and a slew of releases in 1969 including100 Rifles, Sam Whiskey, Impasse, andShark. ButReynolds’ light shone even brighter the following decade withDeliverance(1972),The Longest Yard(1974),Silent Movie(1976), and of course,Smokey and the Bandit(1977). Reynolds also saw success in the 1980s, particularly withthe iconicThe Cannonball Run(1981).
The rest, as they say, is history with Reynolds' Emmy win in 1991 for his CBS sitcom,Evening Shadeand 1998 Oscar nomination for the controversial Paul Thomas Anderson filmBoogie Nightsas the ambitious pornographer Jack Horner, who discovers Mark Wahlberg’s Dirk Diggler and makes him an adult films superstar. Reynolds passed away in 2018 at the age of 82, and as anyone can see from his filmography, left an iconic cinematic legacy behind.
Gunsmoke
Cast
Set in the American West, Gunsmoke follows Marshal Matt Dillon as he maintains law and order in Dodge City, Kansas. This Western drama explores the challenges of frontier justice and the complex relationships between settlers, outlaws, and Native Americans during the settlement period.
