How much money did ken curtis make on gunsmoke?

Answered on : 2024-07-11

Sources

Ken Curtis Net Worth $4 Million - Famous People Today

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How Much Did Ken Curtis Make Per Episode On Gunsmoke

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Ken Curtis' Gunsmoke Per Episode Salary Revealed

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Ken Curtis, best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the TV series "Gunsmoke," earned a significant income from his work on the show. Here's a breakdown of his earnings per episode during his tenure:

- **Early Years:** In the initial years of his appearance on "Gunsmoke," Ken Curtis reportedly earned around $1,200 per episode[2].

- **Later Years:** As the show's popularity surged, his salary increased considerably. By the 1970s, Curtis's earnings had grown to about $2,500 per episode[2].

This compensation made him one of the higher-paid actors on television at the time, reflecting both his importance to the show and its success. Despite these figures being modest compared to today's TV salaries, they were quite substantial during the 1960s and 1970s.

### Additional Information

- **Net Worth:** At the time of his death in 1991, Ken Curtis had an estimated net worth of $4 million[1].

- **Career Highlights:** Besides "Gunsmoke," Curtis had a successful singing career and acted in various movies and TV series, including "The Horse Soldiers," "The Searchers," and "Ripcord"[1].

These details provide a comprehensive look at Ken Curtis's financial achievements from his iconic role in "Gunsmoke."