Gunsmoke first aired on radio in 1952 and then transitioned to television in 1955 where it became one of the longest-running Western series in TV history with 20 seasons and 635 episodes. The show was known for its realistic portrayal of life in the Wild West and was praised for its mature themes and character development.
In addition to Marshall Matt Dillon, the show featured a cast of recurring characters such as his sidekick Chester (Dennis Weaver), the saloon owner Miss Kitty (Amanda Blake), and the doctor Galen Adams (Milburn Stone).
The show tackled a range of topics such as racism, poverty, and alcoholism and was praised for confronting social issues in a time when many shows shied away from controversy. Gunsmoke also featured a number of notable guest stars throughout its run, including Burt Reynolds, Harry Dean Stanton, and Harrison Ford.
Even after the show ended in 1975, its legacy lived on through television reruns and movies. In 1987, a made-for-television movie reunion was produced that brought back many of the original cast members, and a second film followed in 1990. Today, Gunsmoke is remembered as a classic of the Western genre and as an important milestone in television history.