If you’ve been searching for information about Ken Curtis’s twin brother, you’re not alone. This topic has confused fans of the classic TV show “Gunsmoke” for decades. Let me clear up the mystery once and for all.
Did Ken Curtis Really Have a Twin Brother?
No, Ken Curtis did not have a twin brother. This is a common myth that has spread online, but it’s not supported by historical records, family documents, or reliable sources.
The confusion comes from two main sources that we’ll explore in this article.
Who Was Ken Curtis?
Before we dive into the twin brother mystery, let’s talk about who Ken Curtis actually was.
Ken Curtis was born Curtis Wain Gates on July 2, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado. He became famous for playing Festus Haggen on the Western TV series “Gunsmoke.” But his career was much more than just one role.
Curtis was a talented singer who performed with big bands before becoming an actor. He sang with the Tommy Dorsey band and later joined the Sons of the Pioneers, a popular Western music group. He appeared in many Western films and TV shows throughout his career.
Ken Curtis’s Real Family
So if Ken Curtis didn’t have a twin, who were his real siblings?
According to multiple reliable sources, including genealogy records and biographical information, Ken Curtis had two older brothers: Chester K. Gates (born in 1912) and Carl Melvin Gates (born in 1909).
His parents were Dan Sullivan Gates and Nellie Sneed Gates. His father served as Bent County Sheriff from 1926 to 1931. The family lived above the jail, and Ken’s mother cooked meals for the prisoners.
The Curtis family was musical – his father played the fiddle, his mother played the pump organ, brother Chester played the banjo, and brother Carl sang. This musical household shaped Ken’s future career in entertainment.
Where Did the Twin Brother Story Come From?
The twin brother myth likely started from two main sources:
1. Festus Had a Twin Brother on TV
Ken Curtis’s character, Festus Haggen, had a fictional twin brother in the show “Gunsmoke.”
When Festus first appeared in the episode “Us Haggens,” it was revealed that he had a twin brother named Fergus. In that episode, Festus came to Dodge City to avenge his twin brother’s death.
However, after that one episode, the fact that Festus had a twin was never mentioned again on the show. The writers simply dropped this storyline.
2. His Real Brother Was Named Chester
Here’s where things get even more confusing. Ken Curtis had a real brother named Chester Gates. But Chester was not his twin – he was four years older than Ken.
Some people may have confused his real brother Chester with:
- The fictional twin brother Fergus from the TV show
- The character of Deputy Chester Goode (played by Dennis Weaver), whom Festus replaced on “Gunsmoke”
This combination of facts created the perfect storm for a lasting myth.
What Sources Say About This Mystery
Public records, including birth and census documents, confirm Curtis was not a twin. Wikipedia, IMDb, and genealogy websites all list Ken Curtis as having two older brothers, with no mention of any twin sibling.
Biographical records consistently show Curtis as one of several children in the Gates family but not as a twin.
Some websites and blogs claim Ken Curtis had a twin brother, but these articles don’t provide any evidence from birth certificates, family records, or credible historical sources.
Ken Curtis’s Amazing Career
While the twin brother story is false, Ken Curtis’s real life was fascinating enough without made-up stories.
From Singer to Actor
Curtis started his entertainment career as a singer, not an actor. He temporarily replaced Frank Sinatra as vocalist in Tommy Dorsey’s band in 1941. That’s right – he filled in for Frank Sinatra!
He changed his birth name from Curtis Wain Gates to Ken Curtis at Dorsey’s suggestion, thinking it would be easier for audiences to remember.
The Sons of the Pioneers
Curtis joined the Sons of the Pioneers as a lead singer from 1949 to 1953 and again from 1955 to 1957. During this time, he had hits like “Room Full of Roses” and “(Ghost) Riders in the Sky.”
Acting in Western Films
Curtis appeared in many films directed by John Ford, including “The Searchers,” “The Quiet Man,” “The Horse Soldiers,” and “The Alamo”. He became John Ford’s son-in-law after marrying the director’s daughter, Barbara Ford.
Festus Haggen on Gunsmoke
Curtis joined “Gunsmoke” in 1964 and played Festus until the show ended in 1975. He appeared in 304 episodes during his time on the show.
Curtis took Festus from a somewhat simple character and turned him into a multi-dimensional man who was funny, flawed, and fierce. Audiences loved him.
Why Do These Myths Spread?
You might wonder why false stories like the twin brother myth spread so easily online. Here are some reasons:
- Confusion between fiction and reality – When an actor plays a character for many years, people sometimes mix up the character’s story with the actor’s real life
- Unreliable websites – Some blogs copy information from each other without checking facts
- Similar names – Ken’s real brother was named Chester, which adds to the confusion
- People want interesting stories – A twin brother makes for a more dramatic story than just regular siblings
Ken Curtis’s Later Years and Death
Ken Curtis died on April 28, 1991, in his sleep in Fresno, California, after suffering a heart attack. He was 74 years old. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in the Colorado flatlands.
He left behind a wife, Torrie Connelly, whom he married in 1966. He had two stepchildren from that marriage.
Ken Curtis’s Legacy
Even though Ken Curtis didn’t have a twin brother, his impact on American television and Western entertainment is huge.
A statue of Ken Curtis as Festus stands in Clovis, California, where he lived in his later years. He was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981.
His performances continue to entertain new generations through reruns and streaming services. Many people consider Festus Haggen one of the greatest sidekick characters in television history.
The Bottom Line
To sum up everything we’ve learned:
- Ken Curtis did NOT have a twin brother
- He had two older brothers: Chester Gates and Carl Gates
- His TV character Festus had a fictional twin named Fergus who appeared in only one episode
- The confusion between his real brother Chester, the fictional twin Fergus, and the character Deputy Chester Goode created this lasting myth
When you’re searching for information online, it’s important to check multiple reliable sources. Official records, encyclopedias, and well-established biographies are more trustworthy than blogs that don’t cite their sources.
Ken Curtis’s real life story – from ranch boy to big band singer to beloved TV star – is interesting enough without adding fictional details.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Ken Curtis
1. Did Ken Curtis have a twin brother?
No, Ken Curtis did not have a twin brother. He had two older brothers named Chester and Carl Gates. The myth likely comes from his TV character Festus having a fictional twin brother named Fergus on “Gunsmoke.”
2. Who were Ken Curtis’s real siblings?
Ken Curtis had two older brothers: Chester K. Gates (born 1912) and Carl Melvin Gates (born 1909). Neither was his twin. Both brothers stayed out of the public eye and lived private lives away from Hollywood.
3. What was Ken Curtis’s real name?
Ken Curtis was born Curtis Wain Gates. He changed his name to Ken Curtis when he joined Tommy Dorsey’s band in 1941, following the bandleader’s suggestion that it would be easier for audiences to remember.
4. Was Ken Curtis related to Chester from Gunsmoke?
No. Ken Curtis played Festus Haggen on “Gunsmoke.” The character Deputy Chester Goode was played by Dennis Weaver. The two characters were not related. Ken Curtis replaced Dennis Weaver when Chester left the show in 1964.
5. How long did Ken Curtis play Festus on Gunsmoke?
Ken Curtis played Festus Haggen from 1964 until the show ended in 1975. He appeared in 304 episodes, making him one of the most frequent and beloved characters on the series.
6. Was Ken Curtis a singer before he was an actor?
Yes. Ken Curtis was a successful singer before becoming an actor. He sang with Tommy Dorsey’s band (temporarily replacing Frank Sinatra) and was a member of the Sons of the Pioneers, a popular Western music group.
7. Did Ken Curtis ever marry?
Yes, Ken Curtis was married three times. His first marriage was to Lorraine Page (1942), his second to Barbara Ford (1952-1964), daughter of director John Ford, and his third to Torrie Connelly (1966 until his death in 1991).
8. How did Ken Curtis die?
Ken Curtis died in his sleep from a heart attack on April 28, 1991, at his home in Fresno, California. He was 74 years old. His remains were cremated and his ashes scattered in the Colorado flatlands.
9. Did Festus have a twin brother on Gunsmoke?
Yes, in Festus’s first appearance in the episode “Us Haggens,” it was mentioned that he had a twin brother named Fergus who had been killed. However, this twin brother was never mentioned again in any other episode.
10. Where can I see a statue of Ken Curtis?
There is a statue of Ken Curtis as Festus Haggen located at 430 Pollasky Avenue in Clovis, California, in front of the Educational Employees Credit Union. The statue honors his contributions to Western entertainment and television history.
