Roger Ewing passed away on December 18, 2025, at the age of 83. Ewing was known for playing Deputy Marshal Thad on the Western series Gunsmoke. The show aired on American Television from 1955 to 1975. For the years of 1965 and 1966, Ewing's character was a series regular, appearing in over 50 episodes.
Videos by Wide Open Country
His family announced his death in an obituary. Friends of the actor cite Ewing as being a kindhearted person who always remained humble despite his fame.
"Roger was a kind and decent man who never let his fame or station in life go to his head," wrote Mark Ashworth, a friend of Ewing's. "Surely he's in Heaven, because if anyone was meant to be there, it's him. Rest In Peace, good lad."
Although Ewing stopped acting in the 1970s, he spent many of his later years as a professional photogropher. Many of his years as a photographer were spent in Morro Bay, California, according to the Hollywood Reporter. He also traveled the world for his pictures, exploring countries like Russia, Mexico, Europe, and the South Pacific. To this day, Ewing is remembered by those close to him as having an artistic eye.
Ewing Was Always Meant To Play a Part in 'Gunsmoke'
Ewing's love for acting started from a pretty unique place, one that would later serve him directly in his own career. In high school, Ewing was actually a fan of Gunsmoke, and watched the show every Saturday night. Senior year, he participated in a class variety show that was meant to be a satire parody of Gunsmoke. Although he would go on to play the role of Deputy Marshal Thad, in high school he played the role of Chester.
After a year of attempting the traditional college route and working as a lifeguard, Ewing decided to try his hand at acting for real. In 1964, he made his debut as a young sailor named Jackson in the film Ensign Pulver. He would also go on to make appearances in Bewitched, The Bing Crosby Show, and Rawhide. He was also cast in the movie None But the Brave, which starred, was directed, and produced by Frank Sinatra.
Ewing was never married and never had any children, but lived a happy life in which he was cared for deeply by his family and close friends.
