The Renowned Country Singer Ken Curtis: His Life, Career, and Legacy
Singer’s Bio
Ken Curtis was an American actor, singer, and songwriter, born on July 2, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado. He began his career as a vocalist and radio performer with the big-band outfit Tommy Dorsey in the late 1930s. He then joined the legendary Sons of the Pioneers in 1949, where he replaced the group’s original lead singer, Len Slye (who later became famous as Roy Rogers). With this group, Curtis achieved popularity as a western singer and crooner.
Table of Contents
Age
Ken Curtis died on April 28, 1991, at the age of 74.
Relationships and Children
Curtis was married three times, first to Lorraine Page from 1942 to 1950, and then to Torrie Connelly from 1952 to 1964. In 1966, he married his third wife, the artist and sculptor Barbara Ford. Curtis had three children, two with Connelly and one with Ford.
Height
Ken Curtis stood at an impressive height of 6 feet 2 inches.
Career
After his stint with the Sons of the Pioneers, Curtis landed acting roles in various films and television shows, including The Searchers (1956) and Gunsmoke (1959-75), in which he played the role of Festus Haggen. He also appeared in more than 50 films alongside notable actors such as John Wayne and Randolph Scott.
As a singer and songwriter, Ken Curtis recorded numerous albums, including “Lonesome Road,” “The Ken Curtis Collection,” and “The Utah Carol.” He was known for his rich baritone voice, which he used to great effect on songs such as “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” and “Cool Water.”
Top Songs
Ken Curtis had several hits as a western singer and crooner. Here are some of his top songs:
- “Tumbling Tumbleweeds”
- “Cool Water”
- “Room Full of Roses”
- “Sugar Moon”
- “Riders in the Sky”
Net Worth
Ken Curtis’ net worth at the time of his death was estimated to be around $5 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Was Ken Curtis the original performer of “The Ballad of the Green Berets”?
No, “The Ballad of the Green Berets” was written and performed by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler.
2. What was Ken Curtis’ most famous role?
Ken Curtis is best known for his role as Festus Haggen on the long-running television series Gunsmoke.
3. Did Ken Curtis write any of his own songs?
Yes, Ken Curtis was a prolific songwriter and wrote several songs that became hits, such as “Cigarettes, Whiskey, and Wild, Wild Women.”
4. Did Ken Curtis serve in the military?
Yes, Ken Curtis served in the United States Army during World War II.
5. Who were some of the other members of the Sons of the Pioneers?
The Sons of the Pioneers included such notable performers as Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan, and Tim Spencer, among others.
6. Did Ken Curtis ever win any awards for his acting or singing?
No, Ken Curtis was never nominated for any major acting or singing awards.
7. Was Ken Curtis related to John Wayne?
No, Ken Curtis and John Wayne were not related, although they did appear in several films together.
8. What was Ken Curtis’ last film role?
Ken Curtis’ last film role was in the 1980 Western film The Long Riders, in which he played the character of George Arthur.
9. Did Ken Curtis ever perform on Broadway?
Yes, Ken Curtis appeared in the Broadway production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! in the early 1940s.
10. Did Ken Curtis ever record any non-western music?
Yes, Ken Curtis recorded several albums of pop standards and love songs in addition to his more famous western recordings.
11. Did Ken Curtis ever tour outside of the United States?
Yes, Ken Curtis toured extensively in Australia, where he was a popular performer.
12. Was Ken Curtis married to the actress Suzanne Pleshette?
No, Ken Curtis was never married to Suzanne Pleshette, although they did appear together in the film Support Your Local Gunfighter.
13. Did Ken Curtis ever write any books?
No, Ken Curtis did not write any books, although he did contribute forewords to several books about western music and culture.
14. What was Ken Curtis’ most popular album?
Ken Curtis’ most successful album was “Lonesome Road,” which reached number 11 on the Billboard charts in 1967.
15. Was Ken Curtis ever inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame?
No, Ken Curtis was never inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, although he did receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
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