Roger Ewing, best known for playing deputy marshal Thad Greenwood on Gunsmoke, has died. He was 83.

According to an obituary shared by his family, Ewing passed away on Dec. 18, 2025. No cause of death was disclosed.

Roger Ewing was an American actor best remembered for his role as deputy U.S. marshal Thad Greenwood on the long-running television western Gunsmoke. Born on January 12, 1942, Ewing began his career in the entertainment industry in the 1960s, a period when television westerns dominated American pop culture.

Ewing joined Gunsmoke during its later seasons, appearing from 1966 to 1967. His character, Thad Greenwood, served as a loyal and steady deputy under Marshal Matt Dillon, played by James Arness. Although his time on the show was relatively brief, the role became Ewing’s most recognizable and enduring work, cementing his place in television history and earning him lasting recognition from fans of the iconic series.

According to People, Ewing went on to land guest roles on Bewitched, The Baileys of Balboa, and The Bing Crosby Show.

He continued acting in 1965, earning credits in None But the Brave and Rawhide. After his run on Gunsmoke, Ewing appeared in a 1967 episode of The Mothers-in-Law.

His final television role came in 1970 on Death Valley Days. Ewing’s last two film appearances were in Smith! and Play It as It Lays.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ewing later stepped away from acting to pursue a career in photography. His work took him around the world, including trips to Mexico, Russia, Europe, and the South Pacific.

The outlet also reported that he became involved in local politics and ran for a city council seat in his hometown of Morro Bay in 2003.

 

Gunsmoke is a classic American Western series that follows life in the rugged frontier town of Dodge City, Kansas, during the late 1800s. The show centers on U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon, a steady, morally grounded lawman tasked with keeping the peace in a dangerous and often lawless community.

Known for its gritty realism and mature storytelling, Gunsmoke explored more than gunfights and outlaws. Many episodes focused on human struggles such as justice, prejudice, loyalty, redemption, and survival on the frontier. Originally a radio drama, Gunsmoke became one of television’s longest-running primetime series, airing from 1955 to 1975, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential Westerns in TV history.