For millions of Americans, Gunsmoke was “a weekly ritual,” and fans are now mourning Roger Ewing, the actor whose calm presence helped make Dodge City feel familiar. Ewing died at 83 on December 18 at his home in Morro Bay, California, “according to The Hollywood Reporter.”

Standing 6-foot-4, Ewing first appeared on Gunsmoke in February 1965 in the episode “Song for Dying.” A few months later, he returned as deputy marshal Thad Greenwood, debuting in season 11. At just 23, he quickly became a steady, reassuring figure alongside Marshal Matt Dillon.

Thad was introduced as the son of an Oklahoma sheriff who came to Dodge City seeking justice. After his mission ended, Matt Dillon invited him to stay on as a deputy. Ewing later explained that with Thad’s family gone, the people of Dodge City became his new one, and he was always there when help was needed.

Ewing appeared in about 50 episodes through 1967. When ratings recovered, his role was reduced and eventually written out. He was replaced by Buck Taylor’s Newly O’Brien, who stayed until the series ended in 1975.

Born in Los Angeles in 1942, Ewing had been a fan of Gunsmoke long before joining the cast. After leaving the show, he acted in series like Death Valley Days and films such as Smith! and Play It as It Lays, before retiring to become a photographer and later entering local politics. For fans, he will always be Thad — dependable, quiet, and unforgettable.