Sam the bartender, played by actor Glenn Strange, passed away during the series. After his death, the character was written out of the show.
Glenn Strange, who portrayed Sam the bartender on the long-running Western television series “Gunsmoke,” became a familiar face to audiences as he served drinks at the Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City. Unfortunately, Strange passed away on September 20, 1973, due to lung cancer. At the time of his death, “Gunsmoke” was still in production, and the show had to address the absence of his beloved character.
The series chose not to replace Strange with another actor in the role of Sam. Instead, they wrote the character out, allowing the saloon to be staffed by other characters. The show continued to honor Strange’s contribution by maintaining the atmosphere and dynamic of the Long Branch Saloon as a central location for the characters to gather and interact.
Glenn Strange had become an integral part of the “Gunsmoke” cast, and his death marked the end of an era for the show. Despite his passing, the series carried on until its conclusion in 1975, after an impressive 20-year run, making it one of the longest-running primetime television series of its time.