Any show’s guest stars are a big part of its success. Having big stars agree to be on your show shows that it’s perceived as good and valuable.
“Beverly Hillbilly” star Buddy Ebsen made an appearance on the show over the span of a decade, starting in 1960 and for the last time in 1971. Bette Davis, Richard Dreyfuss, and Alan Hale Jr (Skipper) all popped up in different episodes during the series as well.
James Arness Almost Turned Down The Role
It was John Wayne who recommended James Arness to the show executives. Of course, no one is absolutely sure if the stories are true or not, although one quick search through Google will prove just how many publications are discussing it.
The stories also note that hesitant Arness was to take on the role in the first place. In one interview it reveals that someone close to him in the industry told him that if he got stuck in a series, he’d be “used goods.” However, Wayne reportedly convinced him to go for it.
William Shatner on "Gunsmoke"
There were several famous guest stars who appeared on the show throughout the years. But some of those stars wouldn’t really become well-known until after their time on "Gunsmoke". Take for instance future "Star Trek" leading man, William Shatner.
He wasn’t the only one from that particular show, either. James Doohan (Scotty) and DeForest Kelley (Dee) appeared in one episode with their future cast-mate and captain.
Doc
Milburn Stone was the man behind the face of Dr. G. “Doc” Adams on the show. Stone grew up in Burrton, Kansas, which is a small town just like Dodge, so he felt right at home playing the role of Doc. Everyone in the fictional town on the series simply referred to him by his nickname, which left fans wondering if he even had a first name at all.
Finally, before season 17, the creators decided to give the doctor a first name. But, since at that point, Stone was the person who best knew Doc, the decision was left to him. He went with the name Dr. Galen Adams.
A Future Indiana Jones
A (very) young Jodie Foster made an appearance in episode 19 of season 17, which aired in 1972. And she wasn’t the only one, either. That same year, Harrison Ford would pop up in his first episode of the series.
Ford appears in the episode titled "The Sodbusters," in which he plays the role of an outlaw named "Print." Although his character gets shot – twice – he returns the following season. But when he comes back, the marshal is out of town and it’s up to Miss Kitty to handle him and his gang.