Who is Roger Ewing?
Roger is a retired American actor, perhaps still best known as Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood in the TV series “Gunsmoke”, in addition to several other roles he had while active as an actor.
Where is Roger Ewing Now? Is he Dead or Alive?
Roger is pretty much alive, and has just turned 80. Upon retiring from acting, he set up a lovely estate at Morro Bay, California, where he lives today. For some time, he pursued his love for photography, but according to reports, he is now active in local politics.
Roger Ewing Wiki: Age, Childhood, and Education
Roger Lawrence Ewing was born on 12 January 1942, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Roger hasn’t shared many details about his parents as he hasn’t revealed their names, but it’s known that his father was a journalist, and his mother a nurse.
He grew up in Los Angeles with his siblings, but it was never mentioned how many brothers and sisters he had. He became interested in acting at an early age, but remained focused on education rather than pursuing a career from an early age.
He went to Los Angeles High School, and during these years played football, baseball and lacrosse for the school teams. Following his matriculation, he enrolled at a university from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in theater in 1964, after which he launched his career.
Career Beginnings
Roger made his acting debut in 1964, as Jackson in the war comedy film “Ensign Pulver”. The film is about a man who ends up on an island with his captain following a storm in which their ship is destroyed.
Directed by Joshua Logan, the film starred Robert Walker Jr, Burl Ives and Walter Matthau. Next, he was Marvin Grogan (Monster) in an episode of the Primetime Emmy Award-winning TV fantasy-comedy series “Bewitched”, which starred Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York and Dick Sargent, about a witch woman who uses magic powers to solve family problems.
He continued with minor roles, including as Norman in the TV series “The Baileys of Balboa”, and played Eddie Fox in two episodes of the TV comedy series “The Bing Crosby Show”, also starring Beverly Garland, and Frank McHugh in the lead roles.
Thad's soft pink gingham with light gray pants is THE look of Dodge City and I'll never forgive the entity known as CBS for getting rid of him after two seasons. Incidentally Roger Ewing never married or spoke about his private life. Incidentally. pic.twitter.com/4W05O66FNI
— Brandon 🚷 (@bnowalk) May 23, 2018
Before securing his breakthrough role, Roger had several other appearances – he was Private Swensholm in Frank Sinatra’s war-drama film “None But the Brave” (1965), about US Marines who crash land on a Pacific Island occupied by the Japanese, co-starring Clint Walker and Tatsuya Mihashi. Moreover, he was Billy Wallace in an episode of the TV series “Rawhide” in 1965.
‘Gunsmoke’ and Rise to Stardom
A fan of “Gunsmoke” as a teenager, Roger watched the show every Saturday night during his high school years. His interest in acting provided only a handful of roles before being cast as Clayton Thaddeus Greenwood, a part-time deputy marshal and handyman in the TV western series “Gunsmoke”, having had a guest role in the episode “Song for Dying”; his performance left the producers awestruck, and he was offered the role of Thad.
When he joined the show, the series’ main star, James Arness and CBS television had some problems negotiating his next contract and part-ownership of the series. The producers intended to replace Arness with Ewing if such a thing would become a necessity. However, that never happened.
Nevertheless, Roger earned critical acclaim during his time on the show from 1965 to ‘67 before it was canceled. Although the series was renewed in 1975, Roger didn’t return as Thad since he had already retired, having appeared in 52 episodes of the Primetime Emmy Award-winning series, and though he didn’t win any awards, he is remembered as Thad until the present day.
Career After ‘Gunsmoke’ and Retirement
After “Gunsmoke”, Roger had a few other roles before retiring. He was Carter Case in an episode of the TV comedy series “The Mothers-In-Law” (1967). Next, he was Donald Maxwell in the western drama film “Smith!” (1969) about a young Indian boy who flees after being accused of murder, starring Glenn Ford, Nancy Olson and Dean Jagger.
The following year, he appeared in the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated TV western series “Death Valley Days”, which starred Stanley Andrews, Robert Taylor and Ronald Reagan.
His last on-screen appearance was as Nelson in the award-winning drama film “Play It As It Lays”, about a Hollywood actress who suffers a mental breakdown and talks about a traumatic experience she had that led to a sanitarium stay, starring Tuesday Weld, Anthony Perkins and Tammy Grimes. The film is based on the novel by Joan Didion, and directed by Frank Perry.
He appeared in an episode of the reality show “The Dating Game” as one of the bachelors, his last on-screen appearances before he decided to pursue photography.
Did he appear in the film “Midnight Cowboy”?
The drama film “Midnight Cowboy” stars Dustin Hoffman, Jon Voight and Sylvia Miles, but Roger had a shot at the role of Joe Buck, which went to Jon Voight. John Schlesinger, the film director, wanted him in the part of Joe, mainly for his impressive physique. However, after the audition was held, Jerome Hellman, the producer of the film, wasn’t impressed by his acting talents, saying to John that he didn’t have all the qualities for the role.
Unfortunately for Roger, the film became a huge hit, winning three Oscars and more than 20 other prestigious awards. Thus, his only major role was as Thad in “Gunsmoke”.
Net Worth
According to sources, Roger Ewing’s wealth is estimated at $1 million, as of late 2022.
Personal Life, Marriage, Wife, Children
Roger is very secretive about his personal life. According to sources, he’s never married and doesn’t have children. He was engaged once to a woman he met not long after he retired from acting, however, they broke up before they took the next step.
Appearance and Vital Statistics
Roger had short brown hair, which has since gone gray, and blue eyes. He stands at a height of 6ft 4ins (1.93m), while he weighs approximately 180lbs (81kgs).
Hobbies, Interests, and Trivia
Additional to acting and photography, Roger loves to read. He has collected more than 1,000 books, and mostly enjoys those that describe actual events.
An avid traveler, he has visited numerous countries and has taken thousands of photographs on his journeys.
Roger is also a huge football and soccer fan, but instead of going to the stadia, he watches games on television.
He’s an animal lover, and throughout his life has had many dogs as pets.
