Ken Curtis was more than just a funny guy on Gunsmoke. His character, Festus, was loyal, had heart, and despite being a bit stinky and unkempt, he was charming — reminding many viewers of someone they might know from their own hometown.

He had a special way of connecting everyone together. But despite the many reasons we love him, Curtis thought the most important reason was his humor.

He brought a rough-around-the-edges rural humor that lightened the show’s often serious tone. His quirky mannerisms, mispronounced words, and deadpan one-liners gave audiences a reason to smile.

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"Making people laugh is so very important," Curtis said in a 1971 interview with The Kalamazoo Gazette. "With all the dissension and problems of today, it is very gratifying when you can go out and make people laugh."

According to the interview, Curtis was originally a pre-medical student before changing his path and heading into acting.

When on tour or on hiatus from Gunsmoke, Curtis liked to visit people in hospitals. In Curtis' world, laughter was the best medicine. Even though he quit medical school, it was one type of medication he could still prescribe as an actor.

"I like to go to the hospitals and visit the children and make them laugh," Curtis said. 

At the time of this interview, Gunsmoke was heading into its 17th season on air. According to Curtis, one of the reasons for the Western’s success was that the cast never lost interest in the series. Much of the cast shared similar upbringings, which helped create a tight-knit group.

"We try to keep the series in the realm of possibility and probability," Curtis said.

Curtis showed us that a little humor and heart go a long way, making Festus a fan-favorite character for years to come.