The Miss Kitty Role: Amanda Blake’s Fortuitous Casting

Fans of Gunsmoke unanimously agree that Amanda Blake was the perfect Miss Kitty, embodying the role with unsurpassed naturalness. But history nearly took a different path. Initially, Amanda wasn’t the first choice for the iconic role; it had been offered to Polly Bond. A twist of fate led Polly to decline the role, a decision that forever altered the show’s legacy.

At a pivotal moment in her life, Polly Bond faced a choice between a burgeoning acting career and dedicating her time to her new family. Choosing the latter, Polly passed on the Miss Kitty role, setting the stage for Amanda Blake’s serendipitous rise to fame. This decision not only changed Amanda’s career trajectory but also shaped the heart of Gunsmoke.