Roger Ewing’s Departure and Subsequent Retirement

While Gunsmoke featured several long-standing characters, some, like Roger Ewing’s Clayton Thaddeus “Thad” Greenwood, had shorter arcs, spanning just two seasons. Despite his character resonating with viewers, Ewing wasn’t entirely drawn to acting. By 1972, he chose to step away from the spotlight and retire from his acting career permanently, marking an end to his brief but memorable stint on the show.

Following his exit, Roger Ewing’s shoes were filled by Buck Taylor in Gunsmoke. However, Ewing shifted his focus towards his true passion – photography. Post-retirement, he didn’t show any signs of missing his acting career. Instead, he embraced his love for photography, dedicating his time and creativity to capturing the world through his lens, displaying a seamless transition from actor to artist.