Key Takeaways
- It was something that Weaver created while auditioning for the role
- He insisted on giving Goode a unique and memorable trait
- It took him a while to get rid of it after his time on Gunsmoke was done
Did Dennis Weaver really have a limp? It’s an often-asked question about one of the most beloved characters during the epic Gunsmoke run.
The quick, easy answer is NO. He did not.
Weaver played Marshal Matt Dillon’s deputy Chester Goode from 1955-64. He had a noticeable limp during the show, but it was something that Weaver created while auditioning for the role.
The story that’s been told numerous times is that Weaver insisted that Goode stand out among all other TV sidekicks. So he created the limp on the spot to give him a unique and memorable trait. Producers loved the idea and it became part of the persona.
In reality, Weaver walked normally. He was a track star at the University of Oklahoma and competed in the 1948 U.S. Olympic Trials as a decathlete.
Weaver left Gunsmoke after nine seasons because he wanted to avoid being typecast and pursue leading roles, which he accomplished. He always appreciated his time alongside James Arness, but it came at a price.
“If I knew I was going to be doing that for nine years, I might’ve had a different thought about it,” Weaver, who died in 2006, joked in a 2002 interview. “Because you ever try and build a campfire with a stiff leg? Or worst of all, you ever try to put your boot on without bending your knee? I had to take yoga lessons to do some of that stuff.”
Arness wrote in his autobiography that Weaver made a confession to him after his time on the show was over.
“Dennis later told me he had a heck of a time losing his limp after the show,” Arness wrote. “It took him several months to walk normal when not on camera.”
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About the Author
Jay Coffin has worked in journalism, digital media, television, communications, and the media fields for the last three decades. Most of that time has been spent in the sports and golf industry, helping to raise the profile of two prominent golf websites, appearing regularly on television, creating two successful podcasts, and boosting numerous social media accounts to record engagement metrics. He lives in Orlando, Fla.
