<P> In the end, the primary roles were all recast, with Arness taking the lead role of Marshal Matt Dillon (on the recommendation of Wayne, who also introduced the pilot); Dennis Weaver playing Chester Goode; Milburn Stone being cast as Dr. G. "Doc" Adams (later Galen "Doc" Adams); and Amanda Blake taking on the role of Miss Kitty Russell . Macdonnell became the associate producer of the TV show and later the producer . Meston was named head writer . </P> <P> Good evening . My name's Wayne . Some of you may have seen me before; I hope so . I've been kicking around Hollywood a long time . I've made a lot of pictures out here, all kinds, and some of them have been Westerns . And that's what I'm here to tell you about tonight: a Western--a new television show called Gunsmoke . No, I'm not in it . I wish I were, though, because I think it's the best thing of its kind that's come along, and I hope you'll agree with me; it's honest, it's adult, it's realistic . When I first heard about the show Gunsmoke, I knew there was only one man to play in it: James Arness . He's a young fellow, and maybe new to some of you, but I've worked with him and I predict he'll be a big star, so you might as well get used to him, like you've had to get used to me! And now I'm proud to present my friend Jim Arness in Gunsmoke . </P> <P> Chester and Festus Haggen are perhaps Dillon's most recognizable sidekicks, though others became acting deputies for ​ 2 ⁄ - to ​ 7 ⁄ - year stints: Quint Asper (Burt Reynolds) (1962--65), Thad Greenwood (Roger Ewing) (1966--68), and Newly O'Brien (Buck Taylor) (1967--75), who served as both back - up deputy and doctor - in - training, having some studies in medicine via his uncle, which then continued under Doc Adams . </P> <P> In 1962, Burt Reynolds was added to the show's lineup, as the "halfbreed" blacksmith Quint Asper, and performed that role from the year just before the departure of Chester Goode and to just after the appearance of Festus Haggen . Three of the actors, who played Dodge deputies, Ken Curtis, Roger Ewing, and Buck Taylor, had previous guest roles . Curtis, a big band and Western singer (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Shep Fields Band, Sons of the Pioneers), had five previous guest roles, including one in 1963 as a shady ladies' man named Kyle Kelly ("Lover Boy," season 9, show two (episode 307)). </P>

What was burt reynold's character name on gunsmoke