Festus Haggen

Festus Haggen was Marshal Matt Dillon's only official deputy on the CBS television series "Gunsmoke". He came to Dodge City in an episode titled "Us Haggens" to avenge the death of his twin brother, Fergus.

Fergus joined their outlaw uncle - Black Jack Haggen - and was wounded trying to escape a posse. When Jack's horse came up lame, he made Fergus take the lame horse and left Fergus for dead. Fergus, however, made it back to the Haggen place and told Festus what happened. Festus rode out after Jack, who had come to the attention of Marshal Matt Dillon when he killed a local farmer and stole his wagon. Festus joined Matt Dillon and they apprehended Jack, who was shot by the marshal in an escape attempt.

Festus decided to stick around Dodge. He can frequently be seen arguing with Doc Adams, or trying to get someone to buy him a beer at the Long Branch. Although originally distrusted by Matt and the townspeople, Festus was eventually accepted by them and became the only full-time official deputy marshal of Gunsmoke. In episodes such as Deadman's Law, he was in charge of the town.

Festus Haggen was portrayed by Ken Curtis for the last 11 years of Gunsmoke. The character was introduced in 1962 and became a regular in 1964.