Biography
He also appeared in several films by his then father-in-law John Ford including "Mister Roberts" (1955), "The Searchers" and "Wings of Eagles" (both 1956), "The Last Hurrah" (1958) and "The Horse Soldiers" (1959).
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The Killer Shrews
Pony Express Rider
Career Milestones
| Served in infantry and in anti-aircraft unit during WWII | ||
| Worked as vocalist with several bands including Tommy Dorsey's during the late 1930s; Dorsey had him change name to Curtis | ||
| Worked on jail farm as a boy | ||
1938 | Moved to Los Angeles and landed job as staff singer for NBC radio | |
1945 | After record hit, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," signed by Columbia Pictures to star as singing cowboy in low-budget Columbia westerns (date approximate) | |
1945 | Film debut "Song of the Prairie", "Rhythm Roundup" | |
1950 | Joined western singing group Sons of the Pioneers (which included Roy Rogers) which was hired by John Ford to sing on the score of "Wagon Master" | |
1959 | Produced first feature, "The Killer Shrews" | |
1961 | Co-starred as sky driver on TV series, "Ripcord" | |
1964 | Replaced Dennis Weaver as Sheriff Matt Dillon's deputy sidekick on TV series "Gunsmoke" playing new character Festus | |