Chester's personality didn't require it
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In the television series "Gunsmoke," Chester Goode, played by Dennis Weaver, carried a small revolver in his hip pocket. This was a practical choice for the character, reflecting the rugged, frontier lifestyle of the time. Chester's gun often served as a symbol of his role as a deputy alongside Marshal Matt Dillon, though he was known more for his loyalty and resourcefulness than for being a gunslinger.
According to Dennis Weaver, the late actor who played the role of Chester Goode, the producers of the show wanted him to develop a disability to explain why Chester never carried a gun and had a nonviolent attitude. Weaver showed up to the first day of shooting and demonstrated the now famous limp, without any explanation as to why or how Chester got it. The producers loved it and from the beginning of the series, Chester limped, though on occasion Weaver would forget and limp with the wrong leg.
Chester Good, portrayed by Dennis Weaver on "Gunsmoke," did not carry a gun primarily to emphasize his role as a comedic and more relatable character in contrast to the show's more serious lawmen. His character often served as a deputy to Matt Dillon, showcasing his quick wit and resourcefulness without relying on a weapon. This choice also highlighted the themes of non-violence and intelligence over brute force in resolving conflicts.
She appeared on Gunsmoke in 1966, in the episode "The Jailer."
Why did Cester leave the tv show gun smoke