Is Buck Taylor From Gunsmoke Still Alive

So I was scrolling through old Western clips the other night—you know, the kind where dusty cowboys grunt at each other and tumbleweed rolls by for no reason—when I stumbled on a scene from Gunsmoke. And there he was: Buck Taylor, tall as a pine tree, squinting into the sun like he was plotting a cattle rustle. I leaned into my screen, paused the video, and asked myself the question you’re probably here for: Is Buck Taylor from Gunsmoke still alive?

Let’s hit the brakes for a second. Buck Taylor wasn’t just any character—he was Newly O’Brien, the blacksmith with a heart of gold and fists of iron. If you grew up on Gunsmoke reruns, you know exactly the grunt-and-smile vibe I’m talking about. But here’s the thing: actors aren’t immortal, no matter how much we wish they were. So, did Buck Taylor ride off into the sunset for the final time?

The short answer? Yes, he’s still alive—and kicking harder than a mule in a saloon brawl.

Buck Taylor, whose real name is Walter Clarence Taylor III, is still with us as of this writing. Born on May 13, 1938, in Los Angeles, he’s now in his mid-80s. And no, he hasn’t turned into a ghost wandering the plains. In fact, he’s been spotted at Western film festivals, signing autographs with that same crooked grin.

I know, I know—you were probably expecting me to say “sadly, he passed in 2017” or something. But nope, the guy is still around, alive and well. Funny what the internet does to our brains, right? We assume every old actor from a 1950s show is already six feet under. But Buck? He’s stubborn like his character. He just won’t quit.

Wait, didn’t he leave Gunsmoke after a few seasons? Yes, and it’s a whole saga.

Buck joined Gunsmoke in 1967, playing Newly O’Brien for five seasons until the show ended in 1975. And here’s the ironic part: he was originally cast as a temporary blacksmith, but fans loved him so much that the writers kept him around. Classic Hollywood twist. After the show wrapped, he didn’t fade into oblivion—he dabbled in art, painting Western landscapes and selling them to collectors.

Let me tell you, if you think acting is tough, try being a cowboy painter. Buck actually studied fine arts before acting, and he’s exhibited his work in galleries across the Southwest. That’s right: the same guy who wrestled outlaws on TV now wrestles with oil paints. Talk about a second act.

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But let’s address the elephant in the room—or the tumbleweed, rather.

Why do so many people think Buck Taylor died? Probably because of the internet rumor mill. Online obituary hoaxes are a real plague—they surface every few years claiming a celebrity shuffled off this mortal coil. Buck fell victim to one of those viral “death hoaxes” back in 2020. It spread like wildfire on Facebook, and before you knew it, fans were posting RIPs. Spoiler: it was all a load of horseshoes. He never died.

His family actually had to issue a statement saying, “He’s fine, stop planning his funeral.” Imagine being 82 and having to prove you’re still alive. That’s some Twilight Zone level confusion. Buck himself reportedly laughed it off, saying, “I’m too ornery to die.” Let’s be honest—that’s the most cowboy thing he could have said.

So what has he been up to lately? Besides not dying, obviously.

Buck has been attending Western heritage events, like the Golden Boot Awards and the Autry Museum’s celebrations. He also appears at fan conventions, where he tells stories about working with James Arness (who played Matt Dillon) and Milburn Stone (Doc). And if you’re lucky, he might whip out a sketchpad and draw you a quick horse. Yes, he’s still painting.

Buck Taylor's Instagram, Twitter & Facebook on IDCrawl

I saw a recent interview where he joked about his age: “I wake up every morning and check if I’m still breathing. If I am, I eat breakfast. If not, well, I’ll figure it out.” The man has no filter, and I love it. He’s candid, unpretentious, and exactly what you’d expect from a guy who spent decades in spurs.

Why does Buck Taylor matter, anyway? Because he’s a living piece of television history.

Gunsmoke ran for 20 seasons—that’s longer than most marriages. Buck represents the last generation of actors who made the West feel real, even if it was just a soundstage in Hollywood. When you watch old episodes now, it’s like peering into a time capsule. And Buck? He’s the keeper of that capsule’s key.

Plus, he’s proof that not all stars fade away. Some of them just switch from six-shooters to paintbrushes. Buck Taylor is alive, thriving, and still drawing crowds. So the next time someone asks you that question, you can smirk and say, “Oh, he’s fine. Just busy painting his next masterpiece.”

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to buy one of his prints. Because nothing says “I love classic TV” like a watercolor of a cattle drive, signed by the man himself.