What would Gunsmoke have been without Miss Kitty? We got the answer in season 20 when Amanda Blake left the Western drama series after its 19th season.
Blake’s portrayal of Kitty was central to the show’s success, thanks to her dynamic chemistry with Matt Dillon. Her character, the sassy owner of Long Branch Saloon in Dodge City, was a fan favorite, known for being tough yet warm-hearted. Kitty’s role was pivotal in numerous episodes, showcasing a strong western woman with a big heart. Appearing in over 500 episodes, Blake’s performance left a lasting legacy in the Western television genre.
She Went Into Semi-Retirement and Instead Devoted More Time To Her Animals
After “Gunsmoke,” Amanda Blake entered semi-retirement at her home in Phoenix, Arizona, choosing to take on occasional film and television projects. She wanted to dedicate more time to her animals, having the opportunity to do so. Blake once made headlines for bringing her pet lion, Kemo, to the “Gunsmoke” set. The lion lived in an animal compound at her home, where she and her husband, Frank Gilbert, were running an experimental breeding program for cheetahs. They were among the first to successfully breed cheetahs in captivity, raising seven generations.
In 1971, Blake collaborated with other animal rights activists to establish the Arizona Animal Welfare League, now the oldest and largest “no-kill” animal shelter in the state. She also helped finance the Performing Animal Welfare Society in 1985 and supported its efforts, including traveling to Africa. Blake served as a board member of the Humane Society of the United States and, in 1997, the Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge was established at Rancho Seco Park in Herald, California. The refuge provides sanctuary for free-ranging African hoofed wildlife, many of which were initially destined for exotic animal auctions or hunting ranches.
In 1984, Blake received the society’s annual Courage Award, presented by U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
On The Controversy Amidst Her Death
Amanda Blake passed away at the age of 60 on August 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California. Initially, it was reported that she died after a long battle with oral cancer, a disease she had fought since her surgery in 1977. As a heavy smoker, Blake had become a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society following her surgery.
However, her physician, Dr. Lou Nishimura, later clarified that her death was not due to cancer, as there had been no recurrence. Instead, reports revealed that Blake died from complications related to AIDS, making her one of the first notable Hollywood actresses to succumb to the disease. Specifically, she died of liver failure brought on by viral hepatitis, which was AIDS-related.
Blake had learned she had AIDS a year before her death and chose to keep the diagnosis private. Her close friend, Pat Derby, noted that Blake accepted her condition without bitterness or anger. The exact means by which she contracted AIDS remains uncertain, though it is suspected she might have contracted it from her former husband, Mark Spaeth, who also died of AIDS.
Blake’s death was not publicly attributed to AIDS until after her will, which left her estate to the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), was contested by family members. To prevent the legal dispute from distorting the truth, Derby disclosed Blake’s AIDS diagnosis herself.
Despite her illness, Blake remained active and hopeful, expressing a desire to continue working up until her final days.
A Career That Spanned Nearly Four Decades
Amanda Blake, born Beverly Louise Neill in 1929 in Buffalo, New York, began her career working as a telephone operator, earning $40 a week. This job not only helped her improve her diction but also led to opportunities in radio and dramatic readings at a local women’s club.
Blake eventually pursued dramatic acting on stage, performing in summer stock in New England. Her talent caught the attention of MGM, which saw her as a potential successor to Greer Garson, a 1940s MGM film star known for her multiple Oscar nominations.
Blake made her screen debut in 1950 with the MGM film “Stars in My Crown.” She went on to appear in several Hollywood films, including the western “Cattle Town” in 1952 and the starring role in “Miss Robin Crusoe,” an adaptation of the Robinson Crusoe adventure.
Her most iconic role came when she was cast as Miss Kitty Russell in the classic television series “Gunsmoke,” a character she portrayed for nineteen years. Even after the show was canceled a year after her departure, fans enjoyed her return in the TV movie “Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge,” where she reprised her role as Miss Kitty.
Amanda Blake is remembered not only for her memorable roles in Westerns but also for her significant contributions to animal welfare. Miss Kitty Russell remains one of the strongest female characters in Western television history.
