Stone, Milburn

Most notable for his portrayal of Doc Adams on the television western, Gunsmoke, Milburn Stone was a partner in a vaudeville act, Stone and Strain, which appeared on the CBS Radio Network. He made his first Broadway appearance in 1932 in "The Jayhawker." Stone began his career with Monogram Pictures Film Company making his first movie, "Ladies Crave Excitement," in 1934. Under contract to Universal Studios (1942-1946) and as a free-lance actor, he appeared in over 150 films spanning four decades. In 1955, he accepted the role of Dr. Galen "Doc" Adams on Gunsmoke and achieved celebrity status from the popular series. He won a 1968 Emmy Award as best supporting actor. Stone appeared frequently at fairs and rodeos across the country with Ken Curtis (Gunsmoke's Festus Haggen) in a song, dance and comedy act. Born July 5, 1904 in Burrton, Kansas, he was a Kansas State University alumnus. Proud of his Kansas heritage, he was celebrated as Honorary Marshall of Dodge City. He died June 12, 1980 in La Jolla, California of a heart attack.