Amanda Blake Net Worth

Amanda Blake's Quotes

• [1974, on leaving Gunsmoke (1955) after 19 seasons]: Nineteen years is a hell of a long time for someone to be stuck behind a bar.

Interesting Facts about Amanda Blake

1. In 1971 she joined with others in Phoenix, Arizona, to form the Arizona Animal Welfare League. The AAWL is now the oldest and largest "no-kill" animal shelter in Arizona. In 1976 she hosted the 1st Annual "Sato" Mutt Show in response to all the purebred dog shows.
2. Before making it in show business, she worked as a telephone operator.
3. Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1968.
4. Her death certificate listed the immediate cause of death as cardiopulmonary arrest due to liver failure and cytomegalo virus (CMV) hepatitis. CMV hepatitis is AIDS-related, according to Sacramento (CA) internist Dr. Lou Nishimura. She was believed to have contracted the AIDS virus from her last husband, Mark Spaeth, a member of the city council of Austin, Texas. The openly bisexual Spaeth (1939-1985) also died of complications of the disease.
5. After enduring oral cancer surgery in 1984, the American Cancer Society awarded her with its Courage Award which was presented to her in Washington, DC by President Reagan. In 1985, Blake received the American Cancer Society's Sword of Hope award.
6. In 1961 she sold her residual rights to Gunsmoke (1955) for $100,000.
7. Smoked 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day until being diagnosed with oral cancer in 1980.
8. Her second husband, Jason Day, was an Arizona cattleman.
9. Amanda raised cheetahs on a ranch she owned with her 3rd husband, producer Frank Gilbert. They would send the cheetahs to zoos. Amanda credits former Secretary of the Interior James Watt for spurring her interest in wildlife and conservationism.
10. Was roommates with Jan Shepard, before she landed the role of "Miss Kitty" on Gunsmoke (1955).
11. In 1989, she traveled to Virginia City, Nevada for a special guest appearance at the renowned Miss Kitty's Longbranch Saloon. She signed several hundred autographed pictures in costume as Kitty Russell. At the time, Miss Kitty's Longbranch Saloon was owned and operated by producer, director and cinematographer Virgil E. Hammond III.
12. Best remembered by the public for her role as 'Miss Kitty' Russell on Gunsmoke (1955).
13. Her years on Gunsmoke (1955) amounts to be almost a third of her life. She even lived long enough to return in the 1987 TV movie Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987).
14. Was the only female regular cast member during Gunsmoke (1955)'s long run.
15. Held the record for being the actress who played the same character for the longest time (19 years) on television, until Mariska Hargitay surpassed her with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999).