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James Arness, Tessie Santiago, Monkees

Is James Arness of Gunsmoke still alive? How about the actor who played Festus?
—Joan M., New Jersey.

James Arness published his autobiography last year. James Arness: An Autobiography features personal revelations about his 20 years playing Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke and a film career that included roles in the cult-favorite science fiction movie The Thing. Arness, 79, was born in Minneapolis and began his career as a radio announcer in Minnesota in 1945. His big break came in 1947, when he landed the lead opposite Loretta Young in The Farmer’s Daughter. John Wayne suggested the 6-foot-7 Arness for the role of the marshal in the frontier town of Dodge City, Kan., after he turned it down. Arness’ brother is actor Peter Graves. Arness and his wife, Janet, live in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles and enjoy spending time with their three sons and grandchildren. Ken Curtis, who played Dillon’s cantankerous deputy, Festus Hagen, died in 1991.

Tessie Santiago used to star in the syndicated series Queen of Swords. What is she doing since that show went off the air?
—Diane D., California

Tessie Santiago recently co-starred in the NBC comedy Good Morning, Miami. Her option wasn’t picked up for the entire season, and she’s not expected to appear in the show beyond the 13th episode. Santiago portrayed an opinionated, smart-alecky television host on the show. “Having a comedic role is a nice change-of-pace for me,” Santiago says. “Queen of Swords was my first professional job out of college, and it was a lot of fun and hard work overseas. I had to train using whips and daggers, learn flamenco, and how to ride a horse—all while wearing a corset!” Santiago, 27, is the oldest of three children. Born in Miami, she graduated from the University of Miami with double bachelor of art degrees in film production and theater. She also starred in many independent student films in college. When Queen of Swords ended after one season, Santiago moved to Los Angles in 2001 and landed a role in the VH1 movie, The Way She Moves. In her free time, Santiago likes going to dog parks with her pet dog, reading, going to the theater, and spending time with her family in Miami.

My daughter found my old Monkees albums and has fallen in love with their music just as I did. Refresh my memory about the group’s history. What are the members doing today?
—Becky V., Texas

The group The Monkees—Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Micky Dolenz, and Mike Nesmith—came together specifically for the television show. The series was inspired by the Beatles movie, A Hard Day’s Night, in which the Fab Four played themselves, though in a wacky made-up storyline. Once chosen, the four actors and musicians were supplied with songs along with scripts. At first they sang but didn’t play their instruments. Their first single, Last Train to Clarksville, was a huge hit, and eventually they did start playing their own instruments and even writing some of their own songs. The show ran from 1966 to 1968. When MTV ran a Monkees marathon, showing every episode back to back, interest in the group revived. Tork, Jones, and Dolenz toured together for a while, and Jones and Dolenz still tour occasionally as The Monkees. Nesmith continues to make music and also makes movies. Tork tours with his band, Shoe Suede Blues.

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