How did miss kitty die on gunsmoke To understand how Miss Kitty died on Gunsmoke, it's essential to know a bit about the character and her role in the series. Miss Kitty, portrayed by Amanda Blake, is a central character in Gunsmoke, appearing in 526 out of the show's 635 episodes. She is the owner of the Long Branch Saloon, a popular watering hole and social gathering place in Dodge City. Miss Kitty is a strong, independent woman who is well-respected in the community and has a complicated relationship with Marshal Dillon. Throughout the series, Miss Kitty is involved in various storylines, including romantic entanglements, business dealings, and even brushes with the law. However, she is never killed off during the original run of Gunsmoke. Instead, Amanda Blake decided to leave the show in 1974, during its 20th season, due to her desire to pursue other projects and spend more time with her family. The episode in which Miss Kitty departs from Gunsmoke is titled "The Sharecroppers," and it aired on March 9, 1974. In this episode, Miss Kitty reveals that she has received a letter from her aunt in England, who has fallen ill. She decides to sell the Long Branch Saloon and return to England to care for her aunt. Miss Kitty's departure is a bittersweet moment, as she says goodbye to her friends and the town she has called home for many years. Interestingly, Miss Kitty's death is addressed in a later Gunsmoke movie, titled "Gunsmoke: To the Last Man," which was released in 1992. This movie is set 25 years after the end of the original series and features many of the original cast members, including James Arness as Marshal Dillon. In this movie, it is revealed that Miss Kitty passed away several years earlier from cancer. It's important to note that the events depicted in "Gunsmoke: To the Last Man" are not considered canonical, as they contradict the original series' continuity. The movie was produced long after the original show had ended, and the creators took some liberties with the storylines and characters. Nonetheless, it provides an explanation for Miss Kitty's absence and ultimate fate, albeit one that is not officially recognized by the show's creators or fans. Interestingly, Miss Kitty's death is addressed in a later Gunsmoke movie, titled "Gunsmoke: To the Last Man," which was released in 1992. This movie is set 25 years after the end of the original series and features many of the original cast members, including James Arness as Marshal Dillon. In this movie, it is revealed that Miss Kitty passed away several years earlier from cancer. It's important to note that the events depicted in "Gunsmoke: To the Last Man" are not considered canonical, as they contradict the original series' continuity. The movie was produced long after the original show had ended, and the creators took some liberties with the storylines and characters. Nonetheless, it provides an explanation for Miss Kitty's absence and ultimate fate, albeit one that is not officially recognized by the show's creators or fans.