Amanda Blake lived in the public eye for decades, best remembered as Miss Kitty Russell, the sharp-tongued and independent saloon proprietor on the long-running television western Gunsmoke. While her professional life was anchored by a 19-year run on television, her personal life was marked by a series of high-profile relationships, including five distinct marriages. Public interest in the identity and history of each Amanda Blake husband has remained strong, shedding light on a complex woman who navigated fame, tumultuous romances, wildlife conservation, and sudden illness away from the soundstages.
Overview of Amanda Blake's Five Marriages
Over her lifetime, Amanda Blake—born Beverly Louise Neill—was married five times to four different men, marrying one of them twice or experiencing various short and long-term unions typical of mid-century Hollywood figures. Her romantic life spanned from the early 1950s until her passing in 1989. Each relationship occupied a distinct chapter of her life, tracking her rise to television stardom, her transition into animal activism, and her final years.
Jack Shea (1952–1953)
Blake's first marriage was to Jack Shea, occurring just as her film career was beginning to take off with minor roles in features like Cattle Town and Scarlet Angel. This union lasted only a brief period, ending in divorce within a year. Little public documentation remains of this early marriage, as Blake was not yet a household name.
Don Whitman (1954–1956)
Shortly after her first divorce, Blake married Don Whitman in 1954. This marriage coincided with her early television guest spots and right before she secured the career-defining role of Miss Kitty on Gunsmoke in 1955. The pressures of a burgeoning career and demanding production schedules contributed to the strain on the relationship, leading to their divorce in 1956.
Jason Seymour Day Jr. (1964–1967)
After spending several years focused almost entirely on Gunsmoke, Blake married Jason Seymour Day Jr. in 1964. By this time, she was a major television star, and her status in Hollywood had solidified. This marriage lasted roughly three years before ending in divorce in 1967.
Frank Gilbert (1967–1982)
Blake's longest and most consequential marriage was to businessman Frank Gilbert, whom she wed in 1967. The couple stayed together for 15 years, a rarity in the entertainment industry. During this marriage, Blake made the decision to leave Gunsmoke in 1974 to pursue other interests.
Together, Blake and Gilbert turned their attention to wildlife preservation. They established one of the first successful captive breeding programs for cheetahs, raising multiple generations of the endangered cats on their property. They also appeared together on game shows like Tattletales. Despite their long partnership, the marriage ended in divorce in 1982.
Mark Spaeth (1984–1985)
Blake's final marriage was to Mark Edward Spaeth, an Austin, Texas city councilman, in 1984. This chapter was tragically brief. Spaeth fell ill and died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1985, just a year after their wedding. Blake herself would pass away four years later.
Beyond the Marriages: Career and Animal Advocacy
While public curiosity often zeroes in on her marital history, reducing Amanda Blake's life to her relationships overlooks her substantial contributions off-screen. Her work with cheetah conservation involved significant personal investment, working alongside researchers and zoologists long before celebrity-backed conservation became mainstream. She was also an active board member of The Humane Society of the United States, using her platform to advocate for animal welfare.
Her departure from Gunsmoke wasn't just a career shift; it marked a pivot toward a quieter, more grounded existence focused on her ranch, her animals, and her personal projects, though she occasionally returned to acting in television movies and guest spots later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Amanda Blake married?
Amanda Blake was married five times to four different men, experiencing two separate divorces before her long marriage to Frank Gilbert and her final marriage to Mark Spaeth.
Did Amanda Blake have children?
No, Amanda Blake did not have biological children. She poured much of her maternal and nurturing energy into animal rescue, her extensive domestic menagerie, and her pioneering cheetah breeding initiative with Frank Gilbert.
Why did Amanda Blake leave Gunsmoke?
After playing Miss Kitty for 19 seasons, Blake felt physically and creatively exhausted by the rigorous weekly production schedule. She chose to walk away to pursue private business ventures, travel, and wildlife conservation.
What caused Amanda Blake's death?
Amanda Blake passed away on August 16, 1989, at the age of 60. While early media reports speculated about various illnesses, her attending physician confirmed that she died from complications related to AIDS.
