Amanda Blake, immortalized as the sharp-witted saloon proprietor Miss Kitty Russell on the legendary television western Gunsmoke, lived a life far more complex than her television persona suggested. While millions tuned in week after week to watch her command the Long Branch Saloon, her private life was marked by five distinct marriages, deep involvement in wildlife conservation, and a quiet resilience away from the Hollywood spotlight. Understanding her personal legacy requires looking past the studio soundstages to examine the men she married and the private world she built.
Between 1952 and 1984, Blake entered into marriage five times with four different men, as one period involved a remarriage cycle or distinct record keeping across her lifetime. Her relationships ranged from brief early unions during the takeoff of her acting career to a long-term domestic partnership defined by animal breeding on an Arizona ranch. Her marital history reflects the challenges faced by golden-age television stars trying to balance intense public schedules with private fulfillment.
The Early Marriages: Jack Shea and Don Whitman
Before Amanda Blake became a household name across America, she navigated the volatile early stages of her entertainment career. Her first marriage was to Jack Shea in 1952, though the union was short-lived and ended in divorce by 1953. Details regarding Shea remain sparse, as this preceded her breakthrough television roles.
Shortly after her entry into the television sphere, Blake married Don Whitman on August 22, 1954. Whitman stayed largely out of the public eye, and the couple's domestic life was brief. They officially divorced in 1956, just as Blake was settling into the demanding production schedule of Gunsmoke. Following this separation, Blake frequently noted that the television set itself acted as a stable anchor during a turbulent period in her personal life.
Mid-Career Marriages: Jason Day and Frank Gilbert
As her fame grew through the 1960s, Blake married Jason Seymour Day Jr. in August 1964. Day, an Arizona cattleman and attorney, shared a brief chapter with the actress before their divorce was finalized in 1967.
Her longest and most domestic marriage began later that same year when she married Frank Gilbert. Gilbert, a real estate developer, supported Blake during the height of her Gunsmoke tenure and her transition into semi-retirement. Together, the couple moved to a spacious rural property near Phoenix, Arizona, where they pursued a groundbreaking passion: animal welfare.
Captive Cheetah Breeding and Conservation
During her marriage to Frank Gilbert, Blake poured her energy into conservation rather than Hollywood parties. She and Gilbert established one of the first successful programs for breeding cheetahs in captivity. Operating on a four-acre compound at their home, they successfully raised multiple generations of cheetahs, many of which were later placed in accredited zoos.
Blake was also a founding pillar of the Arizona Animal Welfare League, helping build what would become the state's oldest and largest no-kill animal shelter. Though she and Gilbert ultimately divorced in 1982 after fifteen years together, their joint conservation work remains a cornerstone of her legacy.
Final Marriage: Mark Spaeth
Amanda Blake's final marriage took place in 1984 when she wed Mark Edward Spaeth, an Austin, Texas city councilman and businessman. The wedding represented a quiet shift toward political and civic circles in Texas. However, this chapter was cut short by tragedy. Spaeth passed away in 1985 from AIDS-related pneumonia. Blake herself passed away several years later in August 1989, with medical records confirming she also succumbed to complications related to HIV/AIDS. Despite her multiple marriages, Blake never had biological children, choosing instead to focus her maternal instincts on her extensive menagerie of rescued animals and conservation projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times was Amanda Blake married?
Amanda Blake was married five times to four different men: Jack Shea, Don Whitman, Jason Day, Frank Gilbert, and Mark Spaeth. Most of her marriages ended in divorce, with her final marriage ending due to the death of her husband.
Did Amanda Blake have children?
No, Amanda Blake did not have any children. Throughout her life, she channeled her nurturing energy into animal rescue, pet care, and pioneering wildlife conservation programs.
Why did Amanda Blake leave Gunsmoke?
Blake left Gunsmoke in 1974 after playing Miss Kitty for nineteen years. She cited exhaustion from the heavy filming schedule, the long commute between her home in Arizona and California studios, and a desire to focus on her personal life and animal welfare advocacy.
Where can I learn more about classic television history?
You can explore archives maintained by cultural institutions such as the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum to discover more about the performers who shaped American western television. Additional historical context on classic television stars is available through resources like the Television Academy.
