Ben Bates was a stunt performer best known for his 25 years of work as the stunt double for Gunsmoke star James Arness.

He also doubled for Arness on the television series McClain's Law and How the West Was Won (on which Bates also served as stunt coordinator) and in the telefilms Red River and The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory.

Additionally, Bates worked as a stunt performer on the film The White Buffalo. He also performed as an actor on the series Gunsmoke, Hart to Hart, Bosom Buddies, The Fall Guy and Matt Houston, as well as the films Ruckus, The Legend of the Lone Ranger and Swamp Thing.

Bates got his start in entertainment after being spotted in competition at the Chicago Rodeo in 1967, and landing a gig as the Marlboro Man in both print and television ads.

In 2016, he received a Silver Spur Award from Arness’s widow, at the annual Reel Cowboys event in Studio City.

Bates died October 4, 2017, in Sun City, California. He was 84.