That is where the name came from, although he spelled the name Haggen on Gunsmoke. Ken Curtis was one of my favorite character actors when I was growing up. I was attached with that name Festus in the Army and it stuck. Curtis had quite a history in the entertainment industry having sung with the Sons of the Pioneers and acted with none other than John Wayne. He was also John Fords son-in-law having married his daughter Betty. He is best known for his character "Festus" on Gunsmoke.