Quick Info James Arness :
| Name | James King Aurness |
| NickName | James Arness |
| Date of Birth | May 26, 1923 |
| Date of Death | 3 June 2011 |
| Age | 88 years |
| Nationality | American |
| HomeTown | Brentwood , Los Angeles |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in |
| Profession | Actor |
| Spouse | Janet Surtees (m. 1978–2011), Virginia Chapman (m. 1948–1960) |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Net Worth | 10-15 Million Dollar |
Who is James Arness ?
James Arness original name is James King Aurness he born on May 26, 1923, and left the world on June 3, 2011, he was an American actor best known for his iconic portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon on the long-running television series “Gunsmoke.” Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Arness grew up in a family of Norwegian descent. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was wounded in action during the Battle of Anzio.
James acting career had started in the early 1950s, and he quickly recogonized for his tall stature, standing at 6 feet 7 inches, and distinctive voice. it was his role as Marshal Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke” that made him a household name. This show is very famous and ran for 20 seasons, from 1955 to 1975, making it one of the longest-running and most successful Westerns in television history. Arness received critical acclaim for his performance, earning him three Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
James Arness left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, and his portrayal of Marshal Dillon remains one of the most memorable characters in television history. His contributions to the Western genre and his enduring impact on popular culture have solidified his place as an American television icon.
Facts about James Arness :
- James Arness was an American actor best known for his role as Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running television series Gunsmoke.
- He was born James Clifford Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- His father was a Swedish immigrant and his mother was a Norwegian immigrant.
- He had two older brothers, Robert and Peter, who also became actors.
- Arness served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and was wounded in the leg during the Battle of Anzio.
- After the war, he began his acting career in films, appearing in such movies as The Thing from Another World (1951) and Battleground (1949).
- In 1955, he was cast as Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke, which became one of the most popular television shows of all time.
- He played the role of Dillon for 20 years, from 1955 to 1975.
- Gunsmoke was the longest-running primetime drama on American television until it was surpassed by The Simpsons in 2007.
- Arness also appeared in a number of other television shows and movies, including How the West Was Won (1962) and The Big Mouth (1967).
- He was married twice, first to Virginia Chapman from 1948 to 1953 and then to Joyce Matthews from 1978 until his death in 2011.
- He had three children, a son named James Jr. from his first marriage and two daughters, Jenny and Julie, from his second marriage.
- Arness died on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88.
- He was a recipient of numerous awards, including three Golden Globe Awards and two Emmy Awards.
- He was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s Hall of Great Western Performers in 1994.
- He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
- He is considered one of the most iconic actors in the history of television.
- His portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon is one of the most recognizable characters in American pop culture.
- He is an inspiration to many actors and filmmakers.