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Photo of James Arness

James Arness

Actor, Producer
Born May 26, 1923Died June 3, 2011 (88 years)
The star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness (formerly had been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother later became a newspaper columnist. James attended West High School in Minneapolis. Although he appeared in school plays, he had no interest in performing, and dreamed instead of going to sea. After high school, he attended one semester at Beloit College before receiving his draft notice in 1943. He entered the army and trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, before shipping out for North Africa. After landing at Casablanca, Arness joined the 3rd Infantry Division in time for the invasion of Anzio. Ten days after the invasion, Arness was severely wounded in the leg and foot by German machine-gun fire. His wounds, which plagued him the rest of his life, resulted in his medical discharge from the army. While recuperating in a Clinton, Iowa hospital, he was visited by his younger brother Peter (later to gain fame as actor Peter Graves), who suggested he take a radio course at the University of Minnesota. James did so, and a teacher recommended him for a job as an announcer at a Minneapolis radio station. Though seemingly headed for success in radio, he followed a boyhood friend's suggestion and went with the friend to Hollywood in hopes of getting work as film extras. He studied at the Bliss-Hayden Theatre School under actor Harry Hayden, and while appearing in a play there was spotted by agent Leon Lance. Lance got the actor a role as Loretta Young's brother in The Farmer's Daughter (1947). The director of that film, H.C. Potter, recommended that he drop the "u" from his last name and soon thereafter the actor was officially known as James Arness. Little work followed this break,  He appeared in a production of "Candida", and married his leading lady, Virginia Chapman. He began to get small roles with frequency, often, due to his size, villainous characters. Most notable among these was that of the space alien in The Thing from Another World (1951). While playing a Greek warrior in a play, Arness was spotted by agent Charles K. Feldman, who represented John Wayne. Feldman introduced Arness to Wayne, who put the self-described 6' 6" actor under personal contract. Arness played several roles over the next few years for and with Wayne, whom he considered a mentor. In 1955, Wayne recommended Arness for the lead role of Matt Dillon in the TV series Gunsmoke (1955). (Contrary to urban legend, Wayne himself was never offered the role.) Arness at first declined, thinking a TV series could derail his growing film career, but Wayne argued for the show, and Arness accepted. After the cancellation of "Gunsmoke" in 1975, Arness took on another successful Western project, "How The West Was Won." A brief modern police drama, McClain's Law (1981), followed, and Arness played his mentor John Wayne's role in Red River (1988), a remake of the Wayne classic.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • The Lone Ranger

Known For

  • Gunsmoke
  • Them!
  • How the West Was Won
  • Hondo
  • The Thing from Another World
  • Island in the Sky
  • The Sea Chase
  • Gun the Man Down
  • Big Jim McLain
  • The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory
  • Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge
  • Gunsmoke: The Last Apache
  • Gunsmoke: To the Last Man
  • Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice
  • Gunsmoke: The Long Ride
  • Two Lost Worlds

Filmography

2016
For the Love of Spock · as Matt Dillon (archive Footage)
2008
Pioneers of Television (TV Series) · as Marshal Matt Dillon From Gunsmoke
2005
2005
1994
Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice · as Matt Dillon
1993
Gunsmoke: The Long Ride · as Matt Dillon
1992
Gunsmoke: To the Last Man · as Matt Dillon
1990
Gunsmoke: The Last Apache · as Matt Dillon
1988
Red River · as Thomas Dunson
1987
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge · as Matt Dillon
1987
Bloopermania · as Cast
1987
1981
McClain's Law (TV Series) · as Det. Jim Mcclain
1979
The Horror Show · as (archive Footage)
1976
The Macahans · as Zeb Macahan
1976
How the West Was Won (TV Series) · as Zeb Macahan
1959
Alias Jesse James · as Marshal Matt Dillon (uncredited)
1956
Gun the Man Down · as Rem Anderson
1956
1955
Flame of the Islands · as Kelly Rand
1955
Gunsmoke (TV Series) · as Marshal Matt Dillon
1955
The Sea Chase · as Schlieter
1955
Many Rivers to Cross · as Esau Hamilton
1954
Her Twelve Men · as Ralph Munsey
1954
Them! · as Fbi Agent Robert Graham
1953
1953
Hondo · as Lennie
1953
The Veils of Bagdad · as Targut
1953
Island in the Sky · as Mac Mcmullen
1953
The Lone Hand · as Gus Varden
1952
Horizons West · as Tiny Mcgilligan
1952
Hellgate · as George Redfield
1952
Big Jim McLain · as Mal Baxter
1952
1952
Carbine Williams · as Leon Williams
1951
Iron Man · as Alex Mallick
1951
The People Against O'Hara · as John Fordman 'johnny' O'hara
1951
Double Crossbones · as Bullock
1951
Cavalry Scout · as Barth
1951
1951
Belle Le Grand · as Belle Admirer Mine Guard At Fire
1951
Two Lost Worlds · as Kirk Hamilton
1950
Wyoming Mail · as Russell
1950
The Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) · as Chuck Scott
1950
Stars in My Crown · as Rolfe Isbell (uncredited)
1950
In a Lonely Place · as Young Detective (uncredited)
1950
Sierra · as Little Sam (as Jim Arness)
1950
Wagon Master · as Floyd Clegg
1949
Battleground · as Garby
1949
The Lone Ranger (TV Series) · as Deputy Bud Titus
1948
The Man from Texas · as (uncredited)
1947
Roses Are Red · as Ray (as James Aurness)
1947
The Farmer's Daughter · as Peter Holstrom (as James Aurness)

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