Bio: American leading man famed as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness, had formerly 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. 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 hospital in Clinton, Iowa, Arness 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 to find work as a film extra. Arness 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, and Arness became sort of beach bum, living on the shore at San Onofre and spending his days surfing. He began taking his acting career more seriously when he began to receive fan mail following the release of the Young picture. He appeared in a production of "Candida" at the Pasadena Community Playhouse, and married his leading lady, Virginia Chapman. She pressed him to study acting and to work harder in pursuit of a career, but Arness has been consistent in ascribing his success to luck. He began to act small roles with frequency, often due to his size, and mostly 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. His portrayal of stalwart Marshal Dillon became an iconic figure in American television and the series, aired for 20 seasons, is, as of 2008, the longest-running dramatic series in U.S. television history. Arness became world-famous and years later reprized the character in a series of TV movies.After the surprising cancellation of "Gunsmoke" in 1975, Arness jumped immediately into another successful (though much shorter-lived) Western project, a TV-movie-miniseries-series combination known as "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.Following the aforementioned "Gunsmoke" TV movies (the last in 1994, when Arness was 71), Arness basically retired. His marriage to Virginia Chapman ended in divorce in 1960. They had three children, one of whom, Jenny Lee, committed suicide in 1975. Arness subsequently married Janet Surtrees in 1978.
Tivia: Had to dye his naturally blond hair for the role of Matt Dillon, since dark hair was considered more masculine.He was the only actor to appear in all 635 episodes of Gunsmoke (1955).In 1968, he donated his 1,400-acre ranch in northern Los Angeles County to the Brandis Institute.His best friend and younger brother Peter Graves, passed away on March 14, 2010, just four days before his 84th birthday.Very, very often during his career, this huge actor was surrounded by co-stars standing on apple boxes or had to perform standing in a ditch just so he could be in a shot.On 6/20/05 he was honored at Los Angeles City Hall by the mayor, the 15 City Council members and the City Attorney with a resolution honoring his life's work as an actor and 60-year resident of Los Angeles. The colorful resolution included a depiction of a US Marshal's badge and a salute to his work as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955) and its over-20-year duration as television's longest-running drama series. It also recalled his heroism during World War II and thanked him for "leaving us with one of the most telling and realistic portraits ever created of the brave, tall man in the saddle who tames a western town as he searches for justice and peace." Arness called it "the most wonderful day in his life" and says the resolution is now framed and in a prominent place in his home. He received a standing ovation that morning.Honorary US Marshal, "in recognition of his unique contribution to the image and traditions of the U.S. Marshal's Service".According to an article on television westerns in "Time" magazine (3/30/59), Arness stood 6' 7", weighed 235 lbs, and had chest-waist-hips measurements of 48-36-36. However, he usually gave his own height as 6' 6" in interviews.He and Kelsey Grammer both hold the record for playing the same character the longest (20 years). However, since the length of television seasons was longer between 1955-75, it results in 635 episodes as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955) for Arness and only 467 as Dr. Frasier Crane (on Cheers (1982) and Frasier (1993)) for Grammer.Made four movies with his close friend John Wayne during the 1950s. He was also originally cast in Rock Hudson's role opposite Wayne in The Undefeated (1969). Wayne personally recommended Arness for the lead role in Gunsmoke (1955), and filmed an introduction for the first episode.He was said to be somewhat self-conscious about his stature and quite happy when they took measures to obscure his towering height while filming Gunsmoke (1955).After his last role in the episode Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994), he retired from acting at age 71.He attended public schools and graduated from West High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1942. He studied for a year at Beloit College in Wisconsin before he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II as an infantryman. During the invasion of Anzio, Italy in 1944, his right leg was shattered by machine-gun fire, resulting in his losing part of his foot. He was hospitalized for a year and underwent surgeries to correct his leg, which left a limp. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his services. His injury made it difficult for him to walk for extended stretches. When shooting movies or television shows, any scenes that required extensive walking would be shot early in the morning, before his feet and knees started giving out.He and his brother Peter Graves never acted onscreen together; however, Graves did direct Arness in the episode Which Dr. (1966).Did not attend the premiere of The Thing from Another World (1951) because he found his role as the Thing embarrassing. He often remarked that he felt his make up as "The Thing" made him look like a giant carrot.Following his death, he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011, just one week after he celebrated his 88th birthday.Despite the fact that he was friends with Robert Fuller and James Drury, he did not appear on any episodes of other series, because Warner Bros. would not lend its contract players to competitors.Inducted (as a cast member of Gunsmoke (1955)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981.Became US Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955) after John Wayne suggested Arness play the role (contrary to legend, Wayne himself was never offered the role).Fought in the United States Army during World War II, taking part in the landing at Anzio, Italy, where he was wounded. He received the Bronze Star; the Purple Heart; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars; the World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.Was in the 3rd Infantry Division at the time as Audie Murphy. Murphy was in the 15th Infantry Regiment and Arness was in the 7th Infantry Regiment. Both regiments landed at Sicily and Anzio. Arness was wounded at Anzio and sent back to the United States for treatment and discharge.His status as a Republican disappointed Lady Bird Johnson, who was a huge fan of Gunsmoke (1955).Confirmed in a 2001 interview that he is completely retired from acting because he no longer has the stamina for acting.Father of Jenny Lee Arness (born May 23, 1950) and Rolf Aurness (born February 18, 1952), with Virginia Chapman. He also adopted her son from her first marriage, Craig (born 1946).Before he was a successful actor, he was a radio announcer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.His daughter Jenny Lee Arness committed suicide on 5/12/75.He is survived by his wife, Janet Surtees of Brentwood, Los Angeles, California; son, Rolf Arness; stepson, Jim Surtees; six grandchildren, and a great grandchild. His adopted son, Craig, passed away in 2004 and his daughter Jenny passed away in 1975.He had a lifelong affiliation with the Methodist church.Had appeared in one film nominated for Best Picture Oscar: Battleground (1949).He married Virginia Chapman and adopted her son, Craig, by a previous marriage. They had daughter, Jenny Arness and son, Rolf Arness.Had many times sailed with Buddy Ebsen.Began his career as a contract player for Batjac Productions--John Wayne's production company--(1952).Gunsmoke (1955) shut down production for four days in early December 1958 because Arness had burned his eyes at home while under his sunlamp.Held the record for the longest continuous role portrayed by a single actor (20 years) on prime-time television (for Marshal Matt Dillon on the CBS western Gunsmoke (1955)), until Kelsey Grammer (Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers (1982) and Frasier (1993)) tied the record in 2004 (at 20 years).He never played the lead male role in a theatrical movie, only on the various televised incarnations of Gunsmoke (1955). In his theatrical films, he usually acted along tall leading men such as John Wayne, Robert Ryan and Jeff Chandler.Best remembered by the public for his starring role as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955).Kelsey Grammer once told this story: upon breaking the record of an actor longest in a television character, Grammer telephoned Arness to discuss a plan of having a public relations presser to announce a "passing of the torch" between Arness (as Marshal Matt Dillon) and Grammar (as Dr. Frasier Crane). After Grammar discussed his idea, Arness said nothing and hung up the phone.Although they never married, he had a long-term relationship and resided with actress Thordis Brandt.Was rightly touted as the tallest leading man in Hollywood, although this title has since been taken by other stars, mainly basketball players turned "actors".He was a longtime resident of the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, California with his second wife, Janet Surtees.His ex-wife, Virginia Chapman, passed away on July 29, 1977, at age 56.Attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. Was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.His friendship with John Wayne ended in 1959 when Arness failed to show up for an arranged meeting for a role in "The Alamo". Wayne felt Arness had deliberately snubbed his film, and never really forgave him.He was the son of Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler who divorced in the 1940s.He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1751 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.He never appeared in a theatrical film after 1959.One of Harry Morgan's sons was the friend of one of his children. One of Morgan's sons spent the night at his ranch.