James Arness: Short Biography, Net Worth & Career Highlights
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ส.ค. 2024
- Complete article: celebritynetwor...
James King Aurness was a Minneapolis, Minnesota-born American actor, best known for his role as Marshall Matt Dillion in the television series “Gunsmoke” beginning in the mid-1950s. Born to parents of Norwegian ancestry through his father, and German through his mother, James was raised in a middle-class family. He came into the world on 26 May 1923 and was active in the entertainment sector between 1947 and 1994; he passed away in 2011.
Once a domineering name in American television due to his impeccable acting skills, how wealthy was James at the time of his death? When James passed away he managed to die a multi-millionaire, as his net worth in 2011 was 10 million dollars, as estimated by celebrity dot money. Obviously the major source of his income was his successful career in acting, while his service in the military also added somewhat to his wealth.
James’ father was a businessman, and mother a journalist. Although he was not quite a bright student in his school, James matriculated from Minneapolis Washburn High School in 1942, and joined the military. His initial dream job was to be a naval fighter pilot, but his height being 6ft 7inches (2.01m) barred him from realizing his dream, so he served as a rifleman in the army during World War II, being wounded before he was honorably discharged at the end of the war, and this was when he found his inclination towards the entertainment industry.
As he started his acting career from 1947, he dropped “u” from Aurness to become James Arness. Debuting in the film “The Farmer’s Daughter”, he then appeared in movies including “The Thing From Another World”, “Carbine Williams”, “The Girl in White”, “The Lone Hand” and many more, before being cast in “Gunsmoke”. James became a star of the popular television drama from 1955 until 1975, appearing in 635 episode of this long-running western. With this television appearance, James became one of the most recognized actors in America, and his net worth was certainly boosted.
Apart from his iconic role in “Gunsmoke” which he reprised many times even after the series ended, James played roles in television dramas such as “How the West Was Won” - finding fame in European countries too with his role in this television series - and “McClain’s Law”. He also reprised the role of Marshall Matt Dillion in television movies such as “Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge”, “Gunsmoke II: The Last Apache”, and three more. Overall James starred in more than 40 films as well as his TV appearances.
For his contribution to the field of entertainment and acting, James was rewarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame, and Walk of Western Stars. Furthermore, James was nominated for Emmy Awards thrice during his acting career.
As for his personal life, James was married twice, firstly to Virginia Chapman in 1948, who was the mother to one of his sons. After their marriage ended in divorce in 1960, James married Janet Surtees in 1978, and she was with him until he died. While two of his children, a son and a daughter died untimely, this father of four died in his Los Angeles, California home on 3 June 2011 at the age of 88 years, and rests in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery.
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Still watch the old Gunsmoke episodes on INSP, MeTV & TVland ... James was the perfect "Matt Dillon". When it first came out, I was too young to stay up that late to watch it. My dad was a big fan though. So, I guess my fandom for the show is just a continuation of something my dad loved.
A big, big man from a time when simply right was right and wrong was wrong... Rest in peace brave man!
Legendary actor, brave war veteran, RIP, James Arness, your country thanks you.
Gun smoke is still the best show.
Not only a real hero on TV But a hero in real life Thanks James and Family 🙏❣️🙏
I have watched a lot of westerns and seen a lot of sheriffs and marshalls. James Arness gets my vote as the best law enforcement officer of any western.
I love gun smoke.watch every day.
Gunsmoke...my favorite western of all times ...my goal is to have the entire 20 seasons on dvd...im half way there !!!
James Arness was a great actor,we watched gun smoke all the time.
His bravery in real life i figure was why it was easy for him on screen to progect strength.. you dont hafe to act at it when you live it for real.. RIP james, may gods breath be to you're back threw the halls of eternity.. ty for the hours of entertainment, an inspiration i received watching you alll those years ..
Watch Gunsmoke everyday . Best show ever. James Arness you will never be forgotten nor will the whole cast of Gunsmoke. I wonder how many people know where the sayin “ Get out of Dodge” came from. Marshall Matt Dillion had no problem getting them to hit the road and “ Get out of Dodge” RIP Matt Dillion”
Gunsmoke is by far my favorite show, period. It's aired almost every day on INSP and if I'm unable to watch it, I Tevo it. Ironically, I'm watching it now! Thank you for your service and for your amazing shows!! RIParadise!!
I still watch Gunsmoke to this day ! I absolutely LOVE him & that show ! I will continue yo watch it until they take it off the air !!! He was one of the greatest actors of all time there's no doubt it ! about it
Loved the cumrodery they shared at Delmonicos on the early seasons!..so heartwarming --- and I love food
@@thomaskemer8109 same here I just loved it because they would just sit & have friendly conversations with each other and I’ll bet that food was good 😊
Best TV western hands down..!!
I love gunsmoke, especially the older ones with him and Chester. All 20 seasons were great though.
"Chester" was an ass-hole! Festus was much more believable and authentic in his role.
@@johnpierson3452- Please have some respect and speak kindly of the dead or just say nothing at all. James Arness wasn't happy when Dennis Weaver (Chester) left the show. That in itself says something good about Dennis Weaver.
Porque.no.pasan.las.pelicolas.en español.eran.mis.preferidas.la.ley del.Rebolber y Bonansa.conbate.que maravillas
I still watch the reruns of Gunsmoke. The older versions in the 50s & 60s
I've never seen, But saw the ones in the 70s as a kid.
I've got 12 seasons of Gunsmoke on DVD starting in 1955. I preferred the early episodes because there was more of a feeling of community among the core characters.
I also liked watching a young Dillon, although there was no Festes
Oh but Chester was cool too
Happy Birthday Mr. ARNESS!
You are Missed!
RIP.
I grew up watching gunsmoke with my grandma.. although I didn't really understand it.. I loved watching with her... now as an adult I love to watch it every day on reruns ...
I still watch him on Gunsmoke 4 or 5 days a week on Me TV at 1:00pm Eastern Time Monday thru Saturday.
John Young i do to watch it
My husband & I watch this every afternoon & evening we both love it especially James we've watched him since we were children in the fifties , he was a great role model for young people wish he were still here, children need a role model today, and they sure don't get it with today's garbage . James I know lives on in our memories & I'm sure many others as well, & I think that would make him very happy. God bless & RIP James
Linda Schutte I watched him when i was growing up also. I am 71 yrs old now. don't know where the time has gone.
My oldest granddaughter & grandson like James Arness and Gunsmoke. I watch my two youngest grandchildren on Saturdays ,they are 6 year old twins a boy & a girl. Bubby likes Gunsmoke.
Im glad you and your husband like it. I don't know very many women that like westerns. I think a lot say they don't , but they really do. If it is on they will sit and watch it. LOL
My oldest daughter likes westerns.
God bless you any yours.
I him on Me TV also. I am surprised that there are a few episodes I didn't se as a child. Gunsmoke was a family favorite in our home.
Love this man forever. Watch Gunsmoke every day. Watch his movies when they come on TCM. R.I.P Mr. Arness love you forever.😘😨😊💔❤️
Me too loved anything he was in.
Still watch today,2020.
I heard in rumors he was asked to appear on variety shows in the 60's in character as Dillion but turned them down since he didn't want to tarnish the characters image to be made fun of . If that's true , I respect that since once you make fun of yourself or the character you play it changes the audiences view of the actor and character .
In the mid 60's until it ended my mother--in-law wanted me to watch Gunsmoke with her. I never had an interest in it. I have since discovered it again on INSP and find it has a lot of life lessons in it. I try to never miss an episode. James Arness was the perfect actor to play Matt Dillon. RIP Mr. Arness and thank-you for the legacy you left behind.
In only 13 but I loved gunsmoke so much , Marshall Dillon was my hero and festus was always the one to make me laugh
Dodge City, KS has a statue in his honor
Although world famous for playing the heroic role of frontier Marshall Matt Dillion, it's less widely known that James Arness was also a real life battlefield hero; repeatedly decorated for bravery under fire.
Wikipedia confirmation of the above:-
"As a rifleman, he landed on Anzio Beachhead on January 22, 1944, with the 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. Arness - due to his height - was the first man to be ordered off his landing craft to determine the depth of the water; it came up to his waist. Arness was severely wounded in his right leg during the Battle of Anzio.
Arness was sent to the U.S Army 91st General Hospital in Clinton, Iowa, to be treated for his wounds. After undergoing several surgeries, he was honorably discharged on January 29, 1945. However, his wounds continued to bother him throughout the rest of his life; in later years he had to cope with chronic leg pain that often became acute, such as when he mounted horses during his performance on Gunsmoke. His military decorations include the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge."
In the 1950/60s, Marshall Dillion was as fine a role model as a small boy like me could ask for; and I grew up dreaming of being just like him. During my military service (and also later life) I used his example to keep me going during 'hard times'.
God Bless You 'Marshall Dillion' !
You may be gone, but you're certainly not forgotten !!!
cedric worthington broadaxe ,Very true, that's where his very real limp came from.
I watched Gunsmoke as a little girl with my Dad. I agree with you about him being a role model but I did not know all the information you just provided. Thank you for sharing. Wonderful news & very well written!
"Gunsmoke" - my favorite all time TV show for over 20 years, & still is!!! No, big Jim was NOT a "great actor", but was the perfect man to play Marshall Matt Dillon! He just fit the part to perfection! He evidentally never used drugs (illegally anyway!) & was the "man's man"! Nowadays most young kids never heard of Gunsmoke or James Aurness!!! What a great great loss for them!!! "Gesundheit"!!!
I grew up watching him play DILLION him and the whole cast brought the show to life,they could actually live then,i saw him in the horro picture THEM he was good then too,helluva man,had a good long life,rip MR AURNESS
Still watching Gunsmoke every evening. Love Matt.
He played a pretty good alien too in The Thing!. Lol!
What a great actor and awesome show-watch Gunsmoke all the time
So happy that I was born too on James Arness and John Wayne Birthdays May 26th grew up as a little girl watching GunSmoke my favorite show forever. Now my grandchildren watch it with me. Thank you for sharing this video and God Bless 🙏🏽 Thanks for the memories 🙏🏽🌹
Wonderful. We watched it as much as possible.
Nice, but he doesn't mention his younger brother was Peter Graves from Mission Impossible fame????
My favorite. Still watch the reruns.
Great actor, I still watch him everyday that I can work it in to my schedule, Matt and Festus , they are the ultimate pair,
What a great actor, I love gunsmoke.
I had no idea he was 6'7"!!! I always figured he was around 6'2" to 6'3". I always thought he was just slightly taller than the average person.
a common size still today back in Norway
And if he was in the WWE Vince McMahon would.bill him at 7 foot 2!
He was the tallest cowboy of all time
One of my favorite western shows
Mr James arness played the part of Marshall matt Dillon very well, at first they wanted john wayne to try out the part but john wayne told them no and he told them he had a great actor who would fit the part well, so they tried him out & bam he nailed the part well and that's the way actor jim arness became Marshall matt dillon in GUNSMOKE. 👍👍👍👍👍
I loved Gunsmoke I wish I could go back to those days.No hillary no maxine waters no nancy pelosi no obama just the good old days, when no one was above the law.
BEST Movie series ever was Macahan family. He was nr 1...
Always a huge fan! Love Gunsmoke!
Porque aquí en.mexicali.mexico.no.pasan.sus.pelicolas.es.como.Regresar años años 60 La.ley del Revolver.sienpre.las.Recuerdo.renia.cinco años pasaban la ley del Revolver y Bonanza..combate era la crema y nata de la televisión.Recuerdos.inolbidables.gracias por esas palabras de inglés y las traducen en español me parece.perfecto ese paso que dieron.saludes.para.todos
He was also in another scifi thriller called Them.
I believe that was his brother actor Peter Graves who was in Them, they do look similar in their early years
lovestheclassics69 No, he was in "Them" as well. I remember seeing him. Them! g.co/kgs/xYsG17
Love that guy! I have watched all of his shows and much more!
I always thought he was a mere 6'6" lol, but it mentions here he was 6'7"
He had a small bit memorable role in 1949's "Battleground" . Must see it !
Awesome actor love old gunsmoke RIP JAMES
I'm watching gunsmoke now 💓
Beloved.
This man was the shit in gun smoke r.i.p..
Simply one of the BEST !!!
He and his bro Peter Graves obviously had English blood too and James looks it.
That. is someone who should have. gotten. a Emmy drawing people in to Matt Dillon they wouldn't. have. gotten. anything if he wouldn't. have done a great job
Huh?
Not to mention his film debut was the creature in the 1951 sci-fi movie "The Thing From Another World"!
also Them.
That was James Whitmore not James Arness!
@@Barnabas45 He was in both movies. Them and The Thing!.
Ps my therapy once a month staying up 2days watching Gunsmoke on the big screen since I refuse to watch sports after they refuse to test veteran and old people but they had to basketball player such a disgrace during the corona virus
Why didn’t the dude bring up the fact that Peter Graves of Mission Impossible TV series was his brother? 😱
Brother to Peter Graves.
The real story that this clip brushed aside is this:. How do you have a career like his and die in 2011 with only ten million dollars to your name.
A true American hero in every sense! kids nowadays need more people like James to be their role model. I feel nobody can put a value on a human life. As far as what they say he was worth, I feel is an insult for all this great man contributed to our country, and for all the wonderful entertainment he provided on screen. R.I.P. James Arness❤️
Im pretty sure $10 million was more than enough for him. He was famous before salaries for TV shows went through the roof. You know. Back in the 50s and 60s....
The pay he received in the era of TV was very high. In Today's world, actors are ridiculously overpaid for garbage.
He was a great man. If he were paid like those actors today, he would be worth $10 BILLION.
A magnificient Actor like his brother.
I love Matt Dillon..
James and Clint Eastwood are my two favorite Western actors
In the early 50's he played the part of the Thing, in the movie The Thing.
Ypepsp, he did! Few people know that.
Yes
Read "The Thing", by John Campbell. It is a short story in many science fiction collections from the 50s.
Didn't he pass away, why say anything about worth, he couldn't take his wealth with him in death! May James Cain Arness RIP🙏
A true gentleman
A true gentle giant
You should have his brother in this bio.
Four months shy of his 21st birthday, James King Aurness of Minneapolis, Minn., was waiting anxiously with fellow soldiers, standing on one of the U.S. Army’s WWII landing barges of the U.S. 3rd Army Infantry Division on January 22, 1944 as it forged its way to shore. They were heading to the beach at Anzio, where they faced immediate, horrendous, German Army resistance. Because Jim was 6-foot-7-inches tall, this young Army Private was ordered into the water first, determining its depth for the others. In his autobiography, Jim described it as being “waist high” as he stormed ashore dodging bullets and wounded men falling around him.
Anzio, located 30 miles south of Rome, was one of the deadliest battles of WWII. Anzio Beach was a stretch of sand 15 miles long and 7 miles deep. The infamous battle of Anzio lasted from January 22, 1944 to May 29, 1944. The British 1st Infantry Division landed north of Anzio. The 6615th Ranger Force attacked the port, while the 3rd Army Infantry Division landed south of town. By midnight, history books say that “36,000 men landed, securing a beachhead 2-3 miles deep.”
Seriously wounded in the assault by German machine-gun fire in his knee and lower leg, Jim earned the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for bravery under fire. It took 18 months recovery and rehabilitation time in military hospitals before being honorably discharged and sent home.
Jim, like thousands of other WWII veterans, enrolled in college, using the GI Bill benefits to get his education. A graduate of Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., he got a job at WLOL in Minneapolis in 1945. Later, he headed to California, trying to break into the movie business as a stuntman or actor. He dropped the “u” in his family name and became James Arness. With his good looks, good voice, education and radio experience, he landed a film part in 1947, playing the role of Loretta Young’s brother.
John Wayne became his close friend and mentor. James Arness signed a contract with Wayne’s company, BATJAC, in the early 50s and played in four films with him. They shared the same straight-forward manner, the same honesty, and the same May 26th birthday. Arness was offered the part of Dodge City’s Marshall Matt Dillon in “Gunsmoke,” an adult TV western. His agent and friends advised him to turn it down.
But not John “Duke” Wayne, whose advice Arness highly respected. Duke told him to “take the part,” saying it would be a good opportunity for him to learn his craft. Wayne promised Jim he’d introduce him on the first TV show, and Arness “could take it from there.” True to his word, John Wayne, on September 10, 1955, introduced Jim, by saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is a new western TV show called ‘Gunsmoke,’ and there is only one man who could play the part. He’s a young fella and I’m proud to present James Arness as Marshall Matt Dillon in ‘Gunsmoke.’ You’ll get used to him like you got used to me all these years.”
The show lasted for 20 years before it was cancelled by TV executives. But it continues on screen today, on CD’s and television reruns, 56 years after it first aired on TV, and is enjoyed daily on the Encore network by thousands of new and old fans. He made other films over the years, but he is most remembered as Marshall Matt Dillon.
“Gunsmoke” had good writers and the perfect cast who worked well together, and liked one another both onstage and off. The TV audience sensed that. Beautiful actress Amanda Blake played “Miss Kitty Russell,” who ran the boarding house saloon, where she took care of “her girls.” Fans wrote in and asked if Matt and Miss Kitty were ever going to marry. Arness and the writers thought it would make a whole different story, which they didn’t want. This also kept the home audiences guessing and watching each show, while the fan mail poured in.
Milburn Stone played “Doc Adams,” a no-nonsense, doctor who was expected to patch up every bullet hole and deliver every baby. Actor Dennis Weaver was a sympathetic “Chester,” the Marshall’s stiff-legged deputy who limped his way around the dirt streets of Dodge City, trying his best to keep up with Matt, or engaging Doc in an argument. There was nothing wrong with Dennis’ leg. It was his idea to add the limp to his character role. After nine years, actor Dennis Weaver left the show for other successful movie roles.
Colorado actor, Ken Curtis played “Festus Haggen,” replacing Weaver on the show as the Marshall’s new deputy. Ken established his own identity using the twangy speech of a dry-land Kansas farmer. Curtis was a big band singer, had sung with the Sons of the Pioneers, and had played in several John Ford movies, including “The Searcher.”
And then there was honest, sensible and trustworthy “Matt Dillon,” played by handsome James Arness who, as the U.S. Marshall, always won every gunfight. In private life, he was a practical joker. One day, he decided to fool his fellow actors and the director on the set. He put a blood capsule in his mouth and in a shooting scene where he stood tall in the street with his guns drawn, facing down the “bad guy,” two guns were fired. This time, Jim bit down on the blood capsule and fell down as though he was shot. Blood spewed out of his mouth, scaring his fellow actors because NOBODY shoots and kills Marshall Dillon.
His brother was Peter Graves (Peter Duesler Aurness 1926 - 2010).
Mission Impossible.
Love Gunsmoke look at all the reruns
James the best Western Marshall all times
Class act !!!
I just finished all 5 seasons of Rifleman and have been trying to find all 20 seasons of Gunsmoke! Does anyone know where I can find them on the internet? Thank you in advance!!
I have always idolized him
They don’t make them like that anymore, for sure
He really looks like his brother, Peter Graves.
A real man. Resting well
Great actor. Gunsmoke is on cable watch it everyday. The era of great actors is going by. I wish someone would come up with a western series. These shit shows on now isn't worth watching.
That's for sure. Too much PC.
Mi actor favorito in the west 2021
CUT THE "SO CALLED BACKGROUND MUSIC" ON THIS VIDEO, TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!! IT INTERFERES WITH WHAT THE ANNOUNCER IS TELLING US!!!!!!!!!! THE SOONER THE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jeez,,,,grow up ...i mean really ...you are not that simple minded ...are you?
Watching him on INSP channel everyday
The music was so loud I can't hear the narrator ......Bunk..!
Mathew!!!!
Background Music is way too Loud !!!
twww.imdb.com/title/tt0095965/
tribute leaves out his early career role in Red River
correction: later career role (1988)
That there is no mention of how he tried to sabotage the career of his brother Peter Graves (Mission Impossible) is a major defect of this video.
those beautiful eyes !!! yummy,,,,,,,
Music not necessary
ko
And a disabled veteran.
As was Art Carney.