United States
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James Arness
Minneapolis, United States
Archival Overview
Towering 6-foot-7 American actor and decorated World War II veteran who starred as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for twenty seasons, one of television's longest-running roles.
Biographical Record
James King Aurness was severely wounded during the Allied invasion of Anzio in 1944, earning the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Recommended by his close friend John Wayne, he was cast in 1955 as Marshal Matt Dillon in CBS's television western 'Gunsmoke'.
Arness embodied the stoic lawman of Dodge City across 635 episodes over two decades, making 'Gunsmoke' the defining classic of American television westerns. He also starred in the title monster role of Howard Hawks' science fiction classic 'The Thing from Another World' (1951) and the epic miniseries 'How the West Was Won'.
Key Life Milestones
Debut as Marshal Matt Dillon
Premiered in Gunsmoke, launching a historic twenty-year run as the embodiment of frontier justice.
Western Performers Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialGlendale, United States