James Arness was a legendary movie star. He was the lead actor in such movies as “Gunsmoke,” “Father Knows Best,” and “The Great Escape.” His career spanned more than half a century. He married actress Virginia Chapman and raised two children. However, despite the success of his career, he died of an accidental gunshot in 1997.
Life
James Arness is an American actor who starred in a long-running TV show, Gunsmoke. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His mother was a newspaper columnist and his father was a businessman.
In 1943, he joined the US Army. When he returned to the United States, he hitchhiked to Hollywood. He landed a part in several Westerns. But his career really started when he met John Wayne.
Arness became friends with Wayne, who recommended him for a role in Gunsmoke. The two worked together in several films.
After his stint in the army, Arness returned to Hollywood to pursue his career. He appeared in a series of science-fiction movies, as well as some Westerns.
In his later years, he began to date Janet Surtees. They had a son named Craig. But they divorced in 1963.
Career
James Arness was a famous American actor. He appeared in a number of science fiction and western films in the 1950s, and became known for playing the Marshal Matt Dillon in the television show Gunsmoke. The character has become an icon in U.S. culture, and his run on the show is unmatched.
A veteran of World War II, Arness was wounded in the Battle of Anzio, Italy. After being treated in a hospital, he was severely injured by enemy machine gun fire. He was eventually awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Following the war, Arness went to work as a radio announcer in the Twin Cities, and he got his first acting job in the film The Farmer’s Daughter. He also worked with John Wayne on the film Hondo. However, the relationship between the two actors didn’t last.
Marriage to Virginia Chapman
During his lifetime, James Arness married two women, Virginia Chapman and Janet Surtees. He also dated Thordis Brandt for six years. In addition to his acting career, he also worked as a carpenter.
When he was about nine years old, he suffered a fracture in his skull. His mother died, and he was adopted by his father, James Arness. After his parents divorced, he drifted around Mexico for a while. But when he returned to Los Angeles, he decided to become an actor.
He had a short career as a radio announcer, and then he began to act. He was cast in some small roles, such as the title character in Them! and the gypsy in Gunsmoke.
As his acting career flourished, Arness’s marriage to Chapman deteriorated. They separated in 1963. A year later, they divorced again.
Gunsmoke
James Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in a family of Norwegian descent. After World War II, he moved to Los Angeles.
Arness starred in a number of Western films. He was a big man, at 6 feet 7 inches. Initially, he considered becoming a naval pilot. His height didn’t stop him from getting the role of Matt Dillon on “Gunsmoke”.
Gunsmoke was a popular radio show that was transferred to television. The series ran for 20 seasons and 635 episodes. It was the longest-running dramatic series in network history.
During the show’s run, Marshal Matt Dillon was portrayed as a lawman with a firm belief in justice. He was also a stoic character.
For his performance, Arness earned three Emmy nominations. He also got a Bronze Star for his service during World War II.
Net worth
James Arness was a famous actor. His credits include Gunsmoke, How the West Was Won, and The Thing from Another World. He also received a few acting awards.
James Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 26, 1923. During his lifetime, he was married to Virginia Chapman and Janet Surtees.
Arness started his career in radio, and later, as a film extra in Hollywood. A spry 88 years old when he passed away, he was known to have a sizable estate.
He was nominated for an Emmy award, and he had a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was also a respected soldier of the Second World War. Some of his awards included a Bronze Star, a Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Golden Boot Award.
