James Arness, Star of Gunsmoke, Dies at 88

[Teh One Who Knocks]

People Magazine




James Arness, the strapping Western star who played Marshal Matt Dillon in TV's long-running Gunsmoke, died Friday at age 88.

The actor, who also appeared in more than 30 films, died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles, family spokesman Ginny Fazer tells the Los Angeles Times.

A Minnesota native and brother of Mission: Impossible star Peter Graves, Arness was a World War II combat veteran. He originally wanted to be a naval fighter pilot, but his 6-foot-7 frame exceeded the 6-foot-2 limit for the cockpit.

After working as a radio announcer in Minnesota, he moved to Los Angeles and got his acting break in 1947 in The Farmer's Daughter with Loretta Young.

He befriended John Wayne, who helped him get the role in Gunsmoke after Wayne turned down the part.

Gunsmoke debuted in 1955, ran for 20 years and inspired five TV movies.

[Arkady Renko]

I loved that series when I was a kid, that guy gave me quite a few hours of excellent entertainment. Thabks man, rest i peace!

[PapaZ]

He gave me many hours of great TV watching as a kid, too... did ya know he was the Thing in "The Thing from Another World (1951)"?

[Arkady Renko]

no, I had to look it up. His other big screen starring role was pretty awesome, too. Them! giant ants and whatnot...I only realized just now how tall he actually was. I always thought he was usually filmed at a favourable angle to make hi look taller, but he really was 6'7" or so. Quite unusual, particularly at the time.

[Noilly Pratt]

I loved Gunsmoke as a kid. James Arness was a great actor. Just watch the opening before it says "Gunsmoke" and see him shoot a bad guy - He had both satisfaction and regret in his eyes.