James Arness was an American actor best known for the role he played as Marshall Matt Dillion in the CBS television series, Gunsmoke.
James Arness (born James King Aurness) was born on May 26 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Rolf Cirkler Aurness ( a businessman) and Ruth Duesler (a journalist). Rolf Cirkler Aurness is a Norwegian while Ruth Duesler is a German.
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James Arness attended the John Burroughs Grade School, Washburn High School and West High School in Minneapolis and graduated from High School in June 1942.
In March 1943, James Arness was drafted into the US Army as a rifleman and he reported to Fort Snelling, Minnesota. On January 22, 1944 James Arness landed on Anzio Beachhead with the 2nd Platoon, E Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Infantry Division. During the battle of Anzio, James Arness was severely injured in his right leg, leading to his medical evacuation from Italy to the U.S., where he was sent to the 91st General Hospital in Clinton, Iowa. After undergoing several surgeries without recovering fully, James Arness was honorably discharged from the Army on January 29, 1945.
After being discharged from the US Army, James Arness enrolled at the Beloit College in Wisconsin. James Arness began his entertainment career as a radio announcer at Minneapolis station WLOL in 1945.
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It was not long before James Arness landed his first movie, starring as Loretta Young’s (Katie Holstrom) brother, Peter Holstrom, in The Farmer’s Daughter. James Arness alsoappeared in two science fiction films; The Thing From Another World and Them!. James Arness also starred in the 1988 TV remake of Wayne’s 1948 classic Red River.
John Arness hit the limelight for playing the role of Marshall Matt Dillon in the CBS Television Series Gunsmoke which run for two decades. After Gunsmoke ended, James Arness performed in Western-themed movies and television series, including How the West Was Won, and in five made-for-television Gunsmoke movies between 1987 and 1994.
James Arness Net Worth
James Arness has a net worth of $8 million.
James Arness Wife
James Arness married Virginia Chapman in 1948. James Arness and Virginia Chapman gave birth to a son, Rolf, (born February 18, 1952) and a daughter, Jenny Lee Arness (May 23, 1950 – May 12, 1975). However, in 1963, James Arness divorced Virginia Chapman.
In 1978, James Arness married Janet Surtees and she remained with him before his death.
James Arness Death
James Arness died of natural cases at the age of 88 at his Brentwood Home in Los Angeles on June 3 2011.
Source: abtc.ng