His role as marshall Matt Dillon made him an iconic hero to millions all over the world. Regarding James Arness personal life, well, the actor has been married twice. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live a life with minimal tragic incidents. James Arness was best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon for two decades on CBS Gunsmoke. In the latter seasons of "Gunsmoke," Arness met what would become his second wife, Janet Surtees. ALSO SEE: Hulk Hogan Visit article bio. James had completed his education at Minneapolis Washburn high school. In 1943, James received his draft notice, joining the army and training. The series ran for two decades from 1955 to 1975. Image date May 4, 1957.| Source: Getty Images. For the whole 20 years the series was on the air from 1955 until 1975, he appeared in an impressive 605 of 635 episodes, according to IMBD . April 22, 1955| Source: Getty Images. Jamess make-up artist on the set of Gunsmoke married the woman who owned the clothing store. (Arness would later say that Matt's only onscreen kiss was in that episode, "Matt's Love Story," but Kitty did in fact kiss him once.) . Born James King Aurness, his father was a traveling salesman, his mother was a newspaper columnist. But, his role as Zeb Macahan in "How The West Was Won" sealed him as a television icon in the United States and Europe. Both his letter and his love story prove that James Arness was not just a gritty actor. Why dont you come over and meet him? All Rights Reserved. Arness' 20-year, prime-time run as the marshal was tied only in recent times, by Kelsey Grammer's 20 years . 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"We were introduced to each other, we sat down, and Jim was so friendly he was just so down-to-earth, and my nervousness went away. The actor passed away at the age of 88 in Los Angeles, at his Brentwood home. He was one of the tallest leading men of his era. On the other hand, the movies, he had appeared on as well in the entertainment industry. He also played the title character in The Thing From Another World and starred in Them! The big thing with the show was that we had a lot of really fine actors, and more than that, we had started out with great writing., The two gentlemen who originated the show you know, it was on the radio for two or three years before they brought it to television John Meston was the man who conceived the idea of the whole thing. During an interview, Janet opened up about the night she met James. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother . Since she was already familiar with his profession, she decided to talk about her own. And here comes this huge man through the door, I was like, oh my gosh. She would later admit that she lost him to his work, describing him as a comet that left her lonely on earth. The two later got divorced in 1960 after having two children; Rolf and Jenny. Stephen Greif Cause Of Death: When Stephen Greif Passed Away? Gunsmoke originated as a radio drama series in 1952 and was translated to television three years later, in 1955. Arness yet served as a rifleman during the Infantry Division in the 3rd range within the United States. Its a lot of fun to watch. Arness has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) and four more made-for-television Gunsmoke films in the 1990s. He wrote, I decided to write a letter to you for Janet to post on our website in the event I was no longer here. James Arness was born as James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Reuters reports that Arness passed away in Los Angeles, California, on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88, for unspecified reasons. var qs = Object.keys(params).reduce(function(a, k){ a.push(k + '=' + encodeURIComponent(params[k])); return a},[]).join(String.fromCharCode(38)); He went to John Burroughs Grade School, Washburn High School, and West High School in Minneapolis. But there was one person in particular that James wanted to thank most his wife, Janet. James father, Rolf Cirkler Aurness was a business person, and his mother, Ruth Duesler was a journalist. James Arness, famous as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, "Gunsmoke," was born to Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler Graves. He was 88. Before his death, he penned a letter that expressed his deep feelings for her, his fans, and his family. However, after one magical date, James didnt call Janet for three months! He had a son, Rolf, and daughter, Jenny, with Chapman. Their longest marriage was 33 years to Janet Surtees. Like his daughter, Arness's first wife, Chapman, died of a drug overdose in 1977, two years after the couple's daughter passed away. Moreover, he had also won the Golden Boot Award. But my son was a really big fan of Gunsmoke and was watching it every Monday night. Your email address will not be published. His former wife Virginia also died of a drug overdose in 1977. And his mothers name is Ruth Duesler who was from Germany and was a journalist by the profession. It aired for 20 seasons and made him and other actors in it world-famous. Arness was a respected soldier of World War II. Following those events,Arness divorced her in1963, ending their marriage of 15 years. James flew Janet back later that day. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. Let's have a look at the details of his death, his multiple married life, his numerous children, as well as the loved ones he lost. They had tied the knot in 1948. Gunsmoke: Meet Marshal Matt Dillon Actor James Arness Second Wife Janet Surtees. However, after 15 years of marriage, James and Virginia had a divorce, and James was granted legal custody of their children. Janet described meeting Arness after he had already begun filming Gunsmoke in an interview with A Word on Westerns. How many times was James Arness married? Inside the marriage of Janet and her Late Husband James Arness. Moreover, in theEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, he won three bronze battle stars. Gunsmoke actor James Arness died on 3rd June 2011, leaving behind a letter he wanted to be released after his death. Moreover, He was the tallest leading man in Hollywood by the time. The actor died in his sleep at his home in Brentwood, Calif., according to his business manager, Ginny Fazer. At the time of his death, he had an estimated net worth of $8 million US dollars. Jim used to enjoy going to this grocery store and spending money. Furthermore, Gunsmoke earned him three nominations for the Primetime Emmys. James had a rich background as he was of Norwegian, German, and English descent. The pair divorced in 1963, leaving him with legal custody of their children. ', Your email address will not be published. I had a wonderful life and was blessed with so many loving people and great friends. Arness adopted Chapmans son Craig, who died in 2004. Their love was genuine, and it endured until his demise at the age of 88. He served in the Battle of Anzio during World War II. 5 Great And Criminally Underrated Westerns. So, basically, the most romantic date ever. The. James had a stint in performing onstage when he was young, but later on, he expressed little interest in pursuing a career out of it and heeded the call of the seas instead. James Arness Net Worth. Arnesss bio stated he had 6 feet 7 inches tall. When Arnesss entertainment career took off, he struggled to maintain a healthy balance between work and family life. They also adopted her son Craig (1946-December 14, 2004). Both Janet and James Arness were pretty private people. However, her sons love for Gunsmoke convinced her to go. Arness' remained with his second wife until his death in 2011. James Stewart. After appearing on The Farmers Daughter, Arness dropped the u in his name and would be credited as James Arness for the rest of his life. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. James Arness with his first wife Virginia Chapman To know all the details about James Arnesss life including his bio, wiki, net worth, salary, and personal life, read this article till the end. Virginia Chapman for 12 years, and Janet Surtees for 33 years. This included the deaths of his daughter and ex-wife merely two years apart. However, James was a friendly giant. Arness could rest easy knowing that he will forever be associated with the Wild West thanks to the shows lasting rerun success. She died in 1977 from a drug overdose, following her daughter's death two years prior on the same cause. He and Peter participated in the Second World War, but unfortunately, he didn't leave the battlefield uninjured. His unexpected act of generosity left a lasting impression on her. Furthermore, James' brother, a well-known Misson: Impossible actor Peter Graves died of a heart attack on 14th March 2010. Rolf was a Norwegian and his wife, Ruth was a journalist. Arness later found love inThordis Brand. Arness married his first wife, Virginia Chapman, in 1948, which was 7 years before he started playing Matt Dillon. Arness achieved cult status thanks to his portrayal of Zeb Macahan in the western series titledHow the West Was Won. He used to reside in a million dollars house in Los Angeles, California. Many of you met her at Dodge City so you understand what a special person she is.. That was too bad, because we were on two hours every night, seven days a week.. Janet was working for a clothing store owned by the wife of Jims make-up artist. James Arness: Rumors, Controversy/Scandal. Actor James Arness (right) with his brother, actor Peter Graves.| Source: Getty Images. He initially worked as a courier for a jewelry wholesaler as a high school student. His nationality is American. Additionally, the only source of his earning was his acting career. Actor. With his second spouse, James shared four children. The star, James Arness was married twice in his life. After appearing in numerous television series and movies, James earned a pretty good amount as his salary. He did most or all the radio shows, and then when it came to television, he did most of those for the first couple of years, Arness later explained. Arness Became Famous In Hollywood In 1955 | Source: Getty Images. Arness adopted Chapman's son Craig, who died in 2004. At first, Janet was skeptical about meeting James, a television star, but since her son was a fan of his, she tried and took that leap of fate. World War II soldier turned actor James Arness had trouble finding meaty roles due to his height; his greatest was as the title monster in The Thing from Another World before the show premiered (1951). James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011 at the age of 88 in Brentwood, California. The next day he called her and asked if she wanted to go to Mammoth Lakes, and she said yes. Incredibly, although he played a Western hero for most of his life, the leg injury made it impossible for him to ride a horse. But fate stepped in. They tied the knot in 1978 and lived in Brentwood, Los Angeles. However, in 1971, he was forced to temporarily leave the show for just a handful of episodes because he had to undergo heart surgery after suffering a heart attack. Marshal Matt Dillon on the popular Western series that aired for a then-record 20 seasons on television He was an infantryman and was wounded in the battle of Anzio, Italy, but his brother was posted to the Army Air Force which later became a separate branch of the U.S. military. He had blue-colored eyes and blonde-colored hair. They had been together for six years. He met her four yearsafter his divorce fromChapman and dated herfor six years. Arness stood 6-foot-7, making him one of the tallest leading men of his era. And shes an avid humanitarian. His autobiography titledJames Arness: An Autobiographywas released in September of 2001. He stars in the CBS television western, Gunsmoke. James has been known for the role throughout his career, which is why the subsequent projects he starred in are linked to it. Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other James Arness fans! Turns out, Janets son was a huge fan of Gunsmoke. Surtees was reluctant, but her son was a "Gunsmoke" fan, so she went just so she could tell him she had met his favorite actor. Celeb Couples with Huge Age Gaps Who Prove Age Is Just a Number with Love, Hoda Kotb's Fans Raise Concern over Her Cryptic Post amid Absence from 'Today' Show, John Francis Bongiovi Sr Is Jon Bon Jovi's Father Who Has Always Been Supportive of His Career, James MacArthur Called Wife of 25 Years Hard Boiled Yet Their Marriage Was Better than Anything', Inside Dick Van Dyke & Decades Younger Wifes Home Where He Shows off Routine He Says Will Get Him to 100, James Garner Became 'Greatest Father' after Adopting Wife's Child despite Being Unloved by His Stepmom. It was a wonderful thing. He served in the United States Army for two years from 1943 to 1945. I had the privilege of working with so many great actors over the years. I guess people just had to get used to it, he said. Their marriage lasted 15 years until they divorced in 1963. + qs; Luckily, Janet didnt hold a grudge and the two went on a second date. He can also be spotted in John Fords underrated Wagon Master. But Janet was hesitant at first. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California. Janet revealed that he was very polite and friendly. The two spent the entire night talking and at the end of the night, James asked Janet for her phone number. Furthermore, he was also nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Awards thrice. He started acting in an amateur theater; then, he caught the eye of an agent who linked him up with producer Dore Schary, who gave him a few roles in 1947. The tragedy does not stop there. But I never met him. But information about her mother isnt available in the media. Required fields are marked *. She was nervous about having dinner with the actor, but they ended up getting along great. In the letter, James thanks all of his fans for cheering him on throughout his career. He also became the adoptive father to Virginia's son Craig. Arness died from natural causes at his home in Los Angeles on June 3, 2011, a family spokesman said at the time. They were character study shows, Arness once told the Associated Press. Yes, he was tall, handsome, polite, and a famous actor, but he dropped the ball after a super romantic date with his future wife, Janet Surtees. | Source: Getty Images. com for more However, they didn't get married or have children from their relationship. James Arness Had Two Relationships Afterward Arness later found love in Thordis Brand. (AP Photo/Scott Harms) James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over . Arness portrayed the iconic role of US Marshall Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. Despite the glamorous life behind the scenes, James had a pretty complicated life leading to her divorce, up until his marriage to his second wife, who became his life-long partner until the very end. James's make-up artist on the set of Gunsmoke married the woman who owned the clothing store. { For some, the tragedies never seem to stop and they keep compounding in every phase of their lives. James Arness was married twice in his life. What Happened To Patty Duke? James Arness enjoyed a wonderful professional career but the same can't be said of his personal life where he prematurely lost so many people he loved before he inevitably passed away himself. Some of his films include The Farmers Daughter, Roses are red, Man from Texas, Stars in My Crown, Flame of the Islands, and Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge. d: "YWxsc3RhcmJpby5jb20=", On the other hand, Craig pursued photography and became an official photographer for National Geographic. Talking about his movies, he appeared in different movies, some of them include The Farmers Daughter, Iron Man, Hondo, The Sea Chase, The First Traveling Saleslady, and many more. Late actor James Drury was wed three times, but the love of his life will always be his third wife, Carl Ann Drury. He tried to make ends meet by taking up menial jobs while collecting veteran benefits as he drifted towards Hollywood. In 1978, Arness wed Janet Surtees for the second time. After Being Caught For A Previous Crime, A Person Suspected Of Stealing Is Charged. He landed on Anzio Beachhead on January 22, 1944, which was mentioned in the Autobiography that stated about James Arness. In 1960, he had a star placed in honor of him at 1751 Vine Street on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood Brentwood, Los Angeles on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88. If Gunsmoke icon James Arness was a Tinder date, he would be the worst. Their parents were businessmen and journalists. Alden's wife worked with Janet at the time in a dress shop. })(document); Virginia Chapman (m. 1948; div. Image date July 23, 1955.| Source: Getty Images. A: Matt Dillon (James Arness) and Kitty (Amanda Blake) never married during the series 1955-75 run, although close watchers of the show were convinced they had connected at some time. In fact, they never accepted their relationship in public. Janets friend, who owned the dress shop and knew Jim, suggested that Janet call him. And then it'd be a different show." "They'd say that would ruin it," Byrnes confirms. Eventually, Virginia fleed to San Bernardino, California, vanishing immediately after the divorce. He is survived by his wife, Janet; two sons, Rolf and Jimmy; and six grandchildren. Her mother Virginia died of a drug overdose in 1977. And they also had a son, Rolf who was born on February 18, 1952. I had been in about four pictures for his company with him. Arness married his first wife, Virginia Chapman, in 1948, which was 7 years before he started playing Matt Dillon. Janets father and brother were both pilots. CBS spokesman Chris Ender says former "Gunsmoke" star James Arness died Friday, June 3, 2011 of natural causes. Disclaimer: All content is provided for fun and entertainment purposes only. The best part of my life was my family, especially my wife Janet. Arness made one final stab at a weekly series with "McClain's Law" (NBC, 1981-82) which cast him as a retired cop who returns to the force to show a new group of officers the right way to deal with . James Arness married two women in his lifetime the first, a woman with whom he shared three kids, faded into obscurity after their divorce, but the second lady stood by his side till death parted them. Nothing happened for three months. Arness and Surtees were married from 1978 to up until his death in 2011. 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