James Arness, Iconic 'Gunsmoke' Lawman, Dead at 88

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 3rd 2011 02:30PM

James Arness, a bigger-than-life actor who kept the peace as Marshal Matt Dillon on 'Gunsmoke' for its 20-year run, died Friday of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, Calif., his family told the Los Angeles Times. He was 88.

'Gunsmoke' debuted on CBS in 1955 and ran until 1975, in the process making Arness one of the more enduring stars on television and the Matt Dillon character one of its most beloved and trusted.

The 6 foot 7 Arness towered over the cast, including Dillon's deputy, Chester, played by Dennis Weaver. Other supporting stars included Amanda Blake as Kitty and Milburn Stone as Doc Adams.

By the time Arness got the part of Dillon, he had been a WWII combat veteran and appeared in several films, most notably the science-fiction classics 'Them!' and 'The Thing From Another World,' in which he played an alien.

The Minneapolis native's younger brother, actor Peter Graves, who died last October, encouraged him to get into acting. He cut his Western teeth in four John Wayne film, including 'Hondo' and 'Big Jim McLain.'

It was Wayne that recommended Arness for 'Gunsmoke' and an on-air endorsement from the film great himself. "I knew there was only one man to play in it, James Arness," Wayne told viewers (watch video below). "He's a young fella and may be new to some of you. But I've worked with him, and I predict he'll be a big star. So you might as well get used to him, like you've had to get used to me."

The role of Marshal Dillon proved a complex one and became a focus of the show, but Arness is said to have pushed producers to move the focus off him and onto the large ensemble cast.

When 'Gunsmoke' ended in 1975, appeared a string of TV shows including the miniseries 'How The West Was Won' and in the early 1980s, turned leading man again in cop drama 'McClain's Law.'

He brought Matt Dillon back for five 'Gunsmoke' movies starting in 1987's 'Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge.'

Arness is survived by his wife, Janet, two sons and six grandchildren.

Tags: Gunsmoke, James Arness

Comments

(381)

Friday 03 June

By eldon

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Damm, all my hero's are gone......

By teresa

Its a sad day for me ! You were truly one of the best ! RIP with John Wyane ! Bet the angels are singing .... May we always have your Gun Smoke reruns !

By Cheryl

Another great actor gone ... will never be another one who was so well-liked and respected ... never heard anything negative about this "gentle" man. God be with and bless his family.

By RICH

I really loved gun smoke as a kid. Matt was always strong and smart. Hated by the bad guys and loved by the girls. I always wondered if he and Miss Kitty got it on. R.I.P. Matt

By aaldrew

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Yeh..They did.. You missed that episode??

By CraigG

They kissed just one time in the whole series

By DeVora

RIP you will truly be missed.

By Di

Oh My Gosh. How I've dreaded this day. I grew up watching Gunsmoke and remember as a tiny girl in 1957 falling asleep on my Daddy's arm as we watched Gunsmoke. This is truly a huge loss to those of us who remember the days of 'good television'. RIP Marshall Dillon. For those of us who grew up with you, we will shed some tears today.
My prayers go out for his family.

By doneldathomas

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Beautifully said!!!

By J.B.W.

R.I.P.James Arness.You have been a great inspiration to generations,Thank You and gods speed to the great Dodge City in the sky.

By Jessica Dixon

Rest in peace to Mr.Arness!!! your show makes my grandad
happy!!! prayers and deepest sympathies to all the fans, family and friends!

By mkscorpion3283

What was great about his character on Gunsmoke was that he always believed in upholding the law. Wouldn't allow for vendettas. He believed in justice, not vengance.

RIP Marshall

By sally

You will always be Matt Dillon the best MARSHALL ever! RIP! We Love You!

By casjane1

My parents were late getting to my wedding because Dad was home watching his favorite show Gunsmoke. Luckily it was a small wedding and I thought it was kinda cute.

By Eric

We've lost another true American icon. They don't make his kind anymore. Truly sad. Gunsmoke is one of the best shows TV ever gave us. Nothing..and I mean nothing today can touch it.

By saannie25

You are so right, TV today is usually not fit to watch. They don't make good TV shows like gunsmoke today. It was such a great show and it didn't have much violence. It also didn't have profanity, and nudity in it either, and it was still a popular show. Wish they would make shows like this today. I still try to catch it on the reruns.

By Carol

What a great actor and a great man he was! We will miss you "Matt Dillon"! Rest in peace.

By Dena

RIP James Arness I loved your show Gunsmoke its a good one too , You are truly gonna be missed . RIP Marshall Dillion

By Big John

You were a true TV hero and I still watch Gunsmoke as much as possible. Icons like you will and have been missed on TV.

By chattykathysback

My dad and I loved to watch Gunsmoke when I was a kid. I liked him and Miss Kitty and wanted them to get married. I also liked Fetus. One very good show back then.

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