James Arness is known as one of America’s most adored performing artists. Eras developed up with him as Marshal Matt Dillon on television’s longest-running arrangement, GUNSMOKE. His capacity to form a persevering character in American culture is superb. Hollywood honored him with a star on the world’s popular Walk of Notoriety for his long time on TV.
Jim Arness was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 26, 1923, and started his long and famous career as a radio commentator.
After moving to Los Angeles, he found work in motion pictures. His enormous break came in 1947 when he landed a prime part inverse Loretta Youthful within “The Ranchers Girl”. That year, he moreover got parts in various westerns. In 1951, Jim also appeared in the
science fiction motion picture “The Thing”. Jim’s career was presently taking off.
James Arness Biography
| Name | James Arness |
| Birthdate | May 26, 1923 |
| Birthplace | Minneapolis, USA |
| Age | 88 years old |
| Height | 6-ft, 7-in (2.01 m) |
| Parents | Ruth Aurness, Rolf Cirkler Aurness |
| Spouse | Janet Surtees, Virginia Chapman |
| Children | Jenny Lee Aurness, Rolf Aurness, Craig Aurness |
| Siblings | Peter Graves |
| Net Worth | $8 million |
| Television | Gunsmoke (1955–1975) How the West Was Won (1976–1979) |
| Profession | Actor, Soldier, Film actor, TV Producer |
| Nationality | American |
| Died | June 3, 2011 |
James Arness’ Height
Arness wanted to be a fighter pilot in the Navy, but he was worried that his lousy eyesight would stop him. But his height was too tall for the aviators’ height limit, so that he couldn’t become an aviator.
James Arness Brother
Aside from getting married, James Arness also worked in entertainment with his younger brother, Peter Graves. Peter Graves was famous for being in the “Mission Impossible” series.
James Arness’ Personal Life
First Wife
James Arness was married two times during his life. James got married to Virginia Chapman in 1948. During his marriage, he became the father of Chapman’s son, Craig Arness. Craig later started a photography company called Westlight and worked for National Geographic as a photographer. Arness had a son and a daughter with Virginia Chapman. His son, Rolf Arness, became famous as a World Surfing Champion in 1970. His daughter’s name is Jenny Lee Arness. Sadly, Arness and Chapman divorced in 1963, and Arness got custody of their kids. Their daughter Jenny died in 1975 from taking too many drugs on purpose. In 1977, Virginia Chapman died from taking too much medicine by mistake. Later, in 2004, her son Craig also passed away from cancer. This made the family very sad.
Second Wife
James found a new girlfriend named Thordis Brandt four years after he got divorced. They dated for six years before breaking up. In 1978, he got married to Janet Surtees. They stayed together until Arness died. James Arness died at his home in Brentwood, Los Angeles. He was 88 years old and passed away on June 3, 2011, from natural causes. He is resting in a particular room called the Sanctuary of Abiding Hope in the Jasmine Terrace area of the Great Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. James Arness’s wife, Janet Surtees, and his children continue his legacy.
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What is James Arness’ Net Worth?
James Arness was a famous American actor who earned $8 million. He was born in Minneapolis in 1923 and died in June 2011. James Arness was renowned for playing Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke from 1955 to 1975. He also played the same role in the 1987 movie Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge and four other TV movies in the 1990s. Arness played Zeb Macahan in the TV show “How the West Was Won” from 1976 to 1979. He played the role of a detective From 1981 to 1982.
Jim McClain is a character in the TV show called McClain’s Law. Arness acted in movies like The Farmer’s Daughter, The First Traveling Saleslady, Hondo, Iron Man, The Sea Chase. In 1960, he got his first Hollywood Walk of Fame star at 1751 Vine Street. He was also chosen as a contender for three Primetime Emmy Awards for Gunsmoke. James Arness died on June 3, 2011, when he was 88. James was Peter Graves’ older brother. Peter Graves acted in Mission: Impossible.
One interesting fact about James Arness’ career is how much money he made on Gunsmoke. According to TV Guide, the actor made about $30 million for his work on the show, at least until 1970. Today’s money is about $230 million.
That number doesn’t even include the last five seasons of Gunsmoke or the five TV movies with Arness. However, he made a lot of money at that time. According to Showbiz Cheat Sheet, the actor got $20,000 for each episode after their contract was changed – the same as $150,000 today.
What did James Arness die from?
What caused James Arness to die? He died in his sleep at his home in California from natural causes. At the time he died, he was 88 years old.
The actor’s website shared a letter he wrote to be published after he passed away.
