James Arness of 'Gunsmoke' Fame Dies at 88

[realfunny7]

did he ever win an emmy for "gunsmoke" if not he should've some of tose old ones were very good storys - all on the western channel

[moviesforrandy]

i never missed gunsmoke. everyday somemore of my childhood dies. rest in peace.

[biltom]

James Arness and Clint Walker.......best western actors in westerns....of course Gary Cooper was too.....along with a few others like Randolph Scott and.....

[tallpaul521]

Mr. Arness was the original Creature From The Black Lagoon.

[VIDEOTIMEMACHINE]

@tallpaul521 I believe he was The Thing but was he the creature from the black lagoon?

[jrcadet4]

@VIDEOTIMEMACHINE Not so---the original Creature was master diver Ricou Browning. Arness, as I recall, was under contract to Warner Brothers, and just going into production on GUNSMOKE's first season. In subsequent films The Creature was played at least once by a stuntman named Ben Chapman.

[BrandiSidara]

@8524frank ...I understand what you mean, colored people would have degraded the west and God forbid if the mexicans weren't bad, it would not be a good show then. only white americans of european extraction are moral. And those immoral indians being killed by the white man for no reason except for being here first...GIVE ME A BREAK!!!! I LOVED Gunsmoke, lets not make it a racial issue. Frank do some research, there were sometimes Black characters from time to time. Let's be for real!!!

[HAPMinistries]

My grandfather loved Gunsmoke, my father loves Gunsmoke, and I love Gunsmoke. Sorry to the family for the passings and our prayers are with you.

[trwent]

Perhaps the best episode of Gunsmoke was "Mannon", in which a mean bully of a gunfighter (I cannot remember the actor's name) comes into Dodge and orders everyone around, steals, etc. and no one has the courage to stand up to him. That is, until Marshall Matt Dillon returns from a trip, calls him out to the street, and actually is beaten to the draw and takes a bullet in the side before gunning down the hoodlum. I think I have seen that episode about 20 times, and I never get tired of it!!

[powertube5671]

@trwent Mannon was played by Steve Forrest who starred in a ton of stuff himself. Being a Columbo fan, I have an episode on DVD called "A Bird in the Hand" where he appeared as "Big Fred."

"Mannon" was a perfect example of a sociopath with absolutely no empathy for other human beings, which is what makes it so satisfying to see him taken down under the influence of a a woman's (Kitty) power to break down a man's ego to the point of malfunction to give Matt the advantage he needed.

[elizakuhns]

This world is a far better place because you were here Jim.

I will always think of you and remember your great smile and all the fans you have.I will always be one of your biggest fans!!I sure will miss you!

Alice Burke

[hateliberals1]

there. are. few. men. i. respect. you. are. the. first. i. will. miss you. sir and. all you. have. become. god. bless your. memory

[ste123456754]

james arness a giant of a man use to watch gunsmoke as a young kid back in the early 60s with my brother on that little black an white box in the corner happy days so sad to hear of his passing wont see the likes of these actors ever again r.i.p

[robmlisanti]

RIP Jim!

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

James Arness was not only a hero on TV, but in real life as well.

He really was a giant of a man.

Arness is best remembered for his role on Gunsmoke, a show that lasted for 20 years because of him.

However, those who knew James will always remember him for his kind heart.

He spoke of his family, friends and fans at the end of his life.

He cared about everyone.

James Arness will be missed, but he will be loved even more as the years go by.

George Vreeland Hill

[turtleman1146]

THANKS JIM FROM US BABY BOOMERS WHO GREW UP WATCHING GUNSMOKE IN THE 1950'S AND 60'S....GOD BLESS...A GUNSMOKE FAN FOREVER.

[foroke1]

No outlaw could take him down... May this WW2 veteran RIP.... He'll be missed.

[davidcrco]

A Real Man..RIP

[Peaches6589]

You are dearly loved and will be missed. God speed 'Marshal Matt Dillon'

Gunsmoke is a CLASSIC T.V. series. They dont make shows like this anymore.

[yrtuag]

R.I.P. James Arness  You will be missed.

[sargend]

RIP Mr ARNESS, you'll never know the magic you contibuted to a young country boy watching TV in New Zeland in the 1960's with his brothers.

Another part of my childhood is gone forever.

Happy, happy memories.............and happy trails to you sir!

[hc90488]

Our grandson Jay often watches "Gunsmoke" with me. I encourage this as Marshal Matt Dillon is portrayed as a man of character, honor and integrity. To be able to maintain the role for more than 20 years and project these traits throughout the series demonstrates to me that James Arness was Matt Dillion.

[thmpr61]

R.I.P.

I grew up watching you on Gunsmoke and other movies that you stared in. You will be missed.

[shlyanth]

He was so good playing Marshal Matt Dillon...nothing like classic Gunsmoke...RIP Mr. Arness...you will be greatly missed and your legacy shall carry on...

[zippyman818]

6' 7"

U.S. Army 3rd Infantry, wounded in the Battle of Anzio.

[maregee]

i grew up with you. R.I.P.

[ApocalypsePlough]

Our family used to watch Gunsmoke when I was very young.

RIP.

[WWETNAwrestlingfan15]

Man wow. Yesterday after passing it on TV Land numerous times, I finally sat down and watched a full episode of Gunsmoke. It was pretty good. I'm sure if the show ran for 20 years it was pretty damn good. Well I'll be tuning in as much as I can to Gunsmoke on TV Land. Thanks James and everyone else that was involved with the production of that show. And most importantly thank you for your service to our country James. Rest in peace.

[Teflon65]

RIP Mr. Arness.

[Velazquez283]

i loved your show. thanks Mr Arness.

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

Thank you James Arness.

You made TV worth watching for generations to come.

Millions of fans await.

George Vreeland Hill

[crunkcymbals09]

My grandpa, who passed away last year, was a fan of gunsmoke as well as many other western films. I remember just about every time I went to see him, he was watching westerns and most of the time, Gunsmoke would be on. This was a great show and I think Arness left a great legacy in western film. R. I. P.

"Marshall Matt Dillon". Thank you for being a great example in displaying positive morals in the media.

[FireitupBedford]

There will never be another Matt Dillon. I remember going to my grandparents house and my grandaddy never missed a show. I remember him watching it on an old snowy picture. Most everybody in the room had trouble watching it because it was so snowy but not him he could tell you everything that was going on. I'd give anything if he could have seen what tv looks like today. R.I.P Marshal Dillon...

[MusicEqualsMemories]

One last forgotten credit.....James Arness played 'the creature' in the iconic sci-fi movie of 1951 "The Thing from Another World".....starting a 1950s/cold war genre

of sci-fi....R.I.P.

[AnimalLover1977]

I knew next to nothing about him. But my Dad was big on his movies, R.I.P .

[formeyousee]

Two people were once ran out of Dodge City.

[meerkat006]

Good night, sweet prince.

[MrMegaFredzeppelin]

Thank you James "MATT" Arness for ALL the talent you shared with US ALL!!!!!

[RLTRUELOVE1972]

When i was a kid it was "STFU GUN SMOKE IS ON ! ! "

[wildturkey1960]

@RLTRUELOVE1972 LOLOL!!! We must be kin. You didn't want to utter a peep after 8 PM...

[uzimodem]

there are only a few series on Tv that people will remember, and James Arness and "Gunsmoke" is one of them. A class act actor and human being. Not to many actors in Holly "Deviant" wood I can honestly say will ever match this man.

[wausadog]

My thoughts go out tonight to one of my longtime heros, Marshall Matt Dillon! You inspired many of us growing up Matthew with your morals and beliefs. Miss Kitty adored you, Fetus looked up to you, Doc was always there for you and I loved watching you. May you rest in peace my ole cowboy friend...you were the best!

[chartpattern]

We will miss you Jim. You will always remember you. R.I.P. James Arness

[1Guitarslayer]

Funny how those shows blow away anything out today. I doubt we'll be watching re-runs of jersey shore 40 years from now.

Enjoy eternity Matt ! Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy, Janice... I'll bet heaven is a blast!!!

[EvilFingers]

Thank you for the Memories Mr. Arness, may you Rest In Peace.

[racefan32]

R.I.P. sir.

[the82spartans]

Godspeed, James.

[kimasabe]

Sad one of our real Legends has passed. My family grew up watching Gunsmoke & it portrayed all that is Good in our Country.

[AdamCartwrightILoveU]

R.I, P

James. we love you

[astronato]

Rest in peace James Arness.

[gambler731]

When I got to work today, the internet said James Arness died today. Very sad to hear since I've been a Gunsmoke fan forever. Maybe Matt is having a beer with Miss Kitty, Doc, and Festus at The Long Branch saloon up in the sky. I can't wait to get home from work and turn on the Gunsmoke videos on my wide screen. A great actor and person. Condolences to the family. The world will not be the same.

[Outcasttim]

Rest in Peace James Arness you were Eastwood before Clint ever was,,, you left the western genre in capeable hands,, yeeeeeeeeeha,,,,

[uzavas]

@Outcasttim actually clint started making movies soon after gunsmoke and always did a superb job,,,please dont disrepect clint outta due respect for arness! not acceptable clint did so much more anyway

[Outcasttim]

To uzavas please read my comment once more: you seem to have missed out on the "you left the western genre in capeable hands" i pay homage to both these actors.They are both two of my fave actors.

[joshuabrooks21]

I never saw "Gunsmoke," nor did I see "How The West Was Won," being as I was born nearly ten years too late. However, I do send an RIP to Big Jim (James) Arness. Now, him, John (Wayne), Dean (Martin), Roy (Rogers), Gene (Autry), Johnny (Cash), and Waylon (Jennings) can sing together again in the yonder hills.

[trwent]

@joshuabrooks21 You forgot Hank Williams, Sr. And I do not think that either Wayne or Arness could sing much with any of those guys.

[joshuabrooks21]

@trwent Yes, Hank Sr. deserves an RIP too. Thanks for commenting on this.

[bjc19199]

i loved him, especially in the series, marshall dillion. i look at the program every night on me tv at 12:30 am. did not miss it. R.I.P., MATT DILLION AKA JAMES ARNESS! <3

[fatjud1]

We've lost another great western star, ride easy Jim we all hope to see you again someday.

[GCL777]

He was like John Wayne. He stood for something moral and good. R.I.P. Mr Arness

[RickSay1958]

R.I.P. Mr. Arness.

[TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

He was selling many of his items from Gunsmoke on ebay. I purchased a few of them. Rest In Peace Big Jim.

[fldoughboy72]

RIP James!!

[derberg19486]

Back when America was only a bunch of stupid people, now they are only evil and dangerous, you've come a long way!

[uzavas]

@derberg19486 and this comes from a canadian ? lol

[mullinaxbridgett43]

@derberg19486 I have to agree with uzavas on that one canadians? lol

[uzavas]

@derberg19486 well sir you sound like somebody just walked over your grave...it's not so bad i think you are judging americans in a sickening stereotype we are not bad ppl just some of them are depends on your upbringing there are 300 illion ppl in the states dont try to group everyone as a bad apple...gosh love is still there my good man....dont hate just cuz ya dont understand

[Vetalrock]

R . I . P. James!