Western Icon James Arness Dies at 88‎

JAMES ARNESS was born in Minneapolis, MN on May 26, 1923 passed away on June 3, 2011 at the age of 88 from natural causes.

He served his country in the army during WWII at Anzio He was wounded in his right leg and received the Purple Heart. He is best known for his role of Marshal Matt Dillon in the TV series Gunsmoke. Gunsmoke ran from 1955-1975 and is still on the air today being discovered by many old and new fans alike.

Over the 20 years of Gunsmoke he worked with 100's of actors, some of them just starting out like Harrison Ford, Burt Reynolds, Charles Bronson, and Betty Davis.

His acting debut was in a movie called The Farmer's Daughter opposite Loretta Young. He worked for the John Wayne's film production company Batjac and made movies with John Wayne including Islands in the Sky, Hondo, The Sea Chase and Big Jim McLain.

The Thing which aired in 1951 is a sci-fi classic and Jim's 6'7" height made the creature more believable.

He acted in many movies before he started Gunsmoke. Later he went on to do the mini series How the West Was Won and McLain's Law.

Jim will be deeply missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donation be made to United Cerebral Palsy in Jim's name.

Jim is survived by his wife Janet, 2 sons and six Grandkids. The services will be private for family only.

http://www.jamesarness.com/

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[loveandobey]

RIP James Arness, prayers for comfort to his family and loved ones. Thanks for sharing him with us.Thanks for posting this. I miss the days when a family could watch a show that appealed to all ages and was fit for the whole family to watch together. Once upon a time children grew up seeing good role models on the TV.

[loveandobey]

Thanks for posting this. I miss the days when a family could watch a show that appealed to all ages and was fit for the whole family to watch together. Once upon a time children grew up seeing good role models on the TV.

[wolfpjw]

A Real Star!

[GeorgeVreelandHill]

A legend.

George Vreeland Hill

[LynnSheer]

Great Tribute to a good man. He will never be forgotten for those of us who loved Gunsmoke.....Thank you

[102muntz]

Too bad we are so sophisticated today that we don't see the powerful brilliance of morality in operation in life's situations, not only in setting of the 'old Western' days of Gunsmoke, but at any place and time. The morality in Gunsmoke was not simple, as might be charged, but full of ambiguity as life is itself full of ambiguity. James Arness let the simplicity of fidelity to virtue shine through all that ambiguity.

[cheesestr4wz]

My heroes have always been cowboys ! Loved his brother Peter Graves as well watched him on " FURY ". What a nice tribute !

[BullpenBoss]

A true American hero and icon. Safe passage Jim Arness...

[kronikles1]

Great Tribute, May GOD Bless The Arness Family. WAW

[SaveOurSovereignty3]

well before my time

RIP anyway

[manyflga]

A gret tribute. I am 58 and remember the good times watching Gunsmoke with my Mom and Dad and Grandparents. A great show and a solid performance by Jim Arness. How many of use use to practice our quick draw as kids when the the opening scene came on TV? Those were good days. Thanks again for the post.

[JuneanneGergen]

Mr. James Arness taught me many lessons through his portrayal of Marshall Dillon. May he find peace and rest. May he find satisfaction and comfort knowing he touched so many lives.