Early Life and Career:
* Real Name: James King Aurness (he later shortened his last name)
* Born: May 15, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minnesota
* Early Career: Arness started his acting career in the 1940s, mostly in B-movies.
* Military Service: He served in the United States Army during World War II and was wounded in combat.
* Height: Arness was an imposing figure at 6'7" tall, a fact that helped land him roles in westerns.
"Gunsmoke" and Beyond:
* Gunsmoke: Arness played Matt Dillon, the U.S. Marshal in Dodge City, Kansas, for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975. The show remains one of the longest-running Westerns in television history.
* Other Notable Roles: Arness starred in several other Westerns, including "The Thing from Another World" (1951), "The Thing" (1982), and "The Red Badge of Courage" (1951).
* Critical Acclaim: Arness received numerous awards and nominations for his work, including an Emmy Award for "Gunsmoke" and a Golden Globe Award for "The Red Badge of Courage."
Personal Life:
* Marriages: Arness was married three times, first to Veronica Hagan, then to Virginia Chapman, and finally to Janet Surtees.
* Children: He had three children, two from his first marriage and one from his second.
* Legacy: Arness is considered one of the most popular and respected actors of the 20th century. His portrayal of Matt Dillon is iconic and helped shape the image of the Western hero.
Additional Interesting Facts:
* Arness was a close friend of John Wayne.
* He was a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Vikings.
* Arness suffered a stroke in 1998, which limited his mobility in his later years.
* He died in 2011 at the age of 88.
Arness's long and successful career, particularly his unforgettable portrayal of Matt Dillon, cemented his place as a legend in the world of television and film.