James Arness
Biography
James Arness was an American actor who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke for 20 years, a part he took across five decades. Born in Minneapolis, he started in entertainment as a radio announcer in that city in 1945, then headed to Hollywood, where his first film role came in The Farmer's Daughter (1947). He worked often in Westerns and science fiction, among them The Thing from Another World (1951), Them! (1954), Hondo (1953) and Island in the Sky (1953), and later appeared in five made-for-television Gunsmoke movies, among them Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987). Gunsmoke ran from 1955 to 1975 and became the longest-running primetime drama in American television. Playing Zeb Macahan in How the West Was Won gave him cult standing in Europe. He drew three Emmy nominations, was honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, and was ranked number 20 on a 1996 TV Guide list of the greatest TV stars.
88years old at death
- Born Minneapolis
- Died Brentwood
- Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
- James King Aurness (birth name)Also credited as James Aurness
Movie Career
- Films
- 20
- Career span
- 40 years1947 to 1987
Genres
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Big break
John Wayne recommended Arness for the role of Matt Dillon and appeared in a prologue to the first Gunsmoke episode in 1955 to introduce him as Dillon.
A change of course
After leaving the service, Arness started his entertainment career in 1945. He worked as a radio announcer at WLOL in Minneapolis.
Getting ready for a role
In 1955 Wayne introduced Arness as Matt Dillon in a prologue to the first Gunsmoke episode. Arness, who was Norwegian-German, had to darken his naturally blond hair for the part.
James Arness movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
John Farrow directed two of these films, William A. Wellman two. John Wayne appears in four of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
John Wayne's page
Ward Bond's page
Paul Fix's page
Harry Carey Jr.'s page
Rock Hudson's page
Douglas Fowley's page
John FarrowDirector, 2 films, 1953 to 1955
All films by John Farrow
All films by William A. Wellman
Also two films together14 more actors
- John DoucetteThe Sea Chase (1955) and Sierra (1950)
- Rhys WilliamsMany Rivers to Cross (1955) and The Farmer's Daughter (1947)
- Alan Hale Jr.Many Rivers to Cross (1955) and The Sea Chase (1955)
- James WhitmoreThem! (1954) and Battleground (1949)
- Marshall ThompsonStars in My Crown (1950) and Battleground (1949)
- Rodolfo AcostaHondo (1953) and Horizons West (1952)
- Gordon JonesIsland in the Sky (1953) and Big Jim McLain (1952)
- Tom PowersHorizons West (1952) and The Farmer's Daughter (1947)
- Hal BaylorIsland in the Sky (1953) and Big Jim McLain (1952)
- Sean McCloryThem! (1954) and Island in the Sky (1953)
- Charles KemperStars in My Crown (1950) and Wagon Master (1950)
- John HubbardBig Jim McLain (1952) and Horizons West (1952)
- John HodiakThe People Against O'Hara (1951) and Battleground (1949)
- Robert KeysIsland in the Sky (1953) and Big Jim McLain (1952)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Three awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1960 | Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | |
| Bronze Star Medal | Won | ||
| Purple Heart | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.