James Arness

James Arness was born James King Aurness on May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Standing 6′7″ tall, his towering presence would later help define his legendary television persona. After graduating high school in 1942, he worked a variety of jobs—courier, lumberjack, salesman—before enlisting in the U.S. Army during World War II.

In 1944, Arness was sent to the front lines at Anzio, Italy, where he served as a rifleman. He was the first man off the landing craft, tasked with gauging water depth for others. During intense combat, he was seriously wounded in the leg and endured multiple surgeries, chronic pain, and a long recovery. He was honorably discharged in 1945, earning a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other decorations for bravery.
After the war, Arness briefly attended college before taking a job as a radio announcer. Encouraged by his younger brother, actor Peter Graves, he moved to Hollywood and began landing minor film roles. A turning point came when he befriended John Wayne, who saw potential in Arness and recommended him for leading roles. Arness appeared alongside Wayne in films like Big Jim McLain, Island in the Sky, and Hondo.
In 1955, with Wayne’s endorsement, Arness was cast as U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. The series ran for 20 seasons, becoming the longest-running primetime drama in television history at the time. His calm strength and understated charisma made him the face of TV Westerns. He went on to star in five Gunsmoke reunion movies between 1987 and 1994.

Beyond Gunsmoke, Arness played frontiersman Zeb Macahan in How the West Was Won (1976–1979), a popular mini-series especially beloved in Europe. Known for his modesty and strong work ethic, Arness stayed largely out of the spotlight. He was married twice and had three children. His brother Peter also rose to fame as the lead in Mission: Impossible.

James Arness died of natural causes on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88. He left behind an enduring legacy as one of television’s most iconic figures—an actor whose real-life heroism and on-screen integrity made him a true American original.