Trivia

He was the only actor to appear in all 635 episodes of Gunsmoke (1955).

In 1968, he donated his 1,400-acre ranch in northern Los Angeles County to the Brandis Institute.

On 6/20/05 he was honored at Los Angeles City Hall by the mayor, the 15 City Council members and the City Attorney with a resolution honoring his life's work as an actor and 60-year resident of Los Angeles. The colorful resolution included a depiction of a US Marshal's badge and a salute to his work as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955) and its over-20-year duration as television's longest-running drama series. It also recalled his heroism during World War II and thanked him for "leaving us with one of the most telling and realistic portraits ever created of the brave, tall man in the saddle who tames a western town as he searches for justice and peace." Arness called it "the most wonderful day in his life" and says the resolution is now framed and in a prominent place in his home. He received a standing ovation that morning.

Had to dye his naturally blond hair for the role of Matt Dillon, since dark hair was considered more masculine.

According to an article on television westerns in "Time" magazine (3/30/59), Arness stood 6' 7", weighed 235 lbs, and had chest-waist-hips measurements of 48-36-36. However, he usually gave his own height as 6' 6" in interviews.

His best friend and younger brother Peter Graves, passed away on March 14, 2010, just four days before his 84th birthday.

Made four movies with his close friend John Wayne during the 1950s. He was also originally cast in Rock Hudson's role opposite Wayne in The Undefeated (1969). Wayne personally recommended Arness for the lead role in Gunsmoke (1955), and filmed an introduction for the first episode.

He attended public schools and graduated from West High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1942. He studied for a year at Beloit College in Wisconsin before he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II as an infantryman. During the invasion of Anzio, Italy in 1944, his right leg was shattered by machine-gun fire, resulting in his losing part of his foot. He was hospitalized for a year and underwent surgeries to correct his leg, which left a limp. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his services. His injury made it difficult for him to walk for extended stretches. When shooting movies or television shows, any scenes that required extensive walking would be shot early in the morning, before his feet and knees started giving out.

After his last role in the episode Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice (1994), he retired from acting at age 71.

Very, very often during his career, this huge actor was surrounded by co-stars standing on apple boxes or had to perform standing in a ditch just so he could be in a shot.

Honorary US Marshal, "in recognition of his unique contribution to the image and traditions of the U.S. Marshal's Service".

He and his brother Peter Graves never acted onscreen together; however, Graves did direct Arness in the episode Which Dr. (1966).

Did not attend the premiere of The Thing from Another World (1951) because he found his role as the Thing embarrassing. He often remarked that he felt his make up as "The Thing" made him look like a giant carrot.

James Arness passed away on June 3, 2011, just one week after he celebrated his 88th birthday.

He and Kelsey Grammer both hold the record for playing the same character the longest (20 years). However, since the length of television seasons was longer between 1955-75, it results in 635 episodes as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955) for Arness and only 467 as Dr. Frasier Crane (on Cheers (1982) and Frasier (1993)) for Grammer.

Following his death, he was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

He was said to be somewhat self-conscious about his stature and quite happy when they took measures to obscure his towering height while filming Gunsmoke (1955).

Despite the fact that he was friends with Robert Fuller and James Drury, he did not appear on any episodes of other series, because Warner Bros. would not lend its contract players to competitors.

Fought in the United States Army during World War II, taking part in the landing at Anzio, Italy, where he was wounded. He received the Bronze Star; the Purple Heart; the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars; the World War II Victory Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

Inducted (as a cast member of Gunsmoke (1955)) into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1981.

His status as a Republican disappointed Lady Bird Johnson, who was a huge fan of Gunsmoke (1955).

Became US Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955) after John Wayne suggested Arness play the role (contrary to legend, Wayne was offered the role initially.

Confirmed in a 2001 interview that he is completely retired from acting because he no longer has the stamina for acting.

Gunsmoke (1955) shut down production for four days in early December 1958 because Arness had burned his eyes at home while under his sunlamp.

Was in the 3rd Infantry Division at the time as Audie Murphy. Murphy was in the 15th Infantry Regiment and Arness was in the 7th Infantry Regiment. Both regiments landed at Sicily and Anzio. Arness was wounded at Anzio and sent back to the United States for treatment and discharge.

Before he was a successful actor, he was a radio announcer in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Had appeared in one film nominated for Best Picture Oscar: Battleground (1949).

He is survived by his wife, Janet Surtees of Brentwood, Los Angeles, California; son, Rolf Arness; stepson, Jim Surtees; six grandchildren, and a great grandchild. His adopted son, Craig, passed away in 2004 and his daughter Jenny passed away in 1975.

He had a lifelong affiliation with the Methodist church.

Had many times sailed with Buddy Ebsen.

Father of Jenny Lee Arness (born May 23, 1950) and Rolf Aurness (born February 18, 1952), with Virginia Chapman. He also adopted her son from her first marriage, Craig (born 1946).

He married Virginia Chapman and adopted her son, Craig, by a previous marriage. They had daughter, Jenny Arness and son, Rolf Arness.

Began his career as a contract player for Batjac Productions--John Wayne's production company--(1952).

His daughter Jenny Lee Arness committed suicide on 5/12/75.

He never played the lead male role in a theatrical movie, only on the various televised incarnations of Gunsmoke (1955). In his theatrical films, he usually acted along tall leading men such as John Wayne, Robert Ryan and Jeff Chandler.

His friendship with John Wayne ended in 1959 when Arness failed to show up for an arranged meeting for a role in "The Alamo". Wayne felt Arness had deliberately snubbed his film, and never really forgave him.

Kelsey Grammer once told this story: upon breaking the record of an actor longest in a television character, Grammer telephoned Arness to discuss a plan of having a public relations presser to announce a "passing of the torch" between Arness (as Marshal Matt Dillon) and Grammar (as Dr. Frasier Crane). After Grammar discussed his idea, Arness said nothing and hung up the phone.

Held the record for the longest continuous role portrayed by a single actor (20 years) on prime-time television (for Marshal Matt Dillon on the CBS western Gunsmoke (1955)), until Kelsey Grammer (Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers (1982) and Frasier (1993)) tied the record in 2004 (at 20 years).

Although they never married, he had a long-term relationship and resided with actress Thordis Brandt.

His ex-wife, Virginia Chapman, passed away on July 29, 1977, at age 56.

He was a longtime resident of the Brentwood area of Los Angeles, California with his second wife, Janet Surtees.

Was rightly touted as the tallest leading man in Hollywood, although this title has since been taken by other stars, mainly basketball players turned "actors".

Attended Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. Was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1751 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

He was the son of Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler who divorced in the 1940s.

He never appeared in a theatrical film after 1959.

One of Harry Morgan's sons was the friend of one of his children. One of Morgan's sons spent the night at his ranch.