James Arness became CBS’ most valuable asset with playing U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. The audience loved seeing him in the role because he had the look and the personality required for the ...
The star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness (formerly had been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota to ...
James Arness' life changed in 1952 after a small performance in a little Hollywood theater. "I was in a play at The Player's Ring Theater," he recalled. "It was kind of theater in the round where the ...