1923-05-26 ( 101 years old ) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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 Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother later became a newspaper columnist. James attended West High School in Minneapolis. Although he appeared in school plays, he had no interest in performing, and dreamed instead of going to sea. After high school, he attended one semester at Beloit College before receiving his draft notice in 1943. He entered the army and trained at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, before shipping out for North Africa. After landing at Casablanca, Arness joined the 3rd Infantry Division in time for the invasion of Anzio. Ten days after the invasion, Arness was severely wounded in the leg and foot by German machine-gun fire. His wounds, which plagued him the rest of his life, resulted in his medical discharge from the army. While recuperating in a Clinton, Iowa hospital, he was visited by his younger brother Peter (later to gain fame as actor Peter Graves), who suggested he take a radio course at the University of Minnesota. James did so, and a teacher recommended him for a job as an announcer at a Minneapolis radio station. Though seemingly headed for success in radio, he followed a boyhood friend's suggestion and went with the friend to Hollywood in hopes of getting work as film extras. He studied at the Bliss-Hayden Theatre School under actor Harry Hayden, and while appearing in a play there was spotted by agent Leon Lance. Lance got the actor a role as Loretta Young's brother in The Farmer's Daughter (1947). The director of that film, H.C. Potter, recommended that he drop the "u" from his last name and soon thereafter the actor was officially known as James Arness. Little work followed this break, He appeared in a production of "Candida", and married his leading lady, Virginia Chapman. He began to get small roles with frequency, often, due to his size, villainous characters. Most notable among these was that of the space alien in The Thing from Another World (1951). While playing a Greek warrior in a play, Arness was spotted by agent Charles K. Feldman, who represented John Wayne. Feldman introduced Arness to Wayne, who put the self-described 6' 6" actor under personal contract. Arness played several roles over the next few years for and with Wayne, whom he considered a mentor. In 1955, Wayne recommended Arness for the lead role of Matt Dillon in the TV series Gunsmoke (1955). (Contrary to urban legend, Wayne himself was never offered the role.) Arness at first declined, thinking a TV series could derail his growing film career, but Wayne argued for the show, and Arness accepted. After the cancellation of "Gunsmoke" in 1975, Arness took on another successful Western project, "How The West Was Won." A brief modern police drama, McClain's Law (1981), followed, and Arness played his mentor John Wayne's role in Red River (1988), a remake of the Wayne classic.
Movies
For the Love of Spock
2016-09-09
Gunsmoke: One Man's Justice
1994-02-10
Gunsmoke: The Long Ride
1993-05-08
Gunsmoke: To the Last Man
1992-01-10
Gunsmoke: The Last Apache
1990-03-17
John Wayne Standing Tall
1989-03-01
Red River
1988-04-10
The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory
1987-11-11
Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge
1987-09-27
The Horror Show
1979-02-06
The Macahans
1976-01-19
Alias Jesse James
1959-03-20
Gun the Man Down
1956-11-15
The First Traveling Saleslady
1956-08-01
Flame of the Islands
1955-12-04
The Sea Chase
1955-06-04
Many Rivers to Cross
1955-02-04
Her Twelve Men
1954-08-11
Them!
1954-06-16
Hondo
1953-11-26
The Veils of Bagdad
1953-10-06
Island in the Sky
1953-09-05
The Lone Hand
1953-05-20
Horizons West
1952-10-11
Hellgate
1952-09-04
Big Jim McLain
1952-08-30
The Girl in White
1952-05-23
Carbine Williams
1952-05-01
Iron Man
1951-09-20
The People Against O'Hara
1951-09-01
Cavalry Scout
1951-05-13
The Thing from Another World
1951-04-05
Two Lost Worlds
1951-01-05
Wyoming Mail
1950-10-18
Sierra
1950-05-26
In a Lonely Place
1950-05-17
Stars in My Crown
1950-05-11
Wagon Master
1950-04-22
Battleground
1949-11-09
The Man from Texas
1948-03-06
Roses Are Red
1947-11-10
The Farmer's Daughter
1947-03-26
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