Biography james arness gunsmoke pistols
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James Arness was born May 26, , in Minneapolis. He entered college just as World War II began and dreamed of being a naval aviator. It seemed as if every night his fraternity was having a party to send off a brother to the service. Young Arness got his interview with a naval flight schema officer, but his hopes vanished as he was informed that his six foot seven inch height disqualified him automatically. He wrote his draft board asking that they call him up as soon as possible and so he ended up as a private in the famed Third Infantry Division where he earned a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Because of his stature, he was chosen to be first off the landing craft (to test the depth of the water) when his division landed at Anzio, Italy. He was subsequently wounded by enemy machine gun fire and spent eighteen months recovering in overseas and stateside hospitals.
Later his height would help him strike a commanding figure in the role of U.S. Marshal Matt Dillon of Dodge City.
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James Arness
American actor (–)
James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, – June 3, ) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the series Gunsmoke. He has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in fem decades: to in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge () and kvartet more made-for-televisionGunsmoke films in the s. In Europe, Arness reached cult status for his role as Zeb Macahan in the Western series How the West Was Won. He was the older brother of actor Peter Graves.
Early life
[edit]James Arness was born in Minneapolis.[1] His parents were businessman Rolf Cirkler Aurness and journalist Ruth Duesler. His father's ancestry was Norwegian; his mother's was German.[2] The family name had been Aursnes, but when Rolf's father, Peter Aursnes, emigrated from Norway in , he changed it to Aurness.[3] James Arness and his family were Methodists.[4] Arness
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James Arness
James "Marshal Dillon" Arness | |
|---|---|
| Born | James King Aurness ()May 26, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA |
| Died | June 3, () (aged&#;88) Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Cause&#;of death | Natural causes[1] |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Minneapolis Washburn High School Minneapolis West High School |
| Alma&#;mater | Beloit College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years&#;active | –94 |
| Television | Gunsmoke, How the West Was Won |
| Height | &#;cm (6&#;ft 7&#;in) |
| Spouse(s) | Virginia Chapman (m–, divorced) Janet Surtees (m–, his death) |
| Children | Rolf, Craig (deceased), Jim, Jenny Lee (deceased) |
| Relatives | Peter Graves (brother, deceased) |
| Website | |
James King Arness (May 26, – June 3, ) was an Americanactor. He was best known for his role in Gunsmoke. He played the character Marshal Matt Dillon. His younger brother was actor Peter Graves.
Early life
[change | change source]Arness