Ben Cartwrigt (Lorne Greene) and James Arness (Gunsmoke) rode the same buckskin horse. He starred in several other films, including The Farmer's Daughter, Iron Man, Hondo, The Sea Chase, The First Traveling Saleslady, and more. and its 1982 sequel Airplane II: The . By john November 8, 2022. He made his film debut in The Farmers Daughter in 1947 as Loretta Youngs brother, and appeared four years later in the title part as a space alien in The Thing from Another World.. He died at the age of 88. James was ultimately let go from the show, according to Todd Hoffman, due to "excessive absences". He also suffered a leg injury during World War II during a battle in Anzio, Italy. "James Harness has passed away from what I'm hearing. Our fall TV preview concludes with a comprehensive guide to the new and 2013 Fall TV Preview: Our Comprehensive Guide to the Season's New and Returning Shows. His wife died in 1978 from cancer, his mother Virginia (ne Chapman) died in 1977, and his sister Jenny Lee Aurness committed suicide on May 12, 1975. Did James Arness and Lorne Greene use the same horse? I don't have much info on what happened if you were close to him please post details.". 'Dawson's Creek' Alum Jensen Ackles 'Has the Voice of an Angel,' Says Joshua Jackson (Exclusive), Katy Perry Disrespects Another 'American Idol' Singer, Fans Demand Apology, 'Rabbit Hole' Star Charles Dance on the Many Layers of Ben Wilson (Exclusive), 'Rabbit Hole' Star Rob Yang Teases What to Expect From Season Finale (Exclusive), 'The Diplomat' Season 2 Fate Revealed at Netflix, '9-1-1: Lone Star' Season 5 Fate Revealed, '9-1-1' Canceled at Fox But Gets New Home, John Oliver Mocks Kid Rock's Bud Light Video and Shooting Ability. Aurness is the son of Gunsmoke actor James Arness and nephew of Mission Impossible actor Peter Graves. James accepted and while it mitigated his pain, it wasn't a cure-all for his ailments he still used pain meds to cope. Did Matt Dillons horse have a name? They came to and asked me, Can you build this stuff?'". - January 14, 2021 09:02 am EST. Although later, when the show won awards and continued to be a hit with critics and fans, he renegotiated his contract. Marshal in the . His father's name is Rolf Virkler Aurness he was from Norway. Arness died on 3 June 2011 of natural causes at the age of 88. Ultimately the episode proved that James wasn't stealing any gold for himself, but rather, his failure to fix the mining equipment quickly enough contributed to the men's inability to hit their goal of one hundred ounces. His height and large bulk made a . What did James Arness die from? A gnarly car accident left the mechanic with horrible, consistent back pain, which inhibited his ability to work. He landed during that time as a rifleman with the second platoon. . Indeed, he earned a huge amount of salary from his appearance in the TV series Gunsmoke. In a 2012 interview with OregonGold.net, James discussed how he ended up working with the Hoffmans: "I was mainly doing stuff for the Hoffmans just to have a place to stay. He was a character. Chapman and Arness adopted son Craig, who died in 2004, and were parents to daughter Jenny, who died in 1975, and son Rolf. A source reported that he had a salary of around $20 thousand per episode. LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor James Arness, who personified the tall, rugged lawman of the American frontier as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, U.S. televisions longest-running prime-time drama, died on Friday at age 88. Arness also starred in the TV adaptation of How The West Was Won from 1977 to 1979. Milburn Stone, who played Doc Adams and was in 629 episodes, died five years after the show ended without featuring in the Gunsmoke TV movie or any other movie for that matter. His father was a traveling salesman of medical supplies and his mother later became a newspaper columnist. He also suffered a leg injury during World War II during a battle in Anzio, Italy. James Arness, the towering actor best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon, the strong and commanding symbol of frontier justice on the landmark TV western series "Gunsmoke," died Friday . Miss Hannah took over the Long Branch Saloon after Kittys exit. One of the first TV Westerns geared toward adults, the show was a huge hit for CBS. Because they knew I was down and out, they offered it to me, and I didnt have a lot of other choices. American actor James Arness (1923 - 2011) as Marshall Matt Dillon in the TV western series 'Gunsmoke', circa 1960. Gunsmoke aired on television from 1955 to 1975. Followed by: "I think this is where we part ways.". Arness got an announcing job, but then headed to Hollywood in hopes of a movie career. How the West Was Won is an American Western television series that starred James Arness, Eva Marie Saint, Fionnula Flanagan, Bruce Boxleitner, and Richard Kiley.Loosely based on the 1962 Cinerama film of the same name, it began with a two-hour television film, The Macahans, in 1976, followed by a mini-series in 1977, and a regular series in 1978 and 1979. His birth date is on May 26, 1923. CAPTION: James Arness was a popular American actor, CAPTION: James Arness from the set of the tv show, Gunsmoke, Rolf Aurness, CraigAurness, JimAurness, and Jenny Lee, Gunsmoke, Them!, The Thing From Another World. He earned $1,200 an episode. It was one of her last roles on screen. He served theMilitary service from1943 to 1945 as aCorporal. Regarding his educational qualifications, the late actor completed his education at Minneapolis Washburn high school. Arness died of natural causes at the age of 88 onJune 3, 2011, at Brentwood home in Los Angeles, California. James Arness, right, who starred as Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke," had a daughter who would later get screen time in the 1990 made-for-TV movie . There was a rumor that Wayne was offered the part, but that is not true, according to Snopes. Arness was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his hard work and sincerity. During his era, he was considered the tallest leading man in Hollywood. He made his film debut in The Farmer's Daughter, playing Loretta Young's brother. Arness, who stood 6 feet, 7 inches, hoped to serve in World War II as a pilot, but his height made that impossible. Jack Hoffman, prior to having a back surgery of his own, admitted he was addicted to morphine. Our massive preview has details on the most promising new shows and your Get details about the top TV premieres in May 2023, including a reunion Music title data, credits, and images provided by, Movie title data, credits, and poster art provided by. She died at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California. IMDb reported that as per on TV westerns in Time magazine (March 30, 1959), Arness stood 6' 7", and weighed 235 lbs. After the war, Arness turned his attention to a career in the media. Fred Lewis Was a Huge Fan of 'Gold Rush' Before Officially Joining Parker's Crew, 'Gold Rush' Star Parker Schnabel Has Made More Than You Think Prospecting, You Just Might Hear Former 'Gold Rush ' Star Todd Hoffman on the Radio Soon. James Arness was born on May 26, 1923, in the city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the real name James King Airness. His beginnings with the Hoffman crew, however, didn't exactly start in the best of circumstances. However, his earnings were not without effort. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story: Season 1. Offers may be subject to change without notice. mother and sister all died. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. As it turns out, the actress overdosed on sleeping pills on 29th July 1977. His fellow cast members offered up their condolences online; many of them were panning/mining in Alaska and Canada, and were most probably filming. No disease, nothing untoward, he just got tired, I guess, she said. So why did the lovable character step away from one of the most successful series in television history? Years later, Arness lost his second child. James Harness suffered from extreme back pain before his death. James fought some hard things in his life. He accumulated his fortune from his eminent career as an actor and a former military man. The feat that went unmatched until Kelsey Grammer tied the record after 20 years of playing psychiatrist Frasier Crane on two NBC comedies -- Cheers and Frasier.. ASSOCIATED . Arness was married to Virginia Chapman from 1948 to 1963 and married Janet Surtees in 1978. . The cast comprised one of televisions most memorable ensembles of supporting characters -- the good-natured but gullible deputy with a limp, Chester Goode, played by Dennis Weaver; the red-haired, whiskey-voiced saloon keeper Miss Kitty Russell; crusty old Doc Adams, and Louie, the town drunk. According to actor James Arness, the horse that Marshall Matt Dillon rode on the TV show Gunsmoke was known as Faithful Old Buck. After two seasons, James was forced to call it quits, as his condition made it too difficult for him to effectively do his job, let alone do it on command, for multiple takes on television. In addition to his work in westerns, Arness also starred in a couple of science fiction films. After revealing on national TV that he couldn't afford back surgery after being rear-ended in that fateful car accident, a Boston hospital reached out to James and offered to operate on his back to help alleviate his pain, free of charge. She was a heavy smoker and had surgery for . While growing up in Minnesota, he excelled at sports and music (as a saxophonist), and by age 16, he was a radio announcer at WMIN in Minneapolis. Arness returned as Matt Dillon in five Gunsmoke reunion specials, the last of which aired in 1994 when he was 71. While recuperating, his younger brother Peter -- who gained fame as the actor Peter Graves in TVs Mission: Impossible -- encouraged him to take a radio course. James Arness: Birth, Parents, Ethnicity. He playedThe Thingin the latter of the two films. Gunsmoke actor James Arness became CBS' most significant actor when it came to their network programming. Although this doesnt come as much of a shock considering Arness was a seriously tough guy before becoming an actor. Weaver and actor James Arness were close . He was 88. His back pain was hard to watch. Arness also proved he had international success when his role as Zeb Macahan in How the West Was Won made him a popular figure across the pond. James Arness, who has died aged 88, may not have been the biggest film star ever, but he was certainly one of the tallest, at 6ft 7in. Check box if your review contains spoilers. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Janet Surtees at his house in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, the United States. His most memorable character is undoubtedly U.S. James Arness will always be remembered as one of the biggest stars in the history of television, playing an iconic role on the mediums longest-running prime-time drama ever, CBS said in a statement. Peter Graves (born Peter Duesler Aurness; March 18, 1926 - March 14, 2010) was an American actor who portrayed Jim Phelps in the CBS television series Mission: Impossible from 1967 to 1973 and in its revival from 1988 to 1990. The Death of James Harness Hit 'Gold Rush' fans particularly hard especially considering that a tragic accident was behind his Season 2 departure. Arness, who stood 6-feet-7-inches tall, earned three Emmy nominations for the program over the years. No, Matt Dillon's horse was known as Faithful Old Buck. All quotes delayed a minimum of 15 minutes. And then they came up with this other deal, going gold mining. The three times Primetime Emmy nominee James Arness was a popular American actor who was best known for playing the roles ofMarshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in theTV seriesGunsmoke. "I took James to church and I know he had faith. The actor was in relatively good health but had just been fading in recent years, Fazer told Reuters. He also starred in the 1977 TV mini-series How the West Was Won, the modern police drama McClains Law in 1981, and reprised John Waynes role in a TV remake of Red River in 1988. This is an appropriate name for the horse, as it was a loyal and reliable companion to Matt Dillon throughout the show. However, Arness was very particular about . The shows success helped generate a lot of competition, with network televisions prime-time lineup including more than 30 westerns at one point, but Gunsmoke outlasted them all. James Arness made his film debut in 1947 with the movie The Farmer's Daughter. Copyright 2023 PopCulture.com. And even though these peeps are in the business of hunting for gold, people are often surprised at just how much money some of the folks on the show make. Distractify is a registered trademark. James Arness died on June 3, 2011, at the age of 88 . In 1955, Arness was cast as Matt Dillon when Gunsmoke made the transfer from radio to television. Arness served in the United States Army and had the role of rifleman. Arness is survived by his second wife, Janet, two sons and six grandchildren. He was severely wounded in the leg in World War Two, which left him with a life-long limp. andThe Thing From Another World. Updated July 25, 2017 9:22 AM. Peter Graves. Although his parents were a businessperson, he wasnt much interested in business. He was born as the eldest son of father Rolf Cirkler Aurness and mother, Ruth Duesler. Played the role of Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke" from 1955-1975. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes. Hitchhiked to Hollywood and made his acting debut in 1947. Watch Gold Rush Fridays at 9 p.m. EST on Discovery. His funeral was held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California was buried there. See here for a complete list of exchanges and delays. Wayne ultimately suggested Arness for the lead part in Gunsmoke, and even introduced the first episode for CBS. Actor: Gunsmoke. James Arness. According to DoYouRemeber.com, Arness performed his own stunts while playing the lawman on Gunsmoke.. During his time as Dodge Citys Marshal on Gunsmoke, Arness did quite well for himself. The same site cited,The Thing From Another World star, had the initial earning of only $1,200 per episode. To make up for the lost role, an actor . Until his death, he had around 48 acting credits for which he was considered among the most experienced actors in Hollywood. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from natural causes.A family spokesman confirmed the news to the New York Times following his death. . With the latter one, he exchanged vows with Janet Surtees in 1978. In 1945, the former military serviceman began his career in the entertainment industry as a radio announcer at Minneapolis station WLOL. 2 years after the death of her darling daughter, Virginia Chapman Arness passed away from an "accidental" drug overdose. Gunsmoke: What Was James Arness Net Worth at His Time of Death. James' medical issues were a persistent problem in his life even before he signed on for Season 1 of the program. Arness died on June 3, 2011, of natural causes at the age of 88 in Los Angeles . Actor: Stalag 17. James Arness was a legendary American actor who graced the screens for over five decades. However, in June 2011, fans around the world were saddened to hear of his passing. 2023 METACRITIC, A FANDOM COMPANY. Actor James Arness, who personified the tall, rugged lawman of the American frontier as Marshal Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke," U.S. television's longest-running prime-time drama, died on Friday at age 88. Not too shabby considering in todays money, that wouldve been equivalent to over $150,000. All rights reserved. James Arness was in all 635 episodes: James Arness played the role of Dillon in Gunsmoke, . The two of them became great friends and rumor has it that John Wayne turned down a role in a new TV series and recommended that James Arness get the role! The last movie, One Man's Justice, was Arness' final performance. She reportedly took her own life with a sleeping pill overdose in May 1975. James' medical issues were a persistent problem in his life even before he signed on for Season 1 of the program. When you think of classic westerns, its impossible not to think of Marshal Matt Dillon from the series Gunsmoke. Portrayed by the late James Arness for two decades on CBS, fans will remember Arness for his iconic acting on the beloved series. Weaver died Friday from complications of cancer at his home in Ridgway, in southwestern Colorado, his publicist, Julian Myers, announced Monday. Copyright 2023 Distractify. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. A gnarly car accident left the mechanic with horrible, consistent back pain, which inhibited his ability to work. Get a detailed look at every new and returning show coming to broadcast 2012 Fall TV Preview: Our Night-by-Night Guide. Photo: Silver Screen Collection (modified by author) Source: Getty Images To create a more fitting character, Dennis Weaver began portraying Chester Goode with a limp and speaking in a . On the other hand, there was a big rumor of a long-term relationship between James Arness and actress Thordis Brandt, but they never accepted their relationship in public. (Additional reporting by Vicki Allen; Editing by Jill Serjeant), Corrects last name from Wayne to Arness in last paragraph. James wasn't the only crew member who developed a dependence on pain meds. Hegot married to Virginia Chapman in 1948 and divorced in 1960. Even after his stint on Gunsmoke, Arness would go on to star in other roles. Besides, Blake was rumored to be in a relationship with James Arness, which is still believed as a rumor. Gunsmoke, which originated on CBS radio in 1952 with William Conrad as the voice of Matt Dillon, debuted on TV as one of the first in a wave of adult westerns that sought to portray gunslingers and cowboys in a way that appealed to grown-up viewers, rather than youngsters. Gold Rush is certainly known for its colorful cast of characters who are always hoping to strike it rich at any given time. Arness died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home, said his business manager, Ginny Fazer. A family spokesman confirmed the news to the New York Times following his death. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. When trailers for the episode that James was ultimately fired from first aired, it led fans to believe that James was being fired from the crew not just for missing work days, but for possibly stealing gold. Summary: A mountain family in an attempt to avenge the death of one of their own capture Matt. Looking at this, it seems that there was a curse on the women of the Arness Family. He received his Alma Masters's from Beloit College. He attributed his acting success to luck. He was 88 years old. However, in 1971, he was forced to temporarily leave the show for just a handful of episodes because he had to undergo heart surgery after suffering a heart attack. Arness died of natural causes at the age of 88 on June 3, 2011, at Brentwood home in Los Angeles, California. He had so many plates and screws in his body from serious car accidents. But his poor vision and problem with eyesight was the major obstacle that blocked him from it. ", Todd continued, "He loved to Rock and he loved the ladies. And his mother's name is Ruth Duesler who was from Germany and was a journalist by the profession. James Arness (born James King Aurness; May 26, 1923 - June 3, 2011) was an American actor, best known for portraying Marshal Matt Dillon for 20 years in the CBS television series Gunsmoke.Arness has the distinction of having played the role of Dillon in five decades: 1955 to 1975 in the weekly series, then in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge (1987) and four more made-for-television Gunsmoke films . Moreover, there is no information regarding Blake's children. . Arness played marshal 6'7 M. Awarded a Star on the . Attended high school, but couldn't join the navy because of his height. 0 1,547 8 minutes read. His elder brother was actor James Arness.Graves also played airline pilot Captain Clarence Oveur in the 1980 comedy film Airplane! Instead, Arness was drafted into the Amy and was wounded in the Battle of Anzio. Sadly, his daughter Jenny Lee Arness who was also an actress committed suicide on May 12, 1975. Blake came back to play Miss Kitty in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge, the TV movie that brought everyone back to Dodge City, Kansas, one last time. Sadly, James suffered a stroke in the summer of 2014 and his body wasn't able to recuperate. Arness served in the United States Army and had the role of rifleman. He was born as the eldest son of father Rolf Cirkler Aurness and mother, Ruth Duesler. Arness landed roles on other westerns including "How the West Was . Arness' remains are interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. when did matt dillon's horse buck die; how many graves did matt dillon dig; buck the horse on gunsmoke; could james arness ride a horse; Jaime Beamer May 1, 2022. James Arness, famous as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, "Gunsmoke," was born to Rolf Aurness and Ruth Duesler Graves. 8 in its second season and went on to become the top-rated show on U.S. television from 1957 to 1961. As a result, he later got a whopping $20,000 an episode. Eventually, he appeared in popular films and TV series like Gunsmoke, Them!, The Thing From Another World, and The Alamo: Thirteen Days to Glory, to name a few. Starring: Tom Waters, Burt Reynolds, Ken Curtis, Dennis Weaver, Roger Ewing, Buck Taylor, James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Glenn Strange. James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke, died on June 3, 2011, at age 88 from [], By Daniel S. Levine rschlueter@bnd.com. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. With his wife, he welcomed four children;Rolf Aurness, CraigAurness, JimAurness, and Jenny Lee. Mon 6 Jun 2011 13.15 EDT. Gunsmoke, Amanda Blake died on August 16, 1989, at the age of 60. American leading man famed as the star of one of the longest-running shows in U.S. television history, Gunsmoke (1955). Arness played the marshal in all 20 seasons of Gunsmoke, as well as several made-for-TV movies in the 1980s and 1990s. James' situation was a picture-perfect example of what being "down and out" looks like, and Jack and Todd offered him an opportunity he just couldn't turn down. Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. In 1987, James reprised his role in Gunsmoke: Return to Dodge and four others made for television movies between 1987 and 1994. Born as James King Aurness on the 26th May 1923 in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. Born James Aurness in Minneapolis to a family of Norwegian heritage, Arness dropped the u at the outset of his film career. Arness was born on May 26, 1913, in Minneapolis and was the older brother of Mission: Impossible actor Peter Graves. He grew up in his hometown with his brotherPeter Graves. Arness went on to star in every season of Gunsmoke as Dillon until the series ended in 1975. Arness was married twice and both his wives were actresses,Virginia Chapman andJanet Surtees. For the whole 20 years the series was on the air from 1955 until 1975, he appeared in an impressive 605 of 635 episodes, according to IMBD . THE CREATION OF CHESTER. Genre (s): Drama, Action & Adventure. Article continues below advertisement. Actor James Arness is shown in this undated photograph provided by the Arness family. REUTERS/Courtesy Arness Family/Handout. Arness yet served as a rifleman during the Infantry Division in the 3rd range within the United States. Gunsmoke was the longest-running primetime television drama in television history, tied with the original Law & Order, until Law & Order: Special Victims Unit broke the record when its 21st season debuted . He was born James King Aurness in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His career was defined by his standout performances and his towering height of 6 ft 6 inches. He portrayed the character for 20 long years and made it into the hearts of every American who loved to watch TV. He also has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He died at the age of 75. A Game of DeathAn Act of Love Part 2, Fall TV Preview: A Guide to New & Returning Broadcast Shows. During the Gold Rush special, "Revelations", Todd said that James was constantly bowing out of episodes and filming days because he had developed an addiction to pain meds. He was a great guy and mechanic. Actor James Arness made a big name for himself while working on Gunsmoke. Never a dull moment. He was known for his relaxed demeanor, which was unlike many of his colleagues. After that film, Arness mostly focused on Westerns and co-starred with John Wayne in Big Jim McLain, Hondo, and The Sea Chase. That role, of course, was to play Marshal Matt Dillon in Gunsmoke. She was only 56 years old at the time. (Photo: Instagram) The actor's daughter, Jenny Lee, born on May 23, 1950, was the first child to leave the family. According to Celebrity Net Worth, when Arness died on June 3, 2011, his net worth was estimated to be $8 million. Arness starred in five made-for-television films based on the characters of Dodge City between 1987 and 1994. Gunsmoke was the longest-running primetime television drama in television history, tied with the original Law & Order, until Law & Order: Special Victims Unit broke the record when its 21st season debuted in 2019. A picture of James Arness from the show Gunsmoke. James Arness' Work After 'Gunsmoke' Even after his stint on "Gunsmoke," Arness would go on to star in other roles. Arness was best known for his 20 years on TV playing Matt Dillon, the U.S. marshal in the dusty wild-west town of Dodge City, Kansas, a role for which he was recommended by his showbiz mentor and friend, the film star John Wayne. Although not an immediate hit, Gunsmoke climbed up the ratings chart to No. All Rights Reserved. Born of Norwegian heritage (the family name, Aurness, had formerly been Aursness) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Rolf and Ruth Duesler Aurness. We were not that close at the end and lost touch for the last couple of years but I think we will meet again. Arness was also sent to General Hospital at Clinton Iowa during the time by the U.S. Army because of his short height, where he was the 1st one offered to have a landing craft for the determination of the complexity of the water. His adopted son, Craig, died at the age of 58 in December 2004. It's not an easy gig, however, which means that it attracts a certain, "brand" of person to the business, someone like James Harness, whose death is still being felt by fans some five years later. He also landed on Anzio Beachhead on January 22, 1944, which was mentioned in the Autobiography that stated about James Arness. Gunsmoke actor James Arness has died, leaving behind a letter he wanted released upon his death. After two years in the United States Army Air Force, he studied drama at the University of Minnesota and then headed to . Peter Graves was born Peter Duesler Aurness on March 18, 1926 on Minneapolis, Minnesota. How Did James Arness Died? He was one of the highest-earning actors of his era. Though his actual net worth was not clear, one thing is sure the actor had a lavish life. Arness had a dream to be a pilot as a naval fighter. Arness would become associated with Westerns, but his breakthrough role was in the 1951 science fiction movie The Thing from Another World. The actor died in his . He was honorably discharged in January 1945 and received several medals for his bravery, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and the World War II Victory Medal. However, appearing on the show did help James out a bit. He appeared inThem! A trailer before that specific development has Todd asking Jack, "what was James doing in the gold room?" He served as a radio announce for a Minneapolis radio station until he decided to hitchhike to Hollywood to star in films. When 88 year old James Arness, passed away on June 11,2011 he known for his landmark role given to him by his friend John Wayne. However, Arness made a left turn from westerns when he played a police officer in the short-lived series, McClains Law, co-starring with Marshall Colt. James Arness, the 6-foot-6 actor who towered over the television landscape for two decades as righteous Dodge City lawman Matt Dillon in "Gunsmoke," died Friday. Besides, the actor had a good relationship with his family and friends. When Gunsmoke left the CBS airwaves in 1975, Arness had set the record for the longest-running role played by a single actor in prime time. His father was a vendor for surgical instruments while his mom stayed home to tend the house and raise the kids she later became a newspaper columnist, and her marriage with Rolf . Over in the UK, the show became more popular there than in the United States. . He later played the character in five made-for-TV movies that aired between 1987 and 1993. An agent who represented John Wayne later introduced him to Arness, and Wayne took the actor under his wing, giving him roles in several of his movies.